Maumee Valley Country Day School remains the only pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade college preparatory school in our region.  Originating in 1884 as the premiere all girl’s school in the Old West End, the school has grown to accommodate a diverse group of students, faculty and staff, which has led to its renovation and expansion.
A new vision
The ground on the Reynolds Road campus was broken in May of 2009.  The Smead building, which contains the facilities’ entire Early Childhood Program,  was completed in August.  However, the addition of the school’s wilderness room, in which vast views of the woodsy surroundings will leave little ones inspired as they watch the animal population while conducting experiments, will be completed by November.  The project has been entitled Under One Roof as it will include enclosed walkways to connect the Upper School, housing ninth through twelfth grades; the Lower and Middle schools, home to students kindergarten through sixth grades; along with the Middle school for students in seventh and eighth grades; the Dining Room; the Millennium Theater and the Physical Education Complex making Maumee Valley County Day completely under one roof.  “There are going to be a lot of exposed beams, the building is very modern, while incorporating peaceful colors like blues and greens,” said Meren Tabora, Director of Marketing and Communications at Maumee Valley.
21st century learning
The newly constructed classrooms in both The Upper School and The Lower School will feature flexible classroom spaces allowing students and educators to communicate and work together, often linking subject matter.  Science labs in the Upper School are featured as a part of the classroom setting and a multimedia production facility with state-of-the art equipment allows for 21st century research and learning methods.  The school’s Millhon Auditorium will feature the new library and multi-media center.  This center will allow students to take advantage of distance learning  applications that allow video calls with other classes or speakers in other states or even other countries. 
Silver and Gold
The school’s new expansion is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified.  The LEED system measures how ecologically responsible a building can be.  The international standards are recognized in all of the school’s additions and renovations.  Maumee Valley holds 40 points and currently qualifies for Silver status on the LEED system, with hopes of achieving Gold status.  LEED buildings are designed to reduce operating costs, conserve energy and water, limit harmful greenhouse gas emissions and maintain a healthier atmosphere for occupants.  “All the materials that can be recycled, have been, we’ve made great strides to be environmentally responsible in order to become LEED certified,” said Tabora.  The additions and renovations have all been designed by Toledo-based architect and Maumee Valley alumna Kate MacPherson of MacPherson Architects. 
Naturally learned
The new Upper School uses massive amounts of natural light to encourage learning amongst the students.  Studies have shown students perform better with large amounts of natural light.  Study nooks and open areas provide students with places to congregate, perform presentations and host speakers.  A new lecture theatre with tiered seating allows for classes to engage with live speakers and perform presentations.
Students at Maumee Valley are engaged in hands-on learning, and the school is committed to its mission of promoting an openness to exploring education.  Students will be connected not only through 21st century learning methods, but now also by their physical surroundings as well.