Santa Barbara Middle School, announced head of school Brian McWilliams yesterday, will move to the Brooks Institute of Photography’s Jefferson Campus next fall. “After an exhaustive search, we’re thrilled to achieve long-term site stability on one of the premier educational campuses in Santa Barbara,” said McWilliams in a written statement. “This marks a historic moment in our 34-year history.”
SBMS, an independent school currently located on Garden Street which serves grades 6-9, hopes to raise $2.68 million by June 2011 that will fund a number of campus improvement projects; a quarter of that amount has reportedly been raised so far. There are plans to build new enhanced science and creative design labs, a performing arts studio, a theater and technology center, new exterior landscaping, special “shops” to support the school’s outdoor education program, and an outdoor meeting area capable of holding the entire student population.
Ernie Brooks, co-owner of the property and son of the founder of Brooks Institute of Photography, said, “We chose to work with Santa Barbara Middle School because of their passionate and innovative approach to quality education in today’s changing environment.”