May 19, 2026

Dear Members of the CCES Community,

For those of us in the world of education, we really see every year in the life of a school as “transformational”; it is the core nature of education from August to May to help guide and shape young people as they continue to become the people they will be in life.

But as this school year comes to a close, and as members of the Class of 2026 have repeatedly noted – including at yesterday’s Young Artists’ Series and Celebration–this has been particularly notable as a year of transformation on all fronts.

The transformation happening within each student and in our shared community has been reflected more broadly in the physical transformation of our campus as the Build for the Future campus plan has come to life. 

With new spaces rising across campus, the vision comes more fully into view each day, and there is an unmistakable sense of excitement and hope throughout the CCES community. What once lived in hopes, conversations, and drawings is now taking shape before our eyes. The reality is creating extraordinary opportunities for our students, faculty, and families for generations to come.

After working through the complexities of permitting, much of the work up to this point has been focused on critical infrastructure: sitework, curb and gutter, electrical, plumbing, grading, and seeding. While many of those elements are largely unseen, other pieces have given physical presence to the project: foundations, walls for both the TIDE Center and Sports Performance Center, poured concrete slabs, and–this past week–the installation of our first steel girders and spans.

Key elements such as the loop road are nearly complete, and much of our core work will be activated in time for another edition of our fully-enrolled Summer Encounters offerings. And while there will be continued adjustments and inconveniences as we finish up the loop road along Cavalier Drive, our building partners have managed to keep the disruptions to a minimum. 

With the understandable caveat that weather can affect things, this summer will see a new entrance and Welcome Center, new sidewalks formed, steel erection on both the Sports Performance and TIDE Center completed, and new lacrosse/field hockey/soccer fields established before we return in August.

Looking ahead, we will largely keep the parking situation as it has been for the next school year, but we also remain on schedule to finish dry-in for both buildings by November and outer “skin” to be wrapped up by late-2026. As of now, we remain on pace to finish the buildings by July of the following year so that we can fully occupy everything by the time we return for classes in the fall of 2027.

Perhaps even more inspiring than the construction itself has been the remarkable generosity and spirit of our CCES community. Families from every division, every stage of the school journey, and every corner of our community have stepped forward to help bring this vision to life through their support, encouragement, and belief in our school's future.

While we have accomplished so much together, important work remains. In the months ahead, we invite additional families to join this historic effort with a first-time gift or an increased commitment. This effort has been driven both by families connected to CCES for generations and by families who are enjoying their very first year in our community. Regardless of how long one has been a part of this place, each act of generosity has been defined by the same thing: hope, faith, and trust in the future.

There is something truly meaningful about standing together in a moment like this–one that will shape the CCES experience for future generations of Cavaliers. We are profoundly grateful to all who have helped lead the way, and we look forward with hope and excitement to those who may choose to join them.

In closing, I offer this: Our edition of this year’s yearbook, The Hellenian, is titled, “Building Our Story.” I had nothing to do with the Senior Editors choosing that title, but when it was revealed yesterday, I saw and heard how sensitive, thoughtful, and hopeful the Class of 2026 is. They understand the moment, can anticipate the future, and recognize their part in making this community even better than it is.

The CCES experience is about building stories, and this chapter is one of the finest we’ve ever written.

I hope that everyone enjoys the summer and that you are ready to welcome the 2026-2027 school year with even more excitement, energy, and promise.

With gratitude,

David Padilla
Head of School