A NEW DAY
DAWNS
From 1959 to 2019, plenty has changed in the world, in
Kentucky, and at our school, which now has 1,000%
more students than on the inaugural opening day. The
name, “The Lexington School,” in large, white letters
bookended with green pin oak leaves on the brick wall
directly above the front door canopy, proudly proclaims
the newly opened, two-story Academic Center.
Susan O’Brien, Chief Financial Officer, speaks for
many at the school when she says, “Our new, grand
entrance is our central place on campus for visitors. It’s
welcoming, not crowded.”
Showing powerful continuity, Congleton-Hacker
Company (previously White and Congleton) has been
the general contractor for every new addition since they
completed the 1971 expansion of The Lexington School.
Jim Hacker ’81, President and Chief Executive Officer,
says, “It was an honor and a privilege to be involved in
building the new Academic Center and renovating many
areas of the existing facility. This project is a tremendous
addition and will allow TLS to continue providing a first-
class education for its students.” Huntley Hacker ’12, Jim,
and his wife Shelley’s son who worked on this project
as well, is the third Hacker generation of the TLS and
Congleton-Hacker alliance, following in the footsteps of
his grandfather, Larry Hacker.
Life-sized, brown silhouette trees on the inside wall
welcome TLS family and visitors into the vibrant
entrance hall. At the front desk, Annie Anderson,
Assistant to Head of Lower School, and Amanda Brislin,
receptionist, share duties. Mrs. Anderson says, “This
area is so open, I can see the entire space out front and
throughout the back, all the way over to Scarlet Gate.”
Students often gather here during break or indoor
recess; there’s plenty of elbow room. From this vantage
point, art classes sometimes enjoy drawing the trees,
both the silhouettes on the wall and those growing
outside in the front driveway circle area. The large,
comfy chairs are favorite spots for conversation or
homework, with tables big enough for backpacks while
students wait to be picked up for appointments or in
the late afternoon.
Mrs. Anderson points out, “Middle Schoolers come
down here to play chess or magic cards or other games.
They leave their middle school hallway for a change of
pace and scenery, socializing in this additional space.
I used to know them as lower school students; now
they’re older and bigger, and I enjoy seeing them again.
They know they belong here.” For her part, Ms. Brislin
explains, “From my desk at the original front door, I
got to know Preschoolers and Middle Schoolers, so
it’s a treat for me now to be with Lower Schoolers.
Everybody loves the openness of this one, central
entrance space. Not a day goes by that I don’t hear
positive comments.”
It’s where parents meet and mingle, too, to chat
and drink coffee. This space was designed for people
to come together and enjoy each other’s company, to
spend time together, to get to know each other better.
It’s a big space, yet it’s not wasted space. Every bit is
used. It’s functional and appreciated, even the niche to
the right of the library door – that little corner is where
a young student can move outside the crowd and tie a
shoe, and it’s where posters go for special events. Details
are important.
“Our new, grand
entrance is our central
place on campus for
visitors. It’s welcoming,
not crowded.”
—Susan O’Brien,
TLS CFO
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