Sustain Campaign - Topeka Collegiate School

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Successful Sustain Campaign

Topeka Collegiate's Sustain Campaign was its first capital campaign in over 15 years. Thanks to over 300 donors and countless volunteers, the Campaign brought extensive renovation, including the installation of new windows, an HVAC system, roofing, a campus-wide security system, and a safe, contemporary front entry. Additionally, a new building addition, "The Center for Curiosity, Awe, and Wonder," (made possible by Susan and Kent Garlinghouse and family) serves as a beacon of academic excellence to students and educators alike. The new building boasts four middle school classrooms, collaborative spaces, music and art classrooms. Replacing outdated trailers with these modern learning spaces is a major victory for the school. Moreover, The Center provides students with secure shelter during severe weather conditions.

The families, faculty, staff, and students are abundantly grateful to all who made these changes possible.

Sustain Campaign Timeline

In September, 2022, on the eve of its 40th year as the only independent school in the region, Topeka Collegiate gathered the school community to discuss the future. Over 200 individuals shared their vision for the small, innovative school.

Three pillars emerged within the school's new strategic plan: Educate; Connect; Sustain. Offering an 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio on a centrally-located eight-acre campus, Topeka Collegiate is well-positioned to grow.

As of June, 1, 2024, the school has successfully invested in its facilities with a completion of its $7.3 million Sustain Campaign, provided by over 300 donors, which allowed the school to build a new facility to replace the four mobile trailers previously used for twenty-eight years. The original school building underwent extensive renovation as well, including the installation of new windows, a brand new HVAC system, new roofing, a new campus-wide security system, and a safe, contemporary front entry.

The building addition named "The Center for Curiosity, Awe, and Wonder," opened on April 23, 2024 and serves as a beacon of academic excellence to students and educators alike. The new building boasts four middle school classrooms, collaborative spaces, music, and art classrooms. Replacing outdated trailers with these modern learning spaces is a major victory for the school. Moreover, The Center provides students with secure shelter during severe weather conditions.

The opening of "The Center for Curiosity, Awe, and Wonder" was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, beginning with eighth-grade students leading the community in the school song. The ribbon was ceremonially cut by the 8th-grade class and five teachers who collectively have nearly 150 years of teaching at the school. Susan and Kent Garlinghouse and their family named the new center, recognizing the school's commitment to inspiring and preparing every student for a successful future.

Topeka Collegiate celebrated the Sustain Campaign with the broader community during its "Evening on Eveningside," event on Saturday, April 27 and Donor Recognition Event on June 1, 2024. "We're thrilled to open this new facility and provide our students with the best possible learning environment that fosters critical thinking, curiosity, and creativity," said Dr. Lyn Rantz, Head of School at Topeka Collegiate. "This accomplishment could not have been possible without the generous support of our community. Thank you to all those who made this dream a reality. We are committed to rejecting mediocrity for our students’ experience."

Of the $7.3 M raised in gifts and pledges, $845,000 was dedicated to the School’s Endowment and the remainder to campus renovation and building construction. The Sustain Campaign funded the spaces and strategies to inspire young Eagles to soar to new heights for decades to come.