Following an off-hours fire that rendered the administration wing, library and one of the two academic wings unsuitable for reuse, Dickinson Catholic Schools (DCS) embraced the opportunity to turn tragedy into triumph. Together with Habeeb & Associates Architects, they embarked on a Master Plan encompassing the 7-12th grade High School, and the two Pre-K-6th schools under their direction. H&A also simultaneously conducted fast-track renovations to the salvageable building sections and installed modulars in order to ready the school for the fall semester which was just 5 months away.

The H&A Master Planning team conducted intensive on-site discussions with DCS leadership, as well as one-on-one interviews with Department Chairs, in order to learn about the culture and needs of the school. We developed online surveys to obtain input from the remaining faculty, alumni, and parents. Conclusions drawn from the interviews, surveys and physical conditions assessments guided the direction of the Master Plan and supported the development of a one-building Pre-K-12th combined school. An affirmative Board vote occurred and paved the way for the locally historic project to become reality.

Phase 1, which has been completed, added a new 66,000 sq. ft. educational wing, 3,600 sq. ft. chapel, and a student commons/theatrical wing to the current High School. The additions featured a variety of specialty spaces such as a robotics lab, music room, culinary arts and life skills classroom, a combined library and media center, and a black box theatre.