Waverly, Oakenshawe, and Ednor Gardens-Lakeside families are one step closer to getting the new Waverly Elementary/Middle School building they have been waiting for since 1998. On Tuesday, June 5, 2012, a groundbreaking ceremony was held on school grounds.

This new building represents a major victory for students and families who have long endured substandard school conditions. GHCC led and staffed an advocacy campaign that mobilized parents, residents and partners to demand an adequate school building, finally winning a state commitment in 2009 to fund a $22 million new building.  The new facility—a bright, nurturing, inspiring space that will model urban sustainability with LEED silver certification and green roof spaces—will be built behind the existing elementary school building.

Key partners in the advocacy campaign were Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke who championed the campaign for the new building and Delegate Maggie McIntosh, who provided critical help. Providing incredible support were the neighborhood associations: Waverly Improvement Association, the Ednor Garden-Lakeside Civic Association and the school’s faith partner, Cathedral of the Incarnation.

“Our efforts show that when the community unites to advocate for its school, great things can happen. We are thrilled that Waverly will finally have the kind of school building it deserves.” said Karen DeCamp, GHCC’s Director of Neighborhood Programs. “GHCC is committed, as part of the campaign to Transform Baltimore to continuing to advocate for modernizing schools citywide. A whole city of new and renovated schools will help us attract and retain families in city neighborhoods.”

GHCC staff and school principal Michele Ferris are leading a planning process over the next year to build quality programming, including selecting a new Advanced Academic program and build enrollment of families from Waverly, Ednor Gardens and Oakenshawe.

“The goal is to have a state of the art building and an excellent academic program that any family would consider a great choice,” said GHCC’s Executive Director Karen Stokes.

To see more images of the groundbreaking ceremony, visit us on Flickr.