Hope Hall School undergoes renovations and expansions ahead of 2023-2024 school year

Patrick Harney, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
·2 min read

Hope Hall School, located at 1612 Buffalo Road, is currently in the process of expanding and renovating multiple rooms over the summer, with all projects expected to be completed by September when school starts.

School officials said the school’s music room and woodworking center will be expanded and modernized as part of the upgrades. Additionally, a state-of-the-art science lab will be built, accompanied by the creation of a new inventory management center linked to the Woodworking Center. The former science lab will undergo conversion into a Social-Emotional Learning Center, officials said.

These developments are made possible by the four-year $18 million Hope for Tomorrow Campaign, a comprehensive fundraising initiative. In addition to the construction projects, the campaign will cover general repairs for the school, some of which are over 80 years old, officials said.

Construction work for the school renovations started in mid-February. Foundation digging and exterior wall construction were completed prior to the end of the school year. Asbestos abatement and wall removal were postponed until the students had finished their classes and the music and woodworking facilities were no longer in use. The construction area has been partitioned off to ensure the safety of the teachers and the 40 students participating in Hope Hall's Summer Program, according to a news release put out by the school.

"This is an exciting time for the school," said Sister Diana Dolce, S.S. J, the school's founder and executive director.

Founded in 1994, Hope Hall is a private, non-sectarian, not-for-profit school catering to students in grades 3-12 who face challenges in traditional classroom settings. The school welcomes students with various medical and neurological disorders, including ADD, ADHD, anxiety disorders, forms of Autism, Central Auditory Processing disorder, or a low average IQ. Hope Hall is dedicated to the belief that with respect and adequate time in a supportive learning environment, all students can become successful learners.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Hope Hall School undergoes renovations, expansions ahead of school year