The Kent Place School Leadership Center

Kent Place School, a leading independent school for girls in Summit, New Jersey, engaged JCJ to plan and design a new Leadership Center that brings together wellness, athletics and the performing arts in support of the school’s holistic approach to education. Conceived as a shared destination for the entire campus community, the new, forward-looking facility expands opportunities for learning, creativity, performance and student well-being.

Developed through an extensive planning process involving school leadership, faculty, trustees, alumni and other stakeholders, the project established a program that reflects both current priorities and the school’s long-term vision. The planning effort addressed the broader campus context, evaluating how the building could best strengthen campus organization, enhance arrival and create meaningful connections to existing academic and student life facilities.

Situated on a gently sloping site adjacent to the school’s main entrance, the 56,000-square-foot building introduces a contemporary architectural expression that complements the campus’s historic Tudor-style character. Through the thoughtful use of compatible materials, scale and color, the design establishes a distinctive new identity while respecting the architectural heritage of the 23-acre campus.

Designed to support a wide range of academic, athletic and community activities, the Leadership Center includes a gymnasium, indoor running track, fitness and wellness facilities, dance studio, a 425-seat auditorium, a flexible performance venue and support spaces. Together with the renovation of the existing field house, the project creates a vibrant campus destination that advances student wellness, leadership and engagement.