This timeline is based on information currently available and is subject to change due to weather or other unforseen circumstances.

Early March:   Construction crews begin to mobilize

March - June:  Construction focus is on the addition

March 3 - May 18:  POD Squad loads identified sections of Campus West 

May 18 - 29: POD Squad major packing window 

May 29:  Final day of school for Pre CH and Children's House students

May 30 - June 7:  POD Squad major activation

Early June:  Construction teams begin to dismantle gym in preparation for remodel and begin remodel

June 5:  Final day of school for Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Middle School

Early June:  Demolition of Campus West can begin

June - August:  Remodel and Addition Activity concludes on August 31

September 1-3:  Teacher Set Up Days in Classrooms (after two preparation days in mid-August for meetings etc.)

September 3:  Homecoming Event

September 8:  First Day of School for 2026-27 School Year 

This start date is approved by SDW due to construction timeline. SDW public schools begin on September 1. 

MSOW 2026-27 Major Vacation Dates continue to follow SDW's calendar:

Nov. 25-27   Closed for Thanksgiving

Dec. 23 - Jan. 3   Closed for Winter Break (return Jan. 4)

Mar. 22 - Mar. 29  Closed for Spring Break (return Mar. 30)

View from University Avenue.

The large structure on the left is the new gymnasium. Immediately to its right is the new main entrance, creating a clear and welcoming front to the campus.

The prominent gray, pyramid-shaped roof visible further to the right is the current gymnasium, which will be remodeled into a two-story space. The Middle School will be located on the upper level and you can see one of their classroom windows in this rendering. The door just to the left of that window opens from the Middle School hallway onto an outdoor deck, providing additional learning and gathering space.

On the lower level of the remodeled gymnasium, two Upper Elementary classrooms will be integrated into the updated design.

View from the parking lot entrance at the corner of Summit Avenue and University Avenue.

The greenhouse on the right remains exactly where it is today—it is not being moved. Its current west-facing opening stays the same and provides a helpful reference point for how far the new expansion will extend.

To the right of the main entrance doors, you can see the window into the Global Montessori Educators Institute (GMEI) office—MSOW’s Montessori Teacher Education Program. This rendering also clearly illustrates the connection point between the new addition and the existing building.

The set of patio doors just to the right of the connection point belongs to Children’s House 2. Children’s House 5 will be remodeled to serve as the hallway connection space and will no longer function as a classroom.

Upper Elementary 2 (currently located at the end of the north expansion) will move into one of the newly created classrooms in the lower level of the existing gym. This shift allows spaces throughout the building to realign, opening a classroom for CH5 and reuniting UE2 with the other two Upper Elementary classrooms.

View of the new double-lane circle drive.

This rendering highlights the expansive two-lane, one-way circle drive at the main entrance, designed to make arrival and dismissal smoother and more efficient. The dual lanes allow drivers to carefully signal and move into the left lane when ready to exit, eliminating the need to wait for the car ahead to finish unloading before the line can move forward.

The addition of this entrance also creates a third arrival and dismissal location, further enhancing the overall carline experience. In addition to the new circle drive, MSOW will continue to utilize the Lower Elementary wing’s north door at the top of the current driveway, as well as the lower-level entrance that serves as our current main entrance.

The current plan is to use all three locations, with families using the entrance assigned to their youngest child; helping streamline the process while keeping it convenient for everyone.

The Library Gets Its Own Dedicated Space!

Our beautiful library, currently housed on wheeled shelving units that roll on and off the stage as performances require, will now have a permanent home. Above is a view looking out toward the main entrance of the library.

The new library will also feature a full wall of windows overlooking a courtyard, along with direct access to an outdoor patio, creating a light-filled, inviting environment for reading, research, and quiet reflection.

A separate connecting door will link the library to a pass-through space leading to the stage and gymnasium. This thoughtful design allows the library to also function as a green room during performances, adding flexibility while finally giving this cherished space a home of its own.

View of the Middle School space (above) from the northwest classroom corner, looking in from the hallway.

The footprint of the new Middle School is equal in size to our current gymnasium, providing a spacious and thoughtfully designed environment for approximately 60 students.

Within this area are three primary learning zones: a large collaborative workspace, featuring tables, chairs, soft seating, individual student work drawers, and material shelving, and two separate instructional rooms. Each of the two doors shown above leads to one of these instructional spaces. Glass walls connect the areas visually, allowing for transparency, supervision, and a strong sense of community while maintaining acoustic separation when needed.

In addition, the Middle School includes a small conference room, a kitchenette, and two dedicated bathrooms. Students will also have direct access to an outdoor deck, expanding opportunities for learning, gathering, and fresh air. This design supports both collaboration and focused learning while giving our Middle School students a space intentionally built for their growing independence.

Gymnasium and Bryant Family Theatre — View from the Northwest Corner

The new gymnasium (audience area for Bryant Family Theatre) will feature a full-size basketball court, with space planned for future bleachers and four additional hoops to support half-court scrimmages and drills. A large storage room will house athletic equipment, along with racks of folding chairs and tables, allowing the gym floor to remain fully open and flexible for daily use. A retractable curtain can divide the gym into two separate spaces when needed.

The Bryant Family Theatre stage is being thoughtfully recreated within the new gymnasium, offering a larger performance area and an upgraded electrical panel to accommodate future lighting and sound enhancements. The first opening to the right of the stage includes a stairway and ramp for stage access, as well as a walkway leading to an entrance to the library. The second opening provides access to the large storage room. The double doors connect to a hallway located across from the administration offices.

Because this space will host many school events, often involving set-up of tables and chairs, and guests walking across the floor in street shoes during all seasons, a high-grade luxury vinyl flooring has been selected. This durable surface will stand up to heavy use while helping reduce long-term maintenance costs.

Overhead View of the Expansion and Existing Building
Parking Lots and Retention Pond

This aerial rendering shows how the new addition integrates with the existing structures across MSOW’s nine-acre campus and provides a helpful perspective on updated parking and site features.

A new, expansive asphalt parking lot will be located in front of the school along University Avenue. Adjacent to the new gymnasium, an auxiliary lot will include gated access so it can also function as a basketball or game court during recess. 

At Campus West, the existing asphalt parking surface will be removed. The portion of that lot bordering Summit Avenue will be transformed into a required retention pond. Most of the time, this area will resemble a gently sloped, mowed grass kettle designed to manage stormwater effectively while maintaining a natural aesthetic. There is the possibility of additional auxiliary parking between the retention pond and the (former Campus West) play area.

At the main campus, the lower-level circle drive and parking areas will remain as they currently exist (despite what may appear in this rendering). The three Upper Elementary classrooms will each have direct access to outdoor spaces, collectively enclosed by a fence stretching across the entire front of the current lower level and extending to the newly remodeled Upper Elementary classrooms within the existing gym. The new Upper Elementary rooms will feature windows and glass doors similar to those added in the 2021 expansion, bringing in natural light and seamless access to the outdoors.

Overhead View of Addition's Floorplan - Gym, Offices, Library, Connection Point

Please note that the room labels shown in this rendering above may not be fully accurate at the detailed level and should not be relied upon for specific room assignments. This image is intended to provide a general overview of the addition’s layout.

Several refinements have been made since this version was created. For example, the bathrooms have been relocated closer to the library, and the secure double-door connection point was shifted slightly to accommodate a larger conference room. Adjustments such as these were thoughtfully made to maximize functionality and ensure the best possible use of each space.

Overhead View of Remodeled Spaces

Top Image:
The new Middle School will be constructed atop a steel support structure added to the existing gymnasium. To help with orientation: entry to the Middle School hallway will begin through what is currently the Director of Faculty & Staff’s office, located next to the Pre-Children’s House classroom. The hallway itself will extend above the existing stage area.

As detailed previously, the Middle School layout includes a large collaborative study area, two separate instructional classrooms, a small conference room, a kitchenette, and two dedicated bathrooms—creating a comprehensive space designed to support approximately 60 students.

Bottom Image:
The two Upper Elementary classrooms, UE1 and UE2, relocated to this remodeled space are shown here. Each classroom will include a kitchenette, bathroom, and dedicated storage space. An observation room is located between the two classrooms for use by MSOW’s Montessori Teacher Education Program, the Global Montessori Educators Institute (GMEI). It can also serve as a small conference room or therapy room.

UE3 will remain in its current location, directly across the hall from UE1 and UE2, maintaining proximity among all three Upper Elementary communities.

This image also illustrates that the existing stage area will be transformed. Rather than being divided into multiple small offices (as shown in the floorplan above), the remodeled stage space will become one larger, more flexible area that can adapt to evolving needs. The stage will be excavated so that the finished floor aligns with the hallway level, creating a seamless and fully integrated space.

A Related Update:  Over the past week, a major security upgrade at our existing main campus building has approached completion. As many of you may recall, much of this project was funded through the 2025 Gala Paddle Raiser. Gala fundraising dollars directly support MSOW students, and we are grateful for that investment. 

All existing cameras at the Main Campus have been replaced, and additional cameras have been added to strengthen coverage. All phones have also been replaced, improving internal and emergency communication capabilities. Entryway cameras were upgraded, and for the first time, outdoor speaker horns were installed—allowing announcements to be heard outside. These were successfully tested during our most recent fire drill.

The system now includes the capability to share real-time camera footage with law enforcement if ever needed. Camera feeds can also be displayed on designated monitors within the building. Activation of and staff training on these expanded features will take place in the coming weeks. Our security provider worked closely with our information technology partner to ensure proper integration, system stability, and data security.

Related to Expansion:  Security in the new expansion will be a direct extension of this upgraded system. The same phones, cameras, and monitoring capabilities will be used throughout the new addition. At the same time, select existing exterior doors will receive upgraded fob readers with cameras—similar to what families currently experience at the lower-level entrance.

We are also reminded each year by our assigned School Resource Officer that one of MSOW’s strongest security measures is our people. Our faculty and staff know our families. Familiarity and attentiveness are powerful safeguards. Employees here at the beginning of the year participate in annual safety training with our School Resource Officer and members of the Waukesha Police Department, including protocols for emergency response, communication, and reunification procedures.

In addition to these measures, we continue to:

• Conduct regular fire, tornado, and lockdown drills appropriate to each age level.

• Review and update emergency response plans.

• Maintain controlled access during arrival and dismissal.

• Utilize visitor check-in procedures and identification when appropriate.

Security is never a one-time project, it is an ongoing commitment. MSOW works to support both a warm and welcoming environment and a safe one too.

The MSOW Summer Program information flyer is scheduled to be released early in March.

In anticipation of summer construction, careful planning has already been underway to ensure a smooth and enriching program experience. Fortunately, MSOW’s Summer Program primarily operates in the upstairs classrooms; utilizing one Pre-Children’s House classroom, two Children’s House classrooms, two Lower Elementary classrooms, the Art Room, and the kitchen. The lower level is not central to daily summer operations.

As we discussed the plans, we remembered that we have navigated this successfully before! During the 2021 elementary wing expansion, construction continued throughout the summer and the program remained full, fun, organized, and full of energy.

This summer, the primary adjustments will be the loss of the west playground, the gym, and the lower-level entrance. These are manageable changes. Alternative outdoor spaces, adjusted movement plans, and a revised entrance location(s) will ensure that children continue to experience the rhythm, exploration, friendships, and Montessori work that define summer at MSOW.

Safety protocols will remain in place, construction areas will be securely separated, and daily operations will be thoughtfully coordinated to minimize disruption. If anything, children may gain a memorable, real-world lesson in construction and transformation—something Montessori environments naturally embrace.

We are confident that Summer 2026 will be every bit as enriching and well organized as in years past, even as exciting changes rise around us.

As part of the construction project, the west playground area located between the Main Campus and Campus West will close beginning in March and remain closed until construction is complete.

Some elements of the west playground will be relocated. Elements not impacted by the footprint of the new building and staying in their current locations include the greenhouse, shed, toddler swings, and toddler sandbox.

The rectangular pea gravel section bordered by low black panels will be removed, along with the two playground structures currently installed there; the large yellow teeter-totter and the green spinning structure. Both pieces of equipment will be relocated to other playground areas on campus so children can continue to enjoy them. The gaga pit will also be relocated.

While this closure represents a temporary change, we look forward to reopening the area once the project is complete and integrating it into our expanded campus.