Rutgers Prep Breaks Ground on Transformational New Building

Rutgers Preparatory School marked an historic milestone on Saturday, September 27, with a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 25,000-square-foot building that will serve as a hub for innovation, collaboration and community.

The building, part of Unlocking Prep: A Campaign for Rutgers Preparatory School, will serve as the new “front door” to campus. It will welcome visitors, provide state-of-the-art academic spaces, and strengthen the campus as a place where students in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade can gather, learn, and create together.

Building Highlights

• 425+ seat Presentation Hall for assemblies, student performances, lectures and community events.
• Central courtyard with outdoor education areas to support hands-on learning and social connection.
• Collaborative learning suites on the second floor dedicated to Robotics, Architecture and Design, the Bloomberg Terminal Lab and a Maker Space.
• Flexible classrooms and conference spaces designed for innovative, cross-disciplinary programming.
• Secure new main entrance and atrium foyer to welcome visitors and guests.
• Admission suite and school store, enhancing the experience for prospective families and the broader school community.

Prior to the ceremonial turning of the soil, Rutgers Prep trustees and administrators addressed those in attendance, thanking donors and partners, while reflecting on what this new space will mean for the school community.

Board of Trustees President Ana Aymes, a Rutgers Prep alumna and parent of two alumni, called the project “a new, bold chapter in our school’s story.” She said, “This new front door to our campus is a space that will greet every visitor, host our largest gatherings, and create a dynamic area of collaboration. It represents more than just bricks and mortar. It also reflects our values as a community, our willingness to be innovative, open, and connected” 

Chief Operating Officer Rob Apgar praised the collective effort that led to the project’s approval and emphasized its broader meaning: “As Ana said, this building represents more than the sum of its parts. It represents our values and our mission to inspire students to discover and to support the pursuit of passions, whether it’s performing in an orchestra, concert, engineering, something brilliant in robotics or data analytics…[i]t’s about creating spaces for exploration, for gathering as a community, for embracing curiosity and leading with confidence.” 

Board Treasurer Gerry Tamburro underscored both vision and stewardship: “Today’s groundbreaking is one of the most significant investments we’ve ever made in the school’s history. And it’s not just about infrastructure. It’s about the imagination, community, and the future of our students…It’s a major commitment, and countless hours have been spent planning, and the board has been actively involved in every aspect of the development of this project.” He continued, “Our space prepare our students for colleges, careers, and citizenship; not as extras, but as essentials. And as treasurer, I assure you this project reflects careful financial planning and responsible stewardship.”

Head of School Steve Loy spoke about the deeper values reflected in the new space: “I see the faith in the students who graduated from Rutgers Prep. I see the trust in the students who are currently here, and I see the hope and the optimism for our students now and in the future, for our families now and in the future, to have this incredible opportunity…that’s why your involvement and your participation and your support allows us to move forward. It’s an absolutely terrific achievement for this community.” 

The event concluded with a celebratory toast and a ceremonial “first dig” involving trustees, school administrators and students, symbolizing the shared commitment to the school’s future.

The school anticipates construction beginning this fall, with an anticipated completion date in 2027.