FAYETTEVILLE — Officials with The New School announced Friday that two families have pledged "lead gifts" totaling $13 million that will help the Fayetteville private school add high school and develop a campus master plan.
In addition, the school plans to begin a campaign to raise money for other improvements, including a new middle school building, new athletic facilities, expansion of dining, science and innovation labs and an endowment to support financial aid and academic programs, a news release said.
The J.B. Hunt family pledged $10 million, while Todd and Shelley Simmons pledged $3 million to the effort, the release said.
The late J.B. Hunt and his wife, Johnelle, founded J.B. Hunt Transport in Lowell, and Todd Simmons is CEO and vice chairman of Simmons Foods and Affiliates in Siloam Springs.
“We've had grandchildren enrolled in the New School for almost 29 years and it's been so beneficial to their education and development," said Johnelle Hunt in the news release. "I'm thrilled to be part of giving back and paying it forward so that same opportunity can be available for many others in the future.”
The New School's board of trustees on Thursday approved the addition of high school grades, beginning with ninth grade this fall. A task force of parents, staff and board members researched and recommended the changes, the release said.
The New School enrolls more than 360 students, from preschool to eighth grade.
The school's 25-acre campus is at 2514 New School Place in Fayetteville. The school completed an expansion in 2014 that included a 350-seat auditorium, 12 preschool classrooms and a "creative play center."