The Lower School playground will be completely reimagined to create a safe, engaging space for every student. Featuring a modern, absorbent surface, age-appropriate equipment, and a new basketball half-court, it will encourage movement, play, and connection—supporting each girl’s physical, social, and emotional growth.
Our treasured Campus Green will be enlivened through its transformation into an outdoor living and learning center anchored by the Gazebo Commons. Gazebo Commons will provide shade and definition, and create a flexible venue for classes, lunchtime conversations, and community celebrations.
Two beautiful but underutilized patios in the Hillman Family Upper School will be outfitted with tables, chairs, and native plantings, creating inviting spaces where Upper School students can study independently, work on group projects, share a meal, or simply pause and recharge.
The Gallery will be redesigned as The Tiger's Den, a warm, welcoming hub for the entire Ellis community. Round tables and comfortable chairs will support faculty meetings, parent gatherings, and student group work. Soft seating areas will invite students and adults to linger and connect. A new coffee bar will create a natural point of hospitality, welcoming parents, teachers, and alumnae.
The Ellis Store will invigorate school spirit, offering thoughtfully designed, high quality merchandise that students, families, and alumnae will be proud to wear. The store will heighten Ellis’s visibility and reinforce our identity.
The Target Play Area—one of our most beloved outdoor spaces—will be transformed into a thoughtfully designed environment that enhances student well-being, curiosity, and connection. Rooted in environmental stewardship, it will feature native plantings, pollinator support, improved water management, and natural materials, creating a more sustainable and engaging setting for play and exploration.
The ELLIS Marquee will strengthen the school’s visibility. This bold structure will face Fifth Avenue, one of Pittsburgh’s main traffic corridors. In addition, an illuminated sign on the Hillman Family Upper School will glow as a beacon of learning and leadership.
| Space | Pledge or Gift Amount | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| PLAYGROUND | ||
| Playground | $350,000 | 1 |
| Athletic Court | $75,000 | 1 |
| Tiger Target | $50,000 | 1 |
| Double Tower Climber | $50,000 | 1 |
| Cottage | $20,000 | 1 |
| Swing Set | $15,000 | 1 |
| “Loop-Hopop” (modular climbers and seating) | $10,000 | 6 |
| Benches (RESERVED 2 of 6) | $10,000 | 6 |
| Theatre Stage (RESERVED) | $10,000 | 1 |
| Snail Springer | $5,000 | 1 |
| Forest Bug Springer | $5,000 | 1 |
| Natural Table and Sitting Posts (RESERVED) | $3,000 | 1 |
| Water Lily Stools (RESERVED) | $3,000 | 1 |
| Spica (balance spinner) RESERVED (2) | $3,000 | 1 |
| Spinner Bowl (RESERVED) | $3,000 | 1 |
| CAMPUS SPACES | ||
| The Campus Green | $500,000 | 1 |
| Gazebo Commons | $250,000 | 1 |
| The Tiger’s Den (RESERVED) | $250,000 | 1 |
| ELLIS Marquee | $150,000 | 1 |
| Native Plantings and Landscaping (RESERVED) | $100,000 | 1 |
| The Ellis School Store | $100,000 | 1 |
| Upper School Patio (second floor) | $75,000 | 1 |
| Upper School Patio (third floor) | $50,000 | 1 |
| Lower and Middle School Reception Area | $25,000 | 1 |
| Upper School Reception Area | $25,000 | 1 |
