At a schoolwide celebration on May 13, Manlius Pebble Hill School announced the launch of a multi-million dollar initiative to strengthen virtually every dimension of the School. Unanimously approved by the MPH Board of Trustees, the MPH Rising initiative has been made possible by gifts from alumni, parents, and friends of the School.

MPH Head of School Jim Dunaway called the decision “a tremendous step forward for Manlius Pebble Hill School — a step that affirms and advances the school’s mission in ways that deeply enhance the student experience.”

The Mezzalingua Family Foundation is fully funding the building projects, with construction beginning this summer. Board President and MPH alumnus John Mezzalingua called the MPH Rising initiative a “vital next step” in the school’s long history that will invigorate and solidify Manlius Pebble Hill School’s place in Syracuse. The Foundation’s support, along with the gifts of numerous friends, parents and alumni has allowed MPH to emerge with renewed financial stability and a bright future.

MPH Rising targets several key areas:

• New and upgraded facilities. Construction of new arts and athletics facilities beginning in summer 2016. Other upgrades include enhanced music spaces and an outdoor learning “STEAM Park.”

• Academic programs. Support for innovative science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) programs that fully prepare students for a rapidly changing, highly technical world.

• Financial assistance for students. A restructured financial assistance program that enables the most qualified students to attend MPH regardless of their financial means.

• Faculty compensation. A multi-year plan to strengthen and increase overall faculty compensation, with the goal of attracting and retaining the best teachers from Central New York and beyond.