Lakeview Academy unveiled the new home for its Fine Arts Department Monday, ahead of the school’s first day of classes.
The two-story Beverly Fine Arts Center houses all fine arts classes and programs for Kindergarten through 12th grade in the same building. Head of School John Simpson explained the school dreamed of building a permanent space dedicated to the arts for years, with Lakeview families coming together to fundraise to construct the $7 million facility through its Imagine Campaign.
“The fact that that building is paid for is quite the blessing,” Simpson said. “I am so thankful for a community that truly came together for our students at Lakeview Academy to [build] the Beverly Fine Arts Center.”
The space will accommodate Lakeview’s growing Fine Arts Department, which offers private piano and string instrument lessons and theatre classes. The 10,000 square-foot facility features nine classrooms, with dedicated practice spaces for both programs. Prior to the project, LA’s theatre department used Brenau University’s Downtown Center Theatre for productions and rehearsals.
The building also includes visual arts classrooms and a Flex Room for the school’s yoga classes. LA Middle School art teacher Leigh-Anne O’Brien said the new facility will inspire her students to be creative every day.
“It's such a nice space to house all of the Fine Arts Department under one roof,” O’Brien said. “We can all be together, and all the students get to come over here and experience this beautiful space…[there’s] so much openness to create.”
With the construction of the center complete, Simpson said the school is already working to turn former fine arts classes into a space for another popular LA program.
“Having the Beverly Fine Arts Center has also allowed us to open up some space in our Upper School,” Simpson said. “We are currently, right now, renovating that [former fine arts space] to have a state-of -the-art robotics space that will be complete by October 1.”
Lakeview’s Robotics program explores several STEM-related topics, including engineering, computer science and video production. The renovated area will be 2,000 square-feet and feature a technology classroom, robotics practice room, robotics workshop, eSports room and new technology equipment.
The school officially welcomed students back for the 2025-26 school year on Tuesday.
