Construction of the Mars STEAM Building

Phase Two of the Building for Our Future Campaign

The thoughtful reconfiguration of Schoolhouse, along with a new arts addition where the existing science wing is located will allow for expanded and improved learning and innovation spaces in support of Foxcroft's STEAM curriculum.

A Building Built by Women for Women

On January 23, 2026, more than 175 alumnae and community members were on hand to celebrate the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Foxcroft School’s newly completed Mars STEAM Building.

Standing here today looking at this incredible building, I'm struck by the power of a shared vision. The building is not just about the brick and mortar … It's our way of ensuring that the next generation of Foxcroft girls has the tools to lead in fields that may not even exist yet. I'm most proud of the fact that this building was built by women for women, supported by a multi-generational legacy. Girls, I hope you feel the weight of the support behind you. We believe in your intellect, your creativity, and your future.

Bernadette victoria russell, Class of 2003

I'm always impressed by the transformational nature of [this] School. It's a unique place for young girls to come and find out who they really are or who maybe they want to become, and that's done without the constraints of being told what they can or can't be. Now add a building that encourages girls to delve into areas not commonly associated with their supposed areas of expertise, and you have all the ingredients needed to inspire magic from the students. Foxcroft is a magical place … I'm so excited to see what it can do for the future.

pamela mars wright, Class of 1978

Hear Speeches from the Mars STEAM Building Ribbon Cutting

explore what's inside the mars steam building

Vision

As a School

Foxcroft has long been a leader of innovation and programming for educating girls. This project would bring us into the future as far as resources, technology, and physical space; better reflecting our pedagogy of holistic learning, and providing the right tools so that our educators can continue to provide a transformative education.

Foxcroft is a leader in educating girls and we will to continue to be the model for girls schools in terms of teaching and learning.
We will provide girls with the state-of-the-art resources and cutting-edge technology necessary for the transformative education we offer.
We will provide our educators with the spaces and resources necessary for them to execute a transformative education.

Within the Surrounding Community

Foxcroft has always valued service and community participation. With this project we can physically become a place of stronger community collaboration and enrichment; an incubator of problem-solving, a creative hub, a beacon of performing arts.

Build more than a School, build a community
These spaces will offer opportunities for stronger community collaboration and enrichment.

Globally

Foxcroft can adapt to evolving opportunities for women, and for careers that do not yet exist. This will allow us to continue to initiate well-rounded, highly educated members of the global community, with the skills necessary to fill leadership roles, address real-world problems, and make a positive impact on the world now.

We will be aware of our environmental impact, and green initiatives.
We will continue to grow well-rounded, highly educated members of the global community who are prepared to address real-world problems and make a positive impact on the world now.
Will strengthen our curriculum to embrace evolving opportunities for women and career trajectories so that our graduates will have the skills necessary to fill leadership roles and enact positive change well into the future.

Donate to the Building for Our Future Campaign

“You cannot go back — you must go forward, you must help the future, and you must take the fine, the splendid things of the past for your standards.

Charlotte Haxall Noland, Foxcroft's Founder

An Extraordinary Gift

In January 2023, Foxcroft announced a multi-generational gift of $22 MILLION from sisters Victoria Beth Mars ’74 and Pamela Mars Wright ’78 and their daughters Bernadette Victoria Russell ’03 and Charlotte Audrey Rossetter ’12.

This transformative gift to the STEAM phase of the Building for Our Future Campaign represents the largest collective gift as well as largest individual gifts given by living donors to the School in its 108-year history. It brings to life the vision of a STEAM building that provides a state-of- the-art facility for girls to develop the skills to excel in STEAM subjects.

Remarks from retired Head of School Cathy McGehee
Remarks from Kate Hastings ’78, Board Member

Remarks from retired Head of School Cathy McGehee

“The Mars gift will transform our buildings by creating new learning spaces that reflect and embody best practices for teaching girls the way girls learn best, which is at the heart of Foxcroft’s mission.”

“It also supports the initiatives in the School’s strategic plan, Planning Today for Foxcroft’s Tomorrow, which calls for “enhancing Foxcroft’s facilities to foster our students’ skills, knowledge, and leadership capabilities to become socially responsible citizens for a strong future.”

Remarks from Kate Hastings ’78, Board Member

“These two generations of women epitomize Foxcroft's legacy of educating girls who will become tomorrow's leaders, solve real-world problems, and who will make a positive impact on the world.”

“With the announcement of their gift of a new STEAM wing, our main academic building, Victoria, Pamela, Bernadette, and Charlotte have ensured that our facilities will be equipped with the resources, technology, and physical spaces to reflect better our pedagogy and curriculum for the future of our girls. On behalf of the Foxcroft Community, we are forever grateful for the Mars family’s vision in making such a positive impact on our school.”

Multigenerational Gifts to Inspire

We are also especially proud to share that we received five multigenerational gifts! Four of the $1 million or larger gifts have been given by women who are 40 or younger.

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Be a Part of Our Future

To find out more about this campaign, to share your thoughts and Schoolhouse stories, or to make a gift in support of the campaign, please contact us:

Office of Institutional Advancement
campaign@foxcroft.org
540.687.4510

Donate to the Campaign

Explore the Campaign Phases

$34 million

Funds raised to date of $65 million

Thank you for making an impact on our students' futures through your support.