Announced at the start of the school year, the 2025–2026 Shattuck renovation has sparked nostalgia within the Nobles community, as students and faculty reflect on their memories and savor their last few months of life in the schoolhouse. Home to many departments and classrooms, Shattuck has served as the center of student life for a century. A stroll through Shattuck’s Baker Street includes the iconic creaky floors, the Class III and IV alcoves, and a glimpse into Nobles’ history, with pictures of graduated classes lining the hallway. However, after Shawmut Design and Construction begins the reimagining of Shattuck on June 9, 2025, the heart of campus will be forever changed.
Since Head of School Cathy Hall entered the Nobles community eight years ago, it was instantly clear to her that Shattuck needed some sprucing up. “I have known since I arrived at Nobles that Shattuck Schoolhouse was in need of some serious love. A 100-year-old building that was last renovated three decades ago, this cornerstone of our campus was clearly ready for an update,” Hall said. While the school originally planned to only spend money on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and plumbing systems, other aspects of the building that needed improvements became numerous, and the idea of renovation emerged. Hall said, “As we started to move through the strategic planning process, we had an ‘aha’ moment that this could be more than just a renovation–it could be a reimagination.” The opportunity to create a fresh schoolhouse seems to mark the start of a new Nobles era, aimed at aligning more with the school’s current values. “This is the first big project in our strategic plan, and it feels like a great statement to make about our core values and the direction of the school for Shattuck Schoolhouse to lead the way,” Hall said.
“This is the first big project in our strategic plan, and it feels like a great statement to make about our core
values and the direction of the school for Shattuck
Schoolhouse to lead the way.”
Throughout planning, the historic charm and homey feeling of Shattuck were front of mind. Director of Buildings and Grounds Mike McHugh said, “We certainly didn’t want to change the character of the building and the feeling students have when in it.” Despite the modern take on the building recently unveiled in the design plans, those involved in the project vow that, ultimately, the homey atmosphere of Shattuck will not drastically change. “It is going to feel like a different home in some good ways. But if we do it right, it will feel very familiar to our Nobles community,” Hall said. With this renovation, Shattuck’s square footage will roughly double, giving the building a more open feeling. Key aspects of the renovation include an expanded college counseling suite, counseling offices, a nurse’s office, DEI department offices, expansion of the Academic Support Office, and a student center with soft seating and a cafe open throughout the academic day. Some crucial characteristics of the building will remain when the community flows back into Shattuck in February of 2026. McHugh said, “When Shattuck was renovated in the 1990s, we didn’t get rid of the creak in the floor back then, and we aren’t going to get rid of it now. Every student who’s ever been here remembers that creak.”
Students appear to be enthusiastic about an upgraded Shattuck, as many describe the building as being old and even a bit gross. “The current vibe is kind of musty. I’m excited about the renovation,” Mairin Swords (Class III) said. Amidst the general excitement, the plan’s modernity seems to have surprised students, as they emphasize how different Shattuck will supposedly look. The preservation of the building’s historical charm makes some students feel more comfortable with the renovation.“I hope that Shattuck keeps its old Nobles vibe, but I’m excited to see how different it will look,” Jacinta Wangari (Class II) said.
One of the most prominent student sentiments about the renovation regards the photos of graduated classes, plaques, and other memorabilia of Nobles’ history that line Shattuck. “I think that they should have pictures from the old Shattuck around and still keep all of the old photographs of everyone so that it still has that historic feeling,” Camilla Mangal (Class III) said. While it isn’t the sleekest, Shattuck’s quaint atmosphere seems to charm many students. Rachel Zhao (Class II) said, “I like the pictures on the walls. It’s a sign of the history of the school and an emblem of what this whole building has been through and all of the people it’s hosted in the past. Bringing the current pictures into the new Shattuck would make it seem more familiar.”
However, some involved in the project view Shattuck’s renovation as an opportunity to move away from the school’s history. Nobles’ Archivist Heidi Charles said, “This opportunity will allow the school to present its history in a different way, which is more welcoming to everyone since there are a lot of people who have walked through the school hallways not feeling invited.” While the exact plan for the current Shattuck decor is not finalized, it appears that not all of them will make it into the new building. “I don’t know what the plan is in terms of what current photos in Shattuck will go back up after the renovation, but it currently looks like we’re moving away from that,” Charles said. The exclusion of the historic photos would make the significant change of moving into the new building even more drastic. However, Hall said, “We are approaching what is on our walls at Shattuck very thoughtfully, ensuring it is reflective of both our history and our present. We will be making changes that should feel good to both graduates and current students.”
“I hope that Shattuck keeps its old Nobles vibe, but I’m excited to see how different it will look.”
Shattuck’s renovation is set to start immediately after school lets out in June, going through February of 2026, meaning that most of the 2025–2026 school year will take place outside of Shattuck. Classes are set to relocate into abstract learning spaces on campus, such as the Arts Center lobby, Foster Gallery, the warming room of the Omni, the Castle, and film rooms in the MAC. Additionally, trailers will be located outside on the Beach. Unfortunately, this means that the Beach will be off limits next fall. Despite the disruption, Hall believes that the construction period will serve as an opportunity for the school to make new memories and have fun embracing the adjustments: “We’re going to embrace the disruption and look for ways to make it fun and create new memories,” Hall said. The renovation’s disruption to the school year also frustrates some, especially those of the rising senior class. “It’s annoying how our senior year is being disrupted, especially since some of our class came in during Covid. We won’t be able to do any Beach games, go to the cafe, or just have our regular hangout spots,” Wangari said. Although the project will make the first semester difficult, the timeline allows students to experience the new Shattuck towards the end of the second semester. “It was very intentional to make sure that the 2025 and 2026 senior classes both end their school year in Shattuck Schoolhouse. That was a big priority for us and is why we are waiting until just after graduation in June to begin the project,” Hall said.
While the student body seems to have some concerns and mixed feelings, the administration is generally feeling positive about the renovation. With the new look and function of Shattuck, a new era for the school will begin.
