DANVERS — St. John’s Prep broke ground on the Memorial Student Commons on June 4, 2026, marking a major milestone in the school’s Vision 2032 strategic plan and launching a transformative renovation and expansion project that will reimagine one of the school’s most historic buildings.
Head of School Edward P. Hardiman, Board Chair Thomas P. Riley, Class of ’75, members of the Board of Trustees, project partners from Flansburgh Architects, PROCON, and Scalora Consulting Group, representatives from Salem Five Bank and SAGE Dining Services, alumni, donors, and community supporters gathered to celebrate the occasion. The ceremony included remarks from Hardiman and Riley, as well as a blessing offered by Deacon Joseph Jasinski, ’06.
The Memorial Student Commons is a cornerstone project within Vision 2032 and represents a significant investment in the future of St. John’s Prep. Originally built in 1926, Memorial Dining Hall has served as a gathering place for generations of Prep students. Construction begins during Memorial Dining Hall’s centennial year, a fitting moment to honor Memorial Dining Hall’s legacy while preparing it to serve future generations of Prep students.
The new Memorial Student Commons will transform Memorial Dining Hall into a modern, welcoming space designed to better serve the needs of today’s students and community. The approximately $27.5 million renovation and expansion project includes expanded and modernized kitchen and servery facilities, flexible gathering spaces for programming and mentoring, a dedicated dining area for faculty and staff, and the relocation of Student Life offices to the center of daily activity.
“The Memorial Student Commons represents our commitment to creating spaces that strengthen relationships and support the formation of young men,” said Hardiman. “For nearly 100 years, Memorial Dining Hall has been a gathering place for our community. This transformation honors that legacy while creating a vibrant center where students can connect with one another and experience the relationship-centered environment that is at the heart of a St. John’s Prep education.”
The Memorial Student Commons project is designed by Flansburgh Architects and will be constructed by PROCON and guided by Scalora Consulting Group in its role as owner’s representative. Salem Five Bank is the project’s lending partner, and St. John’s Prep is partnering with SAGE Dining Services to create a dining experience that reflects the evolving needs of today’s students and supports the Commons’ role as the heart of daily campus life.
Construction is expected to continue throughout the 2026-27 academic year, with the Memorial Student Commons scheduled to open in August 2027 for the start of the 2027-28 school year.
