FWCD
On a brisk January morning, Fort Worth Country Day students entered more than just a new building — they stepped into the dawn of a new era. As they crossed into the Annie Richardson Bass Lower School, it wasn’t just the echo of their footsteps on polished floors, but the beginning of a promise, a celebration, and a home.
This new addition to the FWCD campus is not just about its size; it serves as a visual testament to the power of innovation and the future of education. Spanning 32,720 square feet and costing $25 million, this space features a blend of modern architecture and sustainable design. On January 13, over 325 students in first through fourth grades entered this bright and purpose-filled environment. Just a year prior, this location was little more than a construction site. Today, the completed building stands vibrant and new, true to the promises made.
“The opening of the Annie Richardson Bass Lower School symbolizes our community’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional learning environments for our students,” said Eric Lombardi, FWCD’s head of school in a statement. “This building embodies the passion, ingenuity, and generosity of so many who believe in FWCD’s mission. It will elevate students' educational experiences while connecting them to the natural beauty of our 104-acre campus.”
Designed by Lake|Flato, with landscape architecture by Hocker Design and construction by Linbeck, the space flows like a melody. Natural light pours through every room, and the hum of curiosity fills the air. The 2,002-square-foot library, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, a cozy fireplace, and sliding glass doors, becomes a stage for young minds to explore new worlds, both in books and beyond.
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The outdoor learning areas and creative play spaces were all designed to inspire exploration, imagination, and collaboration. Meanwhile, science labs, a makerspace, and dedicated tutoring rooms foster collaboration and creativity at every turn. And standing proudly in the courtyard is “Chuck,” a 30- to 40-year-old Chinquapin Oak, lovingly relocated as a living tribute to growth and resilience. It’s a reminder that, like this tree, the spirit of the school is deeply rooted in tradition, while reaching towards the future.
Heather and Ryan Senter, chairs of the school’s Forward Together Comprehensive Campaign, captured this vision perfectly: “The Chinquapin Oak represents everything our new Lower School stands for—rooted in tradition, yet growing to meet the needs of the future. Seeing students chant ‘Let's Go, Tree!’ as it was moved into its new home last fall was the perfect reminder of what this project means to all of us."
The beauty of this building isn't just in its design; it’s in the collective heart that built it. More than 300 families, alumni, faculty, and friends rallied together to raise $40 million for the Forward Together Campaign, according to a release.
Their generosity didn’t stop with the Lower School. The campaign also funded new athletic fields and expanded endowment funds for tuition assistance, academic programs, and professional development.
“This is the largest and most ambitious comprehensive campaign in FWCD’s history,” said Lombardi. “The impact will be felt not just by today’s Falcons but by generations to come. We are deeply grateful to every donor, volunteer, and committee member who helped make this dream a reality. In the end, this is an absolutely stunning school building, but it is most importantly a space in which we will continue to build and celebrate community.”
The dedication on January 13 wasn’t just a ribbon-cutting ceremony. It was a celebration of what has been — and what is still to come.
“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in our school's history,” Lombardi said during the building dedication. “The Annie Richardson Bass Lower School is more than a building — it’s a hub for creativity, a sanctuary for learning, and a testament to what we can achieve when we move forward together.”
