Schiff Center - Seven Hills School

Our future begins with a new vision for Seven Hills: to build a school where every day gives every student a chance to connect with someone or something that inspires them.

The Schiff Center

This stunning new space at the heart of our school will be a hub of inspiration and creativity all year round, enriching the lives of every Seven Hills student by supporting our performing arts programs and connecting our students to a broader world of ideas.

A place where our community can gather to celebrate accomplishments and explore new perspectives.

Building on the traditions of Books for Lunch and Creating Conversations, we envision a vastly expanded series of assembly programs and special events—including visits from visiting artists, entrepreneurs, scientists, politicians and community activists, and thought-leaders from our community and beyond who will provoke spirited debate and inspire students in all four divisions to consider new ideas and points of view.

A space where our extraordinary performing arts and music programs can continue growing.

From innovative musical theater and drama to exciting instrumental and choral performances, our performing arts programs have grown tremendously over the past decade. Yet today, most of our students’ inspiring work is confined to Founders Hall: a multi-purpose venue with seriously limited technical capabilities, where performers who exit stage left must circle the outside of the building to enter stage right.

Fast Facts

45,000 square feet, built on the site of our current tennis courts (adjacent to the Upper and Middle School buildings)
Auditorium seating for approximately 500 people
Wing and fly spaces to support larger casts and full-scale scenery
Green room and dressing rooms
Dedicated rehearsal spaces
State-of-the art digital technology to support presentations and performances
Three large classrooms for our theater, choral, and instrumental ensembles

Lasting Impact

A space large enough to bring our entire community together to be challenged and inspired by guest speakers, events and awards ceremonies, and academic competitions
Unparalleled performance facilities that will give our performing arts and music programs the space and technical capabilities they need to continue expanding and flourishing
By moving the rehearsal and performance spaces for our performing arts classes into the Schiff Center, we’ll free up space in the Donovan Arts Center that our visual arts programs and other classes can use

With just one building, we’re solving so many of our current challenges—and opening up so many possibilities for our future.

Tina Kuhlman, Chair of Fine & Performing Arts Department

Any moment at Seven Hills can be that moment when something clicks.

When I think about what our arts programs make possible, one moment in particular stands out: the way one audition changed my former student Kenneth Remaklus’ life.

Like every good school, Seven Hills is a place where the sky’s the limit for talented, dedicated students with defined goals. But in my mind, what truly sets Seven Hills apart is the way we empower students who might not yet know what they’re good at, or where their interests lie. That was Kenneth. He was a talented and diligent student, but wasn’t involved with many activities outside the classroom: not because the drive wasn’t there, but because he hadn’t yet discovered a pursuit that truly inspired him. But after a teacher suggested he try out for a play—and his friends encouraged him, thinking he’d do well—Kenneth auditioned and was cast in one of the main roles. That opportunity sparked a passion and showed him a path: Kenneth is now majoring in musical theatre at Otterbein University.

Seven Hills saw something in Kenneth, and gave him the chance to find out for himself what he could do.

Make a Campaign Gift

The active, engaged minds that define our Seven Hills community need a space to come together in conversation and creativity—a space that we simply do not have on our campus today. With your support, we can build the Schiff Center that connects and inspires all of Seven Hills for generations to come.