Former Provost, Jonathan Cole, began to envision a school to serve children of employees of the University and the neighborhood in the early 1990s. In February 1998, Dr. Cole assigned Assistant Provost for Special Projects Gardner Dunnan to work on the planning of such a school. In March of 2000, at the recommendation of former President George Rupp, the Columbia University Trustees unanimously approved moving forward with the creation of The School at Columbia University. The building in which The School and some faculty residences are housed began construction in the fall of 2001. Opening day for The School was September 17, 2003.
Some key moments in time:
December 6, 2001: Groundbreaking at 110th Street
February 6, 2002: First Meeting of Curriculum Design Team
Summer 2002: First Family Open House
December 2002: First Community Lottery
August 11, 2003: Faculty and Staff Workshops Begin
September 17, 2003: SCHOOL OPENS to K-4th grade
