The Key School in Annapolis Holds Ceremonial Groundbreaking for New Gateway Building, Opening Planned for Fall 2027

The Key School in Annapolis marked a new phase in its plans for continued growth recently with a ceremonial groundbreaking for its new Gateway Building, a project designed to expand learning and administrative space on the school’s campus.

Related: About: The Key School

The new building will provide dedicated learning spaces for Key’s growing Lower School, create a new entrance for prospective families visiting the school and add office space for faculty and staff.

According to the school's Facebook page and website, the project is intended to help the school respond to growing demand from families seeking a Key education while maintaining the close-knit, student-centered experience it says defines the school community.

The additional Lower School space is expected to support that division as it continues to expand, while the new admissions entrance is intended to provide a more welcoming point of entry for prospective families. Key said the additional administrative space will also allow faculty and staff to better serve students and families.

Anne Arundel County Executive Mr. Steuart Pittman joined members of the Key School community for the ceremonial groundbreaking and delivered remarks. Members of the school’s Board of Trustees also participated in the event marking the milestone.

Although the ceremonial groundbreaking has taken place, construction is expected to begin in September 2026. Key expects the Gateway Building to be completed in fall 2027 and ready to welcome students during the 2027-2028 school year.

The project represents another development in the history of a school that has operated in the Annapolis area for nearly seven decades.

The school began in 1958 when a group of tutors from nearby St. John’s College set out to create an educational program that placed greater emphasis on children’s intellectual curiosity and the individual learner, according to the website. 

Today, Key serves students from age 2.5 through 12th grade in a progressive, coeducational, college-preparatory day program. The school says its academic approach emphasizes experiential learning, interdisciplinary study, collaboration and independent thinking.

Key has characterized the Gateway Building as an investment in the school’s future, intended to provide additional space for a growing school community while supporting students, families, faculty and staff in the years ahead. To learn more, click here.