This story originally ran: 6/3/2009

Starting today, Greenhills School is going for the gold when it comes to the greener-than-thou game with its latest renovation/expansion project.

The prestigious school is going for LEED Gold Certification, the second highest ranking in the system. Chief among its green attributes are a geothermal heating-and-cooling system.

"What better place to do that than in a school," Peter Fayorian, head of Greenhills School. "We prepare people to make the world a better place."

The private school near Geddes Road and U.S. 23 is adding about 10,000 square feet of new classroom and lab space to the rear of the main building. It will also renovate about 40 percent of the existing school. The whole project is expected to cost about $6 million with the first phase checking in at $3 million.

Phase I will provide two new biology labs, a greenhouse, a college counseling center and three new classrooms. The second and third phases will include new space for the school's chemistry, physics and middle school science programs, along with other renovations and additions.

Construction is expected to wrap up by December. The remaining phases will be completed as the funding is raised.

The school was founded in 1968 as an independent, co-ed, non-denomination college preparatory school. It serves students in grades 6-12 from the Ann Arbor area. Enrollment is set at about 539 students.

Source: Peter Fayorian, head of Greenhills School
Writer: Jon Zemke