Fort Worth Country Day Celebrates New Lower School on 104-Acre Campus

Fort Worth Country Day, a private school located on 104 acres in Southwest Fort Worth, recently dedicated the newly constructed Annie Richardson Bass Lower School.

A formal ceremony, held Jan. 13, celebrated the $25 million, 32,720-square-square-foot building constructed to replace the lower school building. The day also marked the first day more than 325 students in first through four grades occupied the new building.

“We’re so excited about it because it’s such a wonderful facility for our youngest students,” said Sandra Tuomey, Fort Worth Country Day’s director of advancement. “We are so happy with it, and the community is excited about it, especially the students.”

Learning Environment

The school issued a statement where Eric Lombardi, Country Day’s head of school, praised the project.

“The opening of the Annie Richardson Bass Lower School symbolizes our community’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional learning environments for our students,” Lombardi said in the 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.

The new educational facility replaces one with the same name, originally built in 1964. The project was completed one year after construction began, and it was delivered on time and under budget, according to Tom Mitchell, Country Day’s chief financial officer.

“To see the final product is fantastic,” Mitchell said.

Team Effort

Architectural firm Lake/Flato created the building’s design, Hocker Design designed the landscape architecture, and Linbeck served as general contractor.

Fort Worth Country Day opened in September of 1963 and is considered a college-preparatory school educating students through twelfth grade. This new lower school building is one of 12 found on the campus, and the school has educated a total of 11,016 students during the 2024-25 academic year.

More than 300 donors, including alumni, staff, trustees, and foundations, contributed to the Forward Together Campaign. The campaign funded the building, plus athletic field improvements, tuition assistance, professional development, and academic programs, according to information the school provided.

“We have a very generous community that believed in our vision and are very willing to support it,” Tuomey said. “It’s a beautiful new building for our beautiful campus.”

Building Features

The new building features secured access, two science labs, tutoring rooms, and outdoor learning spaces. A 2,002-square-foot library includes floor-to-ceiling windows, a fireplace, reading nooks, and glass doors that open to a central courtyard.

“We want to provide the best environment for our students and teachers,” Mitchell said.