Schools nationwide are upping the ante on the amenities — both scholastic and extracurricular — with which they aim to spark matriculations. Locally as well, private schools are raising funds, eyeing upgrades, and embarking on capital projects to remain competitive. Todd Romero, with the Philadelphia Business Journal, dug in to report whose doing what in Montgomery County.

Nationwide, trends toward upscale surroundings on college campuses have been evident for years. Once-spartan dorm rooms became posh suites. Onsite fitness rooms popped up in residents halls, mimicking a hotel experience.

Not surprisingly, high-, middle-, and even primary schools began to follow suit.

Locally, not all the spending at the lower grade levels, however, is for luxury items; funding is being used to bolster academic programs, expand counseling services, and improve sports options.

Within Montgomery County, the following capital projects have been noted:

• LaSalle College High School, Wyndmoor, is planning a renovation of a field into a dual-use soccer-baseball facility.
• Germantown Academy, Fort Washington, is in its last year of construction of a new 25,000-square-foot health and wellness center. It has also just approved construction of an academic facility for students who learn differently, as well as a refresh of the student commons, the college counseling center, and its robotics suites.
• Center School, Abington, is building a faculty lounge, in addition to increasing space needed to strengthen student technology skills and provide a setting for small-group instruction.

A full account of scholastic-based capital projects unfolding locally is at the Philadelphia Business Journal.