Berkeley Board Names Early Childhood Education Center in Honor of Headmaster Seivold


Construction on the spectacular 30,000-square-foot Seivold Center for Early Childhood Education will begin early this summer and is projected to take 11 months. Once complete, the Seivold Center for Early Childhood Education will be a state-of-the-art building that includes 12 classrooms, large group gathering spaces and two inspiring outdoor play areas that will enable children in Pre-K through First Grade to be inquisitive, imaginative and passionate learners in a setting unlike any other in the region.

"Honoring Joe Seivold in this way signifies the Board's deep and sincere appreciation and support of Joe's leadership and tireless drive to make Berkeley the very best,” said George Gramling, former Capital Campaign and Board of Trustees Chairman. “This is our way to say thank you for inspiring us as Trustees and for inspiring countless generations of students who will begin their education in the Seivold Center for Early Childhood Education."

Seivold joined Berkeley as its sixth Headmaster in 2011. Under his leadership, the school has grown into a thriving campus that is home to 1,300 students and more than 250 faculty and staff. He has been instrumental in helping grow Berkeley into a nationally regarded, top-tier independent day school.

“For the past six years, Headmaster Joe Seivold and his staff have inspired hundreds of Berkeley families and friends which has led to a transformation of the campus that will endure for generations,” said Bob Gries, Jr., Berkeley parent and trustee. “It is only fitting that one of Berkeley’s signature buildings bears his name in recognition of the outstanding contributions he has made toward establishing Berkeley as one of the premier preparatory schools in the country.”

Seivold has played a lead role in fundraising efforts that have now exceeded Berkeley’s $50 million goal in Above & Beyond: The Campaign for Berkeley Preparatory School. Guided by an ambitious Master Plan, the campaign aims to significantly enhance the campus infrastructure and grow the school’s endowment.

"It’s been a distinct honor and great pleasure to serve the Board of Trustees, students, families, employees, and alumni of Berkeley Preparatory School for the past six years, and I am therefore deeply humbled by this gift,” said Seivold. “Partnering with those who believe so strongly in our school, I am eager to continue to work exceedingly hard to provide the best possible environment for each child in our charge as we move forward – there are exciting times ahead for sure."
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Founded in 1960, Berkeley is an independent, Episcopal, college-preparatory day school located in Tampa, FL, for boys and girls in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12. Approximately 1,400 students gather here from the greater Tampa Bay area to form ONE Berkeley.