Within the past four years of Riordan being coed, it has undergone numerous changes to adapt to both the welcoming of girls and the ever-growing population. However, Riordan plans on expanding new territory inside its main building, the counseling wing.
“The reason for the expansion is two-fold. We wanted to give the counselors a more modern space while also allowing for growth in our dorms,” stated Danny Curtin ’08, Director of Admissions and Vice President of Enrollment & Strategy.
He added, “We have hired additional counselors, so we can put them all together now. We also have had an unprecedented increase in boarding applications, so we wanted to accommodate additional students and plan to grow the program by about 15 students.”
This new expansion allows for more space for boarding students, as well as relocating all counselors downstairs in the 119 and 120 rooms.
As more room is made for incoming students, many wonder how this will impact the current student population.
Due to the overwhelming number of admitted students, Riordan’s campus has become more compact. Many students and faculty members have voiced issues with space in the hallways, overcrowded classes, and long lines in the bathrooms.
Maddalena Ditto ’26 said, “Over time, I don’t think this expansion will be enough for the growing enrollment rate. Our hallways aren’t big enough and neither are our classrooms.”
Though spacing is a pressing issue, the expansion of the counseling wing also aids in another concern: student mental health. By allowing a larger, open space for counseling, students will have better access to the help they need. Rather than retreating to a small corner of the building, students can access a counselor mere feet away from their classes.
Teenage mental health is a growing concern within the modern world, so learning to adapt and grow to help students in the long run is important. This new wing will also be beneficial to those who may be going through personal battles, or even students who simply need a break from the whirlwind of high school.
The layout for this new wing is similar to the current setup of the counseling wing, but with a larger waiting room and spacious rooms. This allows for larger meetings, more room for students to wait for their turn, and bigger areas for the counselors to work in.
With the many changes coming in Riordan’s future, there is much to be hopeful about. The renovations, expansions, and talks of a new building are setting the groundwork for a successful new path for the school to embark upon, and a hopeful future for incoming Crusaders.
