The Susanna A. Jones Learning Commons - Holton-Arms School apply The Susanna A. Jones Learning Commons The Susanna A. Jones Learning Commons reflects Mrs. Holton’s vision of a school that feels as warm and welcoming as a home, with cozy furniture and shelves of books. We carry on this tradition, creating a space where everyone feels comfortable, inspired, and at home. What impact can a thoughtfully designed place have on mission delivery? How will the opening of the Susanna A. Jones Learning Commons enhance our ability to foster a love of learning, curiosity, and sisterhood? Made possible through the generosity of philanthropic donors and fiscal management, this space has the power to nurture our time-tested and future-focused programs, designed to grow excellence. The space is intentionally designed, featuring cozy reading nooks, a variety of workstations, and areas for both quiet reflection and dynamic collaboration. Here, third graders might share beloved books with seniors, middle schoolers will harness presentation skills, and our entire community will gather for collective learning and individual growth. More than just a physical space, the Learning Commons embodies our core mission—providing an education that nurtures not only the mind but the soul and spirit of each student. Our hope is that this space will indeed be a place for all of these things and more that we can't yet envision, as we practice fulfilling Mrs. Holton's vision of an "Open Door" that fosters the "urge to learn and the joy of overcoming obstacles." The Commons is more than just a beautiful building - it's a physical manifestation of our commitment to fostering connections between women and people of all ages as we continue to shape Holton's bright future. When visiting campus, it's impossible to miss the genuine passion our girls have for their learning community. Libraries become a different kind of destination when schools reimagine them as open, transparent spaces that invite student communication and collaboration. At Holton, we rejoice when a student opens a door and seizes an opportunity. The Susanna A. Jones Learning Commons is designed to: Create a physical heart of the School that is accessible to all. Put students at the center of learning with a design that encourages engagement. Use state-of-the-art technology for research, multi-media learning, and presentations. Promote creativity in a bright, light-filled, modern space. Offer flexible indoor and outdoor spaces. Provide areas for collaboration, quiet study, and reading. Include the reimagined Alice S. Marriott Library, the new Freeman Cafe, and Warner/Seawell Student Commons! Spaces Rules/Procedures Hours of Operation The Alice S. Marriott Library The Warner/Seawell Student Commons The Freeman Family Café in Memory of Virginia Allen Freeman from the Carl M. Freeman Foundation The Wilsey Outdoor Classroom gifted by Diane Buchanan Wilsey in Memory of Ruth Hale Buchanan The Freeman Terrace The Pollin/Wean Terrace in Honor of Dave Pollin and Susanne Cole Wean ’67 and Dave Pollin Gathering Space named in Honor of Janice DeMaré gifted by Trustee Emeriti The Sally Colclough Alexander '51 Love of Literature Reading Room Study Room named in Honor of Zara Mustafa '28 Book Stacks named by Rob and Rebecca Nichols in Honor of Martha Lauren Nichols ’25 Classroom named by The Darcey Family in Honor of Grace ’20 and Lily ’23 Classroom named in Honor of Alexa S. Goldman '12 Classroom named in Honor of Mary Jane Puckett gifted from the Marriott Family Classroom named in Honor of Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray Classroom named by The Snider Family Classroom named by The Spiegel Family Classroom named in Honor of the Class of 2025 gifted by the Ordan Family Rules No phones are allowed in The Susanna A. Jones Learning Commons during school hours. Phones may be used after 3:30 pm in the Student Commons only (not the Marriott Library). There is no food or drink in the Marriott Library. Only personal hard-top water bottles are allowed. Students must keep the Learning Commons and Library clean and uncluttered and pick up/discard all trash when leaving. Students may not leave personal items unattended in the Learning Commons. No congregating or lounging in the Learning Commons or Library stacks. In the event of a fire drill, the Learning Commons will evacuate to the Turf Field. Reserving Spaces Use the Room Reservation Form for classrooms and Multi-purpose room reservations. Outdoor spaces may be reserved through the Library for school-day use. Outdoor Spaces may be used for Lower School, class meetings, cross-divisional events, etc. We will prioritize student-centered programming in reserved spaces during the school day. Adult events may occur in the The Susanna A. Jones Learning Commons after school hours (Admissions events, school coffees, etc., maybe the exception). Space Use Classrooms (L115and L116): Teacher-reserved spaces - Students may use these rooms if free Outdoor Gathering Spaces (Terraces): Independent/collaborative study space (low-volume study discussion only) Marriott Library Main Space: Collaborative work, viewing displays, and book browsing Quiet Commons (L111): Independent, quiet study space and fiction browsing (absolutely no talking) Small Group (L109 and L110): Independent/collaborative study space (low-volume study discussion only) Multi-purpose Room (L101): Differentiated teaching and learning space with a variety of stations Nichols Book Stacks (L103): Non-fiction print sources (browse and explore) Monday:  7:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tuesday:  7:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Wednesday:  9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Thursday:  7:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Friday:  7:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. Freeman Cafe will be closed for lunch from 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. Monday-Friday