A month after the opening of the Connelly Wellness Center at Archbishop Carroll, the new space is getting positive reviews as its use is ramping up.
“The wellness center is a great addition to the Carroll community,” senior Brennan Donohue said. “I like how it can be used for a lot of different purposes, and having guidance closer to the heart of the building [chapel] is nice!”
The new center, on the main floor across from the chapel and between the east and west sides of the building, now houses the guidance department, which had been on the third floor on the east side. It also houses other programs: mental health and wellness services under the direction of Mrs. Ashley Logan, psychologist Mrs. Michelle McTague, college advising and NCAA compliance under the direction of Mr. Andrew Cavara, reading and math support from the Delaware County Intermedia Unit, academic support under the guidance of Mr. Chris Fryberger, and information technology support. The principal’s office is there, too.
Having all of those programs together was the point, according to Carroll President Dr. Tricia Scott, who conceived of the center and brought it to fruition.
“Bringing all these services together in one central location also encourages collaboration among staff, enabling them to develop comprehensive plans to better support our students,” Dr. Scott said. “It is a place where all the offices are together, working together to support the students’ flourishing.”
Senior Kat Buentello said she has visited the Connelly Center not so much to access services but to get some schoolwork done.
“I feel like I can go there to study and be peaceful, without any distractions,” Buentello said. “Everyone is so sweet, especially in the guidance office!”
The 6,400-square-foot center is in the space that once held the school’s library. Although the library was eliminated several years ago, the space continued to be used for various purposes — events, faculty meetings, study hall, after school supervision, board meetings, band instruction and practice, dance practice for school plays, and information technology support, service and storage.
The renovated space has a windowed entrance and a windowed back wall that overlooks the school’s courtyard. At its center is a circular high-top desk space where students can work and teachers can teach. Small study areas are to the left of the center. Offices for the services now headquartered there are on either side.
“I feel as though the new wellness center is a beautiful space,” said Madison Freeman, a senior and president of the student council. “It almost feels like a college campus. A lot of kids are using it, especially for college representative visits and Instant Decision day. It’s a great space for all of us, and it really brings together our Carroll Community!”
Dr. Scott also expressed enthusiasm about the project coming to life.
“I’m excited about the opening of the Connelly Wellness Center at Archbishop Carroll,” Dr. Scott said. “Located in the heart of the school, this space will provide students with a welcoming environment to work, collaborate, and socialize, while being surrounded by essential support services such as guidance, academic tutoring, college counseling, technology assistance, and campus ministry.”
The wellness center idea came to life in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to an increase in mental health problems like depression and anxiety among high school students, according to a Sept. 24 story by Jay Sorgi in CatholicPhilly.com. Dr. Scott broached the idea in 2022 of creating a place in Carroll where students could access mental health services as well as academic support with the Connelly Foundation, which is a Philadelphia-area philanthropic organization that supports Catholic education and other endeavors. The foundation gave Carroll a $450,000 grant toward the project, which also received money from private donors and the school during a two-year fund-raising effort. The center was named for the foundation because it was the largest donor.
The construction of the center started in April and finished in September. It cost $1.35 million to build– $350,000 more than the original estimate, according to Dr. Scott. The ribbon cutting was Sept. 25.
As it has been only a month since the ribbon cutting, the wellness center has not yet reached its full potential, according to Dr. Scott, who predicted that it will probably take at least one year until it reaches its full functionality. The administration is reviewing how it is working so far with an eye toward making sure it reaches that potential, according to Mr. William Gennaro, the school’s principal.
“With the Connelly Wellness Center now open, we are now looking at the functionality of the space and how it will best fit for all of the students.” Mr. Gennaro said. “The space and how it works on paper is one thing, and how our students use it and what we miss when it’s only an idea on paper is another thing.”
So far, five to six colleges are using the center each week to meet with prospective students, and the space continues to be used for events as it had before the renovation. Among the events conducted at the center have been the Best Buddies Match Party and weekly Catholic Athletes for Christ meetings. Students who take courses at Carroll from Immaculata University take them in the Connelly Wellness Center. Tutoring by the National Honor Society, which historically has happened in the library space, continues in the wellness center. Additionally, some teachers have used the space for their classes, including Mr. Fryberger and Miss Wampler.
“In all, the Connelly Wellness Center is starting as a more formal gathering space for us to present new options and ideas for programming for our students,” Mr. Gennaro said.
— Staff writer Madison Freeman contributed to this article.
