Local private school begins multimillion-dollar expansion project

By Wendy Guzmán – Reporter, Memphis Business Journal

January 9, 2026

A Memphis private school is launching a $2.2 million campus expansion project.

Woodland Presbyterian School, located at 5217 Park Ave., recently announced long-term plans to enhance its campus. According to head of school Adam Moore, the project has already secured $2 million in funding, supported by more than 200 donors, including full participation from faculty, staff, and the board of directors.

Memphis-based 4FDesign developed the campus master plan and serves as the project architect, while Grinder, Taber & Grinder is the general contractor.

The expansion will take place in multiple phases.

Phase 1, completed in January 2025, included construction of a new guardhouse, expanded fencing, and a secured entrance gate.

Phase 2 is expected to begin soon and will focus on renovating the courtyard between the school’s two main buildings. The updated space, to be named The Tatum Courtyard, honors longtime director of admission Tim Tatum, who retired this past June.

Phase 3 is scheduled to begin in spring 2026 and will include the construction of two 900-square-foot early childhood classrooms on the front east side of campus. The additional classrooms are intended to meet growing demand for early childhood education.

“By creating additional space, these new classrooms will better position us to serve our early childhood students,” Moore said.

A fourth phase is also planned but has not yet been detailed. It will focus on improvements to the west side of campus and is not included in the current $2.2 million budget.

Moore said the upgrades are aimed at strengthening the school’s ability to serve students and families.

“These improvements will lead to more effective education for our students and allow us to better serve our families and the Memphis community,” he said. “While this project doesn’t increase our capacity, it puts us in a stronger position to serve students now and in the future.”