Greenhills School Expanding, Adding Elementary Campus

Summers-Knoll School to Become Greenhills Lower School

Greenhills School is broadening its independent educational mission to serve younger students, adding pre-kindergarten through 5th grade to its current 6th- through 12th-grade program. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, the Summers-Knoll School campus will become Greenhills’ lower school, with Greenhills assuming leadership and operational oversight at Summers-Knoll for the 2025-2026 school year to ensure a smooth transition.

This development follows deliberations with Summers-Knoll leadership and its board of trustees, which sought a sustainable future for their students amidst insurmountable enrollment and financial challenges. Summers-Knoll engaged with Greenhills to develop a plan that would allow Summers-Knoll to continue operating through the next school year, and to provide a clear pathway for its families to continue their independent school education.

“This is both a transformative moment and a natural evolution for Greenhills,” said Neda Mirafzali Ryan, Greenhills Board of Trustees Chair and alum from the class of 2003. “By expanding to include a lower school, we’re not only extending our mission to younger students, but also ensuring that Summers-Knoll families have a stable, supportive place to grow and thrive. Together, we’re strengthening the independent school landscape in Ann Arbor.”

With the addition of a lower school, Greenhills will serve more than 800 students across its two campuses, making it one of Michigan’s most robust independent schools. Families will have the opportunity to give their children a seamless independent school experience from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

“We’re looking forward to this next chapter, not only for Greenhills but for the many new students and families who will now have the opportunity to be part of this community,” said Peter B. Fayroian, Head of School at Greenhills. “Extending our mission to younger learners allows us to foster curiosity, creativity, and empathy from the very start, all within a challenging and supportive learning environment.”

Additional details and opportunities for engagement will be shared as this transition unfolds. The most up-to-date information and answers to frequently asked questions are available here.