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Introducing the Serafina Early Learning Center

Delphian School

In case you missed it, Delphian School recently opened a new facility for our youngest learners: the Serafina Early Learning Center.


The Serafina Early Learning Center is not a part of the Lower School. With a nursery and toddler play area, it caters to even younger learners — preparing them for a bright future ahead at the Lower School or wherever they choose to continue their education.


A licensed child care center for inquiring young minds

The Serafina Early Learning Center is a child care center licensed by the state of Oregon. It’s a daycare center, not a residential school, though of course it’s located on a partially residential campus.


The center is located in the sunny west staff area of campus, surrounded by newly planted trees. It features comfort and learning amenities for very young children and toddlers alike:


  • A state-of-the-art nursery with a quiet nap area, changing station, and play mat

  • A multipurpose play and learning room with a snack area, learning centers, and indoor play facilities

  • An outdoor sandbox and toddler-friendly play structure

  • A covered outdoor play area that allows outdoor time even during inclement weather

  • A striking yet functional bell tower that chimes to celebrate graduates moving up to the Lower School

Built from love and generosity

The Serafina Early Learning Center would have remained an ambitious vision had it not been for the generosity of Shon and Ariel Holyfield, whose gift made the project possible. They provided crucial funding for the project in honor of their recently departed family member, Melissa McPhail Holyfield.

McPhail Holyfield was a Delphian alumna and staff member known and beloved for her book series, A Pattern of Shadow and Light. The name for the center, in fact, comes from her work. And the center itself celebrates one of McPhail Holyfield’s greatest achievements, in her telling: her graduation from Delphian School.


An opening ceremony to remember

The Serafina Early Learning Center made its debut at Parents Weekend 2023, early this past June.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, donor Shon Holyfield gave remarks to a who’s who of Delphian School luminaries, including Head of School Trevor Ott, Lower Dean Judi Glenski, President of Applied Scholastics International Christine Gerson, chairman of the board Dave Hendry, and members of the Holyfield, Emrani, and Colaianni-Tuttle families.


Holyfield gave a fond remembrance of McPhail Holyfield and her time at Delphian School.

“With the support of alumni and parents,” he said, “it is my hope that Serafina will be just one of many exciting new facilities to help Delphian accomplish its educational mission.”


“We hereby dedicate this building in honor of Melissa and the shared love we all have for Delphian and the youngest members of our Delphian community.”


Toward an optimistic future — together

As Holyfield so touchingly remarked, the Serafina Early Learning Center is a vote of confidence in the future of Delphian School. It’s a sign that we believe in our ability to continue the work of empowering future generations of students to lead in a flawed world.


We need all the help we can get. As Head of School Trevor Ott remarked at Parents Weekend 2023, not far from the Serafina Early Learning Center:


“Still, we need to do more. We need to have more students. We need to be full. We need to graduate more students at a higher level of self-determinism each year. And we need to get more truth out in the world to assist them in lifting the fog.”


It’s a heavy lift, to be sure. But we can do it — together.


Want to know more about the Serafina Early Learning Center? We recently wrote up its ribbon-cutting ceremony in Delphian Magazine.

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Delphian School is a private and independent coed boarding school in Sheridan, Oregon - USA

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20950 SW Rock Creek Road
Sheridan, Oregon, USA 97378

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