Mark and Dianne Ross have given $1 million to The Baptist Preparatory School of Little Rock, officials said Tuesday.
The money will go toward the private school's capital campaign, which aims to pay for expansions and renovations at its upper and lower schools.
"Mark and Dianne Ross have a longstanding and special relationship to Baptist Prep," Laura Bednar, the head of school, said in a news release. "Their generous donation is the largest in our school’s 36-year history and will touch the lives of all our students."
The money will support $2.6 million in projects:
- A multi-use athletic practice and performing arts center at the Upper School.
- Facility renovations at the Upper School.
- An 8,000-SF artificial grass turf activity field at the Lower School.
- Playground renovations at the Lower School.
- Outdoor classroom and amphitheater at Lower School.
- Safety and security upgrades in the Lower School.
"We were blessed to have had the opportunity to send both of our children to Baptist Prep, where they received a great education in a Christ-centered environment, helping prepare them for their life’s journey," Mark Ross, a former COO and board member at Bank of the Ozarks Inc. of Little Rock, said in a news release.
"Baptist Prep continues to do a wonderful job preparing young men and women to live lives that make a difference, lives of courage and integrity," Dianne Ross said.
The Christian, college-preparatory school said the new multi-use building will serve as an athletic training and practice facility for the basketball and volleyball programs. It will also host the band, choral performances and theatrical productions.