The Frederick Gunn School Announces Construction of the Thomas S. Perakos Family Cares Health and Wellness Center

Scheduled to open in the fall of 2026, the center advances Gunn’s leadership by integrating health services, nutrition, and counseling into a single, high-performance hub. These new spaces reinforce the school’s commitment to placing student well-being at the core of the residential experience.

“The Campaign for The Frederick Gunn School is not just transforming our campus; it is elevating the very standard of care and experience we provide our students,” said Dr. Emily Raudenbush Gum, Bretter Family Head of School. “By uniting these essential services in a single, central hub, we are advancing our commitment to whole-person wellness and solidifying an unprecedented prioritization of well-being for our student body. Thomas Perakos ’69 has once again stepped up to lead our community by example. Coming off his inspiring message to our 2025 graduates, this gift further solidifies his incredible legacy and ensures that the excellence he championed in our arts program now extends to the health and wellness of every student on campus.”

Spanning over 6,000 square feet of purposefully reimagined space, the center features a glass-filled wellness lobby designed to foster natural interactions between students and student life leaders. The facility will house a state-of-the-art health center engineered to meet infirmary-level standards — a first in the school’s history — alongside dual counseling suites designed for tranquility and privacy, all supporting the school’s mission to foster lifelong well-being. 

“I am proud to support a project that brings student well-being to the forefront of campus life,” said Thomas S. Perakos ’69. “This center advances Gunn’s leadership in wellness by providing a facility built to the highest standards, where medical care, counseling, and daily nutrition are seamlessly accessible."
This gift from the Perakos Family Cares Foundation comes on the heels of the foundation's pioneer grant to Broadway Cares, which also focuses exclusively on funding for health care, insurance assistance, and mental health support for the Broadway community. These two gifts combined demonstrate the foundation's unwavering commitment to the belief that all individuals have the resources needed to overcome obstacles to good health and overall well-being.

Thomas S. Perakos is a multiple Tony and Olivier Award-winning producer and philanthropist whose career has spanned decades of excellence in the entertainment industry, from his early days as a standout student-performer on the Gunn stage to his recent success producing Broadway hits like Sunset Blvd and The Band’s Visit. Tom’s upcoming production of Sinatra — The Musical opens later this month in London’s West End at the Aldwych Theater, prior to its upcoming run on Broadway. 

Perakos has remained a steadfast "force for good" within the Gunn community, most recently returning to campus to deliver the 175th Commencement Address for the Class of 2025. With his previous landmark gift, the 32,000-square-foot Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center (TPACC) has already become a vital hub for student talent and community gathering. Building on this foundation of community and creative expression, Perakos is now expanding his philanthropic legacy beyond the arts and into the core of well-being as a vital component of the student experience. This extremely generous gift to our beloved students has been a focus of his since the completion of TPACC, which he believes unequivocally is "the greatest accomplishment of my lifetime." Much like his work in the theater, which celebrates the power of human connection and resilience, this new commitment ensures that students have the medical, nutritional, and emotional support systems necessary to thrive and ensures that Gunn will remain a thought leader in the boarding school community. 

“By creating a space that encourages natural interactions between students and mentors, we are helping to strengthen a community where every student has the support they need to thrive. Gunn gave me the confidence to pursue my own path, and it remains a defining part of who I am to this day. Please always remember to keep Gunn close to your hearts — I have, and I will continue to do so,” concluded Perakos, echoing the heartfelt sentiments he expressed during his memorable 2025 “Razzle Dazzle” Commencement Address in celebration of the School's 175th anniversary.

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About The Frederick Gunn School

The Frederick Gunn School, founded in 1850, is a coed boarding and day school for 340 students in grades 9-12 as well as a postgraduate year located in Washington, Connecticut. Frederick Gunn was a pioneering educator, courageous abolitionist, and rugged outdoorsman. He inspired generations of students to be curious and thoughtful, to be active members of their communities, and to stand up for what they believe in. He was a transformational leader and his vision is even more powerful today as our students become principled, active citizens and lifelong learners, who will be entrepreneurial forces for good in the world.

Media Inquiries

Please direct all media inquiries to Douglas Day, Associate Head of School for Strategy and Finance.