Delivering the Dream

With less than four months until the start of the 2008-09 school year, the new Lakeland Christian School Elementary/Middle School building is taking shape.

The building is part of the "Deliver the Dream" expansion project. It is expected to be finished by the beginning of the school year so it can be occupied by the students right away.

"Externally, the building is almost finished. We are putting the roof on it now. Internally, we still have to install the walls, plumbing, electrical, networking, all that kind of stuff," said Steve Wilson, LCS director of advancement.

Once finished, the 71,505-square-foot building will house first and second grade classrooms on the first floor, third through fifth grade classrooms on the second floor, and sixth through eighth grade classrooms on the third floor. The elementary will also be housed on the first floor.

Some of the vacated space in the old building is reserved for a new K-4 program.

"One of the main changes we are making is that we are adding two K-4 classes. This isn't preschool, like 'play and do fun stuff.' It's more like regular kindergarten, but for 4 year olds," said Wilson.

LCS plans on hiring about five new teachers for the 2008-09 school year: one to two for elementary, not including the K-4 program, and two to three for secondary. The enrollment will increase from about 1,040 this year to 1,150 next year.

"While secondary will grow, the most growth will be in elementary," said Wilson.

The first time the public will be able to tour the building is on Orientation Day, which is Aug. 18, the Friday before school starts. A few weeks after school has started, there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"The classrooms will be larger (900 square feet) than any we have now on campus, while keeping the class sizes the same. Each classroom will have 'reading nooks,' which are padded windowsills where students can read," said Wilson, "The classrooms also will have multiple computer network outlets."

Between the building and the Viking football/soccer stadium, and the building and Faith's Forest, a reserve, will be playgrounds with all new equipment. Between the building and Ariana Street will be a play court where students can play basketball and other sports.

"The building itself is $10 million, which is part of a $22 million fundraising campaign. That includes primarily everything you see now. Right now we are $5.5 million short of reaching our goal and we hope to raise that by the time the building is ready for school," said Wilson.

Phase 1 of the expansion project, which is finished, included a new maintenance building, a parking lot, and the football/soccer stadium. Phase 2, which is the phase currently under way, is primarily the elementary/middle school building. Phase 3 will include a science/technology building, among other things that will be decided in the near future.