When school starts this year for Maranatha Baptist Academy students, they’ll have 15,000 new square feet to learn in.
The expansion for the school started last November after five years of planning and now, just 33 days from the first day of school, the finishing touches are being put on.
Several new classrooms will offer more room for the student population, which is kindergarten through high school, and the addition of a gymnasium and another library be large assets for the school.
“This classroom additions basically doubles our capabilities for the Christian school,” said Samuel Martin, a church member, who also the general manager for the project. “We’ve been working very closely with the city to make it happen and (we) appreciate their cooperation.”
Around 120 kids are enrolled for the upcoming school year, and this year’s first grade class will be the largest yet.
“By word of mouth, people are coming from everywhere now because they see what we’ve got and what our capabilities are,” Martin said.
Having a gymnasium is a large part of that, he shared, noting that before they often had to “borrow” gym time from other schools and facilities in the area. Once completed, the academy will have a place for its basketball and volleyball teams to practice, as well as have a place for other activities.
“We’ll be able to do school plays; we have a band and they’ll be able to perform in here,” Martin said.
The larger space also means more seating, so when graduations happen, the number of people won’t have to be as limited as it once was.
The facilities are also going to be part of an outreach ministry, too, and provide another place for Maranatha’s church members to fellowship.
Though much of the work has been contracted out, members of the church are aiding a hand, too. A group was scheduled to come paint the gymnasium walls Friday night.
Once those “finishing touches” are completed, school will be in session.
It’s (finishing touches) the last, but it takes the longest,” Martin said. “We’re excited about it.”
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When school starts this year for Maranatha Baptist Academy students, they’ll have 15,000 new square feet to learn in.
The expansion for the school started last November after five years of planning and now, just 33 days from the first day of school, the finishing touches are being put on.
Several new classrooms will offer more room for the student population, which is kindergarten through high school, and the addition of a gymnasium and another library be large assets for the school.
“This classroom additions basically doubles our capabilities for the Christian school,” said Samuel Martin, a church member, who also the general manager for the project. “We’ve been working very closely with the city to make it happen and (we) appreciate their cooperation.”
Around 120 kids are enrolled for the upcoming school year, and this year’s first grade class will be the largest yet.
“By word of mouth, people are coming from everywhere now because they see what we’ve got and what our capabilities are,” Martin said.
Having a gymnasium is a large part of that, he shared, noting that before they often had to “borrow” gym time from other schools and facilities in the area. Once completed, the academy will have a place for its basketball and volleyball teams to practice, as well as have a place for other activities.
“We’ll be able to do school plays; we have a band and they’ll be able to perform in here,” Martin said.
The larger space also means more seating, so when graduations happen, the number of people won’t have to be as limited as it once was.
The facilities are also going to be part of an outreach ministry, too, and provide another place for Maranatha’s church members to fellowship.
Though much of the work has been contracted out, members of the church are aiding a hand, too. A group was scheduled to come paint the gymnasium walls Friday night.
Once those “finishing touches” are completed, school will be in session.
It’s (finishing touches) the last, but it takes the longest,” Martin said. “We’re excited about it.”
