There has never been a time in our history
QUITE LIKE THIS ONE Let’s step into the future, together.
Deep Learning. Growing Faith. Real Life. Lakeland Christian School strives to educate students in the light of God’s Word in a way that inspires young people to find their passion…their sense of purpose in fulfilling God’s call on their lives. We must identify and apply innovative instructional methods that will effectively equip students with not only knowledge, but with critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. Through their work in classrooms and laboratories, and by establishing real-world collaborative experiences beyond the ordinary, students can be inspired with a vision for Christian influence in their chosen field of endeavor. In addition, LCS desires to promote a culture that encourages faculty to have a mastery of their subject area and to grow creativity in their teaching efforts. Leading edge instructional space enables gifted teachers to do their best work.
The mission of Lakeland
Christian School is to educate students in the light of God’s Word to equip them for a lifetime of learning, leadership, service and worship.
A Vibrant Future Bolstered by Past Achievement Lakeland Christian is blessed with some of the finest educational and athletic facilities, anywhere. Over the past 12 years, $30 Million of capital expansion has provided the Elementary/Middle School Building, an Early Childhood Education suite, the RISE Institute, Viking Stadium and the Roger Evans Athletic Center. Generous giving supported a dynamic vision to transform much of the campus. Even with such marvelous provision, LCS leadership continues to study current campus realities and carefully plan for a preferred future. The school Board and Administration realize the educational landscape has not escaped the rapid change that is sweeping all areas of our world. In living out the “always better” approach, Lakeland Christian is now poised for its next chapter — the pursuit of an unparalleled campus transformation… …for the benefit of students, and to the glory of God.
Unprecedented Challenges, Extraordinary Solutions Despite the changes that have swept the LCS landscape, critical portions of campus are outdated and not in line with the quality of the recent construction. Specifically, areas serving high school students – outdated science classrooms and labs in particular – are in need of replacement and expansion.
Opportunities Science classrooms are outdated and insufficient. LCS currently has one chemistry lab and one biology lab. The 40-year-old chem lab is extremely outdated and insufficient for current needs. Some of the workstations are not operational and the entire classroom is too small for its intended purpose. The room serves as a general classroom for teaching/lecture as well as a lab. The biology lab is also too small for current classes. In addition, faculty has to share this space, and it is not always available when teachers need it. This leads to a reduction in the number of labs students complete and some labs turn into demonstrations. LCS does not have a life science lab. In an era of priority on STEM learning, the school lacks facilities in this crucial area. New Building Would Provide: Students and teachers receive state-of-the-art classrooms, as well as laboratory and prep space for chemistry, biology, life science, and physics. Classrooms would also provide space for Middle School classes to add more labs to their curriculum.
There are academic limitations. While LCS science test scores are above the national average, they are lower than desired. This is seen as a direct result of a lack of space and opportunity for hands-on labs and experiments. New Building Would Provide: The additional lab space will increase lab activities, enhancing the learning and improving opportunities for higher achievement.
Limited space restricts teaching. Education has changed and different pedagogy calls for flexibility in classrooms to meet varied teaching strategies. With limited space, classrooms don’t foster creativity in teaching. Many current classrooms are too small to accommodate a change in furniture to allow for varied instructional strategies. With an increase in collaboration (one of the 21st century learning skills) among students, there is a need for more space. New Building Would Provide: Increased classroom space encourages varied teaching strategies, fostering creativity and enhanced student engagement. Adequate space and furniture allow for more creative and collaborative instructional methodologies to better prepare students for higher education and post-college career experiences.
High school capacity is limited. There are currently no open spaces on campus. Five high school classes meet in portables (the permitting for which expires in 2021) and if LCS desired to hire a new teacher to decrease class sizes there would be no place for the teacher to meet. Some teachers must move from room to room as there is no space for a permanent class. Teachers must give up their rooms during planning periods for others to use the classroom. LCS lacks space for college visits as well as room for extra study halls. New Building Would Provide: The capacity in the high school would increase by more than 130 students – meaning more young people experience an LCS education.
ADA insufficiency is a problem. LCS currently has no elevator access to multiple classrooms, causing relocation of teachers/classes when a student has a physical limitation keeping them from using stairs. New Building Would Provide: All high school classrooms will be ADA compliant and accessible by all students.
Opportunities There is a lack of opportunity for unity and collaboration of faculty. All professional development hinges on collaboration. Currently, high school teachers are scattered across campus and rarely see each other apart from scheduled meetings. New Building Would Provide: The new facility would cluster departments to facilitate unity and conversation. A new building dedicated for high school would improve the proximity of the faculty and reduce the “instructional silo effect� that can easily occur in secondary education. Designated faculty collaboration space, in addition to all high school faculty in a central location, allows for more cross-curricular opportunities. Improved instructional space that enables gifted teachers to do their best work has proven to attract strong faculty members.
Computer labs are obsolete. The current computer classroom is not configured for optimum efficiency. The research lab was an old classroom that was remodeled and the layout is also inefficient. Education has moved away from traditional computer labs and moved to Design Studios. This is a place where a variety of technology needs can be explored and taught. With 1:1 technology there is less of a need for classroom computers. This space needs more flexibility to accommodate changing technology needs. New Building Would Provide: LCS would have a flexible design space for technology-related classes, as well as a dedicated space for the visual arts.
Teacher workspace is limited. There is limited teacher workspace and no office space for teacher/principal interaction. New Building Would Provide: Dedicated teacher space fosters collaboration and supports the cross-curricular focus. Relocating these spaces near the principals would increase efficiency and conversations between administration and faculty.
Office space is inadequate. The current secondary office was not designed for this use. The workspace is not ideal for the functions necessary in a high school. The office needs to be in proximity to students. The guidance department needs dedicated space for the staff to meet the needs of the students as they plan for college. A conference room is needed. With a limited reception area, privacy is a concern. Families waiting to see a principal are just outside the doors. New Building Would Provide: Increased and professionally designed space would enhance administration of the high school. Dedicated college and career guidance space would upgrade the work of supporting future pathways of high school students.
Lakeland Christian’s Next Chapter
“The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.” - Proverbs 18:15
Phase I - High School Building Phase I – Construction of a three-story, 42,000 square foot High School Building, to include: • 27 large High School Classrooms, specially designed for the pursuit of 21st Century learning skills (collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving) • Computer/Language Learning Laboratory • Chemistry Lab • Earth Science Lab • Biology Lab • Dedicated Laboratory Preparation Space • Faculty Collaboration Space • Student Collaboration Space • College Guidance Suite • Secondary Office Suite, including conference room, testing room, and reception area
This project also provides major campus renovation, including: • Removal of six existing portable buildings, and demolition of additional classroom buildings and existing office suites. • Creation of a Visual Arts Suite to include studios for art, ceramics, painting, and video production • Creation of a mock courtroom • Addition of parking where portables currently exist • Development of art gallery, display and presentation space • Creation of Culinary arts/living skills facility • All site work for the Phase II 50,000 square foot Fine Arts Center
Phase II - Fine Arts Center Phase II – 50,000 square foot multi-story Fine Arts Center, to include an auditorium, and all Fine Arts classrooms, rehearsal space and studios. Details to be developed during Phase I Construction
The Stewardship Giving Needed to Fund The Vision PHASE I GIFT INVESTMENT NEEDED: $24,250,000 High School Building Complex
$17,750,000
Campus Demo & Renovation
$2,150,000
Site Work for Fine Arts Center
$1,600,000
Endowment for Operation of New Facilities
$2,750,000
As with all capital expansion in the school’s 64-year history, this transformational project will become reality through God’s generous provision through His people.
Why Now? Think good…better…best. LCS can accomplish education with smaller, outdated classrooms and labs, but this scenario is not optimal for students’ long-term success. Education is at a crossroads like never before. Learning space is no longer a four-walled box with rows of desks. Lakeland Christian can continue with its 40-year-old environment, or the school can provide a facility for 21st Century learning skills— Communication. Collaboration. Critical Thinking. Creativity. Inspiration. Changing education can be most effective with a changing environment. An improved student experience, crafted by gifted teachers able to do their best work, leads to a more sophisticated outcome and better preparation for higher education. Let’s not wait any longer. The time is now.
Beyond the Building Although Lakeland Christian has been blessed with tremendous buildings and wonderful facilities – and now hopes to do it again – this project is truly not about bricks and mortar. The planned construction, and the needed giving, is all about sharpening minds and shepherding hearts — an investment in the next generation. An investment that provides a lifelong return.
Pray Hard. Be Bold. Give Big. Our young people are worth every penny.
“Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God that he has given you.� - Deuteronomy 16:17