Feb. 28, 2020-- PLANO, TX —Prestonwood Christian Academy (PCA) today celebrated the opening of a new 60,000 square foot Middle School at the school’s Plano campus. The $20 million building will soon be the home for the campus’ fifth through eighth graders.
PCA and Prestonwood Baptist Church leaders ceremoniously cut a ribbon celebrating the new building. “The learning that will take place here over the years for our Middle School students will have a far-reaching impact,” said PCA’s Head of School, Dr. Larry Taylor. “From STEM to outdoor learning, to the arts and collaborative spaces, our students will be challenged to use their minds in a rigorous way in an effort to bring glory to the Lord.”
The building will provide full programming for over 400 Middle School students and create visible unity and community for students as well as greater faculty collaboration. (PCA's four grades of Middle School students have previously been split between two buildings, sharing space with PCA’s Lower and Upper School students.) PCA’s Middle School students begin classes in the new building on March 16, when they return from Spring Break.
“Our vision, our heart, has been one Middle School division under one roof providing unity, community, security and identity for our Middle School students,” said Leesa Trout, Sixth Grade English Teacher.
The new building not only creates more physical unity for Middle School students and faculty but provides opportunity for broader curriculum needs as well through collaboration space, innovation labs, a new media center/library, two technology labs and outdoor learning space.
In 2018, through the school’s EQUIP Campaign, Prestonwood Christian Academy secured funding to move forward with construction of its new Middle School building and the renovation of the Fine Arts facility. The renovated Fine Arts center, which opened in August 2019, meets the growing demands of PCA’s robust, award-winning program. The approximately 20,000 square feet of space includes a black box theatre, Fine Arts gallery hall showcasing student artists, new band hall, choir space with practice rooms and a mock trial courtroom.
“We want to thank our donors for helping us raise the millions of dollars needed to provide this state-of-the-art building,” said Dr. Taylor. “The PCA family responded generously to make our plan a reality in order to avoid incurring any long-term debt.”
Lead EQUIP Campaign donors who were recognized at the ceremony are Tim and Peggy Horner, Jim and Pamela Hillhouse, Emery and Amy Petrof and Bill and Trisha Ruzynski, in addition to several anonymous donors.
“This is now one of the most premier places on the Prestonwood Campus with the beautiful view of the lake and the Divine Servant statue,” said Pastor Graham. “But the real beauty is the Kingdom education that will take place here—a partnership between a family, the church and our school.”
Prestonwood Christian Academy serves more than 1,600 students enrolled at five campuses as part of its school system. PCA Plano serves Pre-K3 through 12th grade. PCA North in Prosper (Pre-K3 through 9th grade) is celebrating its sixth school year with more than 240 students and is now enrolling through 10th grade as it grows to the first graduating class of 2023. PCAplus is celebrating record-breaking enrollment in its virtual academy, and part-time students, and has been serving students for more than 10 years. St. Timothy Christian Academy is a K through 12th grade school for students with learning differences which joined PCA’s School System in 2017. The King’s Academy in South Dallas opened its doors to PreK-4 through 1st Grade students on Aug. 19, 2019. Prestonwood Christian Academy School System has been recognized as having one of the strongest Christian education programs in the country. Each school places great value on the growth of students’ spiritual health, scholastic endeavors, and co-curricular activities. Tantamount to its spiritual development plan, and intentional biblical worldview training, is PCA’s rigorous Liberal Arts academic program. Prestonwood Christian Academy’s class of 2019 was offered $16.5 million in scholarship for achievement in scholastics, athletics and the arts. Since the first graduating class of 2002, PCA graduates have been offered more than $126.7 million in scholarships and have matriculated to universities near and far. PCA is currently accepting applications. Interested families are invited to take a campus tour or attend an upcoming School Preview to learn more! Details and registration are available at prestonwoodchristian.org/preview.
