Prestonwood Christian Academy (PCA) today celebrated the commencement of construction for a new Middle School and the beginning of renovations of a Fine Arts center at the school’s Plano campus. The anticipated completion of the Fine Arts renovation is scheduled for August 2019, and the Middle School building is scheduled to be completed by January 2020.
PCA and Prestonwood Baptist Church leaders ceremoniously broke ground 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.”
In its final buildout, the Middle School building will provide full programming for over 400 Middle School students and create visible unity and community for Middle School students as well as greater faculty collaboration. (PCA's four grades of Middle School students are currently split between two buildings, sharing space with PCA’s Lower and Upper School students.)
“Our vision, our heart, is 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 will not only create more physical unity for Middle School students and faculty but provides opportunity for broader curriculum needs as well. The new building will include collaboration space, innovation labs, a new media center/library, a dedicated Middle School Learning Lab, two technology labs including robotics and outdoor learning space.
The renovated Fine Arts center will meet the growing demands of PCA’s robust, award-winning program. The approximately 20,000 square feet of space will include a black box theatre, Fine Arts gallery hall showcasing student artists, new band hall, choir space with practice rooms and a mock trial courtroom.
“The proposed renovations to PCA’s Fine Arts facilities, as well as the addition of a black box theatre will be a huge step forward for our school,” said Fine Arts Director Joel T. Rutherford. “These changes to our facilities will allow for increased programming and opportunity for our theatre department as well as greater efficiency and effectiveness for our band, choir and art departments. I couldn’t be more excited about what lies ahead for our Fine Arts Department, and I can’t wait to ‘move in’ to our outstanding new and renovated facilities.”
Through the school’s EQUIP Campaign, Prestonwood Christian Academy has secured 85 percent of the $20 million project goal, enough funding to move forward with construction of its new Middle School building and the renovation of the Fine Arts facility.
“We recognize that our $20 million goal is ambitious, and we want to thank our lead donors for helping us raise the $17.3 million that was needed to break ground today,” said Dr. Taylor. “Our prayer is to raise the remaining $2.7 million needed to make this incredible plan a reality in order to avoid incurring any long-term debt. Historically, our PCA family has always responded generously to capital needs, and we anticipate that they will do so for this project as well!”
Lead EQUIP campaign donors who were recognized at the ceremony are Tim and Peggy Horner, Grace Bridge/Master Cares courtesy of Charles and Carol Loper, Chip and Nicki Loper, Emery and Amy Petrof and Bill and Trisha Ruzynski, in addition to several anonymous donors.
Prestonwood Christian Academy serves more than 1,600 students enrolled at three campuses: Plano (Pre-K3 through 12th grade), PCA North in Prosper (Pre-K3 through 8th grade) and PCAplus Virtual Academy. PCA North is celebrating its fifth school year with more than 160 students, and PCAplus has been serving students for 10 years. PCA has been recognized as having one of the strongest Christian education programs in the country providing intentional biblical worldview training and integration. PCA places great value on the growth of students’ spiritual health in addition to their scholastic endeavors and co-curricular activities. Tantamount to its Spiritual Development plan is PCA’s rigorous Liberal Arts academic program. Since it first graduating class in 2002 through the class of 2018, graduates have been offered more than $110 million in scholarship for academics, arts and athletics from universities and other institutions of higher learning.