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BY ERIKA ANDERSON
Staff Writer
ATLANTA--Children using white plastic shovels helped to break ground for a
new addition and renovation project at Christ the King School Oct. 1, marking
the beginning of the school’s biggest expansion and improvement program in
its 63-year history.
Msgr. Thomas Kenny, rector of the Cathedral, led students, faculty and staff
of the school in prayer before the groundbreaking.
“We come together today to break ground for our new school addition. As
we do, we are aware that Christ the King School has been a symbol of knowledge
and truth for the neighborhood and for the community of Atlanta for over 60
years,” he said. “May all those who see this construction realize
that all learning and knowledge has as its final purpose to bring humanity to
the knowledge and truth of God. Let us pray for God’s help in bringing
this construction to a successful completion and may God’s protection keep
those who work on the new addition safe from injury. We ask this in Jesus’
name.”
After a Scripture reading by Peggy Warner, principal of CKS, and
intercessions read by members of the student council, Msgr. Kenny blessed the
ground with holy water and broke the ground, assisted by Warner, the student
council and the rest of the students.
The $5 million project is the largest the school has experienced since it
was opened by the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart in 1936. In 1962, the Hyland
Center was added, giving the students a gymnasium.
Thanks to the “Building the Church of Tomorrow” Capital Campaign
held in 1997, the school is receiving $2 million in space and improvements as
part of the Cathedral renovation project. An additional $2.4 million has been
generated through foundations, leadership gifts and pledges from parents. In
addition, $1.8 million is being raised through a campaign this fall.
Mary Beth Grady, co-chair of the school’s capital campaign, said that
committee members are surprised and excited by the financial response. A
feasibility study was done and the campaign committee was told that it was
probable that many people would not give to another capital campaign so close
to the one in 1997.
“It is unbelievable the response that we’ve had,” she said.
“I think that the school just has such a historical tug on so many people
… I don’t have children at the school anymore, but it provided such
an oasis and such a wonderful atmosphere for my boys that I’m happy to
still be involved in it … It’s really struck a chord in these
parents.”
Planning for the $5 million project began five years ago as a way of
lowering the student-teacher ratio. The expansion program will add a third
class for grades one through six, reducing class size to student numbers in the
low 20s.
“I’m thrilled,” Warner said. “It means that children
will be able to get more direct help right from their teacher.”
Warner said the smaller class size will also help CKS compete with other
private schools in the Buckhead area.
“We want our academic program to be our strong selling point,” she
said.
The school currently has 476 students enrolled in kindergarten through
eighth grade.
Craig Mullins, co-chair of the capital campaign, said that when discussion
began about reducing class size, the only initial suggestion was to decrease
total enrollment.
“There’s really no way to reduce enrollment when there is such a
demand,” he said. “This way, we are finally able to keep the
enrollment the same and still reduce teacher-student ratio. That’s been
our primary goal.”
The school has piggybacked its construction and renovation with that being
done at the Cathedral. By consolidating the construction projects, the school
will be able to save a minimum of $500,000. Architects for both projects are
Surber, Barber, Choate & Hertlein. H.C. Beck is the contractor.
The project will add a net total of 12,000 square feet to the school. This
includes the first floor of the new parish center, which will house three new
classrooms and a media center for the school. Though the majority of this space
will be for direct educational use, some areas will be provided for student
activities, staff, administration and storage.
The centerpiece of the project will be the construction of a two-story
classroom building along Peachtree Way. Workers returned to the original
limestone quarry that produced the school’s existing limestone building so
that the new facade would match both the school and Cathedral buildings. This
building will allow for the addition of the new classes as well as a
state-of-the-art science lab.
The D’Youville Building, named for the saint who founded the Grey Nuns,
will also be renovated. A new larger reception area will be added. Currently,
the administration is dispersed throughout the building. Renovations will allow
the administrative staff to work together on one floor.
“It’s really awkward with us all over the building,” Warner
said. “This is going to enable us to finally work together on the first
floor.”
As part of the D’Youville renovations, the school clinic will be
enlarged and improved and a new, larger, soundproof music room will be located
on the second floor. The cafeteria will be remodeled. Many of the bathrooms in
the D’Youville Building have already been renovated and enlarged. A
second-floor will also be added to the breezeway connector between the
D’Youville Building and classrooms.
A monitored main entrance will allow for enhanced security and a courtyard
will be created in conjunction with the new entrance. The courtyard will also
be used for small gatherings and events.
The school’s chapel will be renovated as well. This includes
restoration of the unique stained glass windows that depict the work of the
Grey Nuns.
“It’s a beautiful little chapel,” Warner said. “The
possibilities for it are endless.”
The project includes the installment of a central heating and air
conditioning system and renovations to the outside of the school, such as
landscaping and the playground. A covered playground will be added, allowing
the children to play outside even in rainy weather.
Members of the campaign committee hope to have the renovations completed by
August 2000.
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