Wheaton Christian's new school ready for its close-up

After more than a year of construction, Wheaton Christian Grammar School is providing a sneak peek of the centerpiece structure on its future 35-acre campus in Winfield.

A Saturday cornerstone ceremony is planned at the new 92,000-square-foot school building, which is scheduled to have its first day of classes on Aug. 24.

More than 700 parents, students and alumni are expected to take tours of the roughly $25 million facility throughout the day on Saturday. They also will say goodbye to the 1950s-era building the school now occupies at 530 E. Harrison Ave. in Wheaton.

Principal Mike Rogers said he's looking forward to the transition from the existing building to Wheaton Christian's new home at 1N350 Taylor Drive.

"I am excited for kids to be able to experience a building that is designed for the 21st century," Rogers said during a recent walk-through of the structure. "I am excited for teachers to be able to have the opportunity to come to work in this type of an environment that allows them to be as successful as they can. It's also great for parents and families who are investing in what we are doing."

The new building includes 27 state-of-the-art classrooms to accommodate up to 650 kindergartners to eighth-graders, a 3,000-square-foot library, a science laboratory, a gymnasium and a dedicated fine arts wing. It also maximizes natural light - something that has been linked to enhanced student performance.

Most importantly, the building is specifically designed to meet Wheaton Christian's existing and future educational needs.

"We're using some rooms in the other building that really aren't set up to be used for instrumental music, vocal music or even a computer lab," Head of School Stephen Clum said. "We have a lot of dedicated spaces here (in the new facility) that we didn't have in the other building."

For example, there are rooms between every two classrooms that can be used as shared learning spaces where students can study, take tests or get extra help.

"We're trying to avoid having kids sitting in desks out in the hallways making up quizzes and tests," Rogers said. "The idea is to keep them out of the hall and in there."

School officials do want to get kids out of the classroom during lunchtime.

Thanks to a combination cafeteria and auditorium, students no longer have to eat at their desks. A sound booth overlooks the area, which can be used for concerts, plays and other events.

"I have been here 36 years, and the whole time you just get used to how we've always done it: Kids eating lunch in the class," said Roger Burgess, the school's assistant principal. "Now we have an opportunity to do it differently. It will be great."

The new structure also is energy-efficient because of its ground-sourced geothermal heat pump system, which takes advantage of the earth's constant temperature of 55 degrees to heat and cool the building.

"This is cutting edge," Director of Development Bob Broman said. "This is super efficient. They estimate that our energy costs will go down by 50 percent."

Overall, officials say, the new building represents another chapter for a ministry that's been thriving since the school opened in 1942.

"We have time to grow into this building," Clum said. "This is exciting for all of us. It's why we are here."