Wheaton Christian breaks ground on new grammar school

Wheaton Christian Grammar School broke ground Thursday on the centerpiece structure of what will become a 35-acre campus in Winfield.

Hundreds of students wearing plastic yellow hard hats cheered as they watched the ceremonial moving of dirt for the new school building. Joining the celebration in a dusty cornfield were parents, school officials, local dignitaries, and past and present board members.

Head of School Steve Clum told the crowd that the goal is to start classes by August 2010 at the site, which is south of St. Charles Road along Taylor Drive.

"As we look forward with great anticipation to the new school here," Clum said, "may we be quick to seek God and give him the glory."

Once completed, the school will feature state-of-the-art classrooms to accommodate up to 650 kindergartners to eighth-graders, a library, a dedicated fine arts wing and athletic facilities.

According to Legat Architects, which designed the building, the structure will maximize natural light - something that has been linked to enhanced student performance.

The 92,000-square-foot facility will be nearly twice as large as the 1951-era building that the school currently occupies at 530 E. Harrison Ave., Wheaton.

That's great news for parents Scott and Laura Swoboda, who say the existing building has outgrown its current enrollment of nearly 500 students. One of their daughters is taught in one of six mobile classrooms.

"This (the construction project) has been a long time in the making," said Laura Swoboda, who also attended the school. "So it's just really thrilling to be a part of it."

Before the ceremony, students showed their excitement by gathering in the areas where their future classrooms will be. Yellow tape on the ground provided a rough outline for where the building will stand.

So far, an estimated $20 million in cash and pledges has been raised for the roughly $26 million project, school officials said.

During Thursday's event, Mike English, president of the Wheaton Christian Grammar School board, thanked the families, faculty, alumni and others who have contributed to the ongoing fundraising effort.

"Your investment is producing more than bricks and mortar," he said. "You are changing the world by allowing students to prepare for a life of integrity and impact."

Eighth-grader Ann Marie Bagge said the new building represents another chapter for a ministry that's been thriving since the school opened in 1942.

"My prayer is not only that this new building will grow the number of students attending Wheaton Christian Grammar School," she said, "but it will also help contribute to the kingdom of God."

For more information about the construction project, visit the school's Web site at wheatonchristian.org.