Confetti flew through the air at Summit Christian Academy Monday as school leaders and donors cut the ribbon on the new Goppert Classroom Wing. The 11,000-square-foot wing added nine interactive classrooms to the south side of the secondary building on the 38-acre campus. It also offers additional restrooms and a nurse’s office. At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Head of School Linda Harrelson noted that SCA was able to fund the new Goppert wing through donations and without incurring debt.
Students, teachers, donors and community partners circled the interior of the building following the ribbon cutting. They joined hands encompassing the old and new sections of the buildings for a prayer marking the celebratory occasion.
“We are celebrating the school’s 30th anniversary this year and give glory to God for all that He has accomplished in and through us over the years,” Harrelson said in a statement. “How exciting it is to be part of a mission that inspires students to achieve their God-given potential.”
The new classrooms were built by Fogel Anderson Construction and designed by HMN Architects. The new classrooms feature technology upgrades and white board walls to allow students opportunities for interactivity and collaboration.
Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council President & CEO Rick McDowell said investments such as the one in the Goppert Classroom Wing represent the Lee’s Summit community’s commitment to excellence in education.
“Having a fully-accredited private school that is one of the top five private schools in the Kansas City area, like Summit Christian Academy, ensures that no matter where Lee’s Summit parents choose to send their children to school, those students will get a quality education that prepares them for their future,” said McDowell. “SCA is an asset to our community and we are excited to see it grow.”
State Senator Ed Emery was among those who attended the ceremony Monday. Emery represents a portion of Lee’s Summit and all of Cass County. He was also a good friend with one of the founders. Emery said he was glad to be part of the celebration.
“Quality education that consistently turns children into adults is immeasurably valuable,” said Emery. “It [the celebration] was an encouraging and visionary celebration of how the debt-free and timely construction demonstrated the great God they serve and proclaim at SCA.”
SCA’s inaugural year in 1989 had 32 students. Today, the non-denominational Christian school enrolls 850 students from preschool-12th grade.