OLA Completes Campus Expansion Project |
On November 26, 2018, students and teachers returned from Thanksgiving break to begin classes in our new 24,000 square foot building. After just six months of construction, our long-awaited campus expansion and enhancement project was complete. Students, teachers, and parents celebrated the new wing at the Grand Opening celebration on December 4 with a blessing from Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory.
“The expansion is an essential step in transforming OLA and our student’s experience. The project supports nearly every aspect of our mission,” said Lisa Cordell, Principal of OLA.
Improvements and features include the relocation of the main entrance to a more central location within the new building providing a focal point for the school. An atrium shining with natural light serves as a flexible activity space for a variety of school events, including cultural presentations, student programs, arts exhibitions, and receptions.
OLA students now have the wonderful opportunity to learn in the new state-of-the-art STEM lab, as well as dine in a larger cafeteria with nutritious meals provided by SAGE Dining. Middle school students have their own wing complete with lockers. An elevator was added to improve access for all and was extremely popular on Grandparent’s Day. These are just some of the exciting improvements and opportunities the new building has provided. Most importantly, this new expansion has enabled OLA to offer admissions to all qualified parishioner families, whereas in the past, the school could not, due to lack of classroom space.
“For decades to come, our school will serve the needs of our students by providing them with a twenty-first century learning environment that will allow them to excel in all aspects of academics while continuing our mission: to create a nurturing environment grounded in the Catholic faith, which provides for the spiritual and academic development of each child,” says Lisa Cordell. “We are proud of our new space and extend an invitation to any members of our OLA community who would like to visit. Please come see our wonderful new building.”
