Shalom Christian Academy completes phase two of expansion project in Chambersburg
"It’s great seeing this come to fruition; I’m speechless. It’s such a blessing being a part of this," said Shalom Christian Academy Administrator Angie Petersheim during the elementary expansion open house Sunday afternoon.
The school broke ground on the project in late April of 2021 and officially moved into the new fourth-and fifth-grade classrooms on Sept. 15.
The expansion, known as phase two, includes a multi-purpose room for the elementary students and its own secure reception area and cost $4 million to complete.
"It’s overwhelmingly fantastic for me to see this open to our students now," said elementary principal Jaime Keller. "We are really excited for the multi-purpose room where we can hold chapel service and music classes."
The school, located at 126 Social Island Road in Chambersburg, was established in 1976, and according to Mike Shaker, director of development, the core values of Shalom remains the same as it was years ago.
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"From the very beginning people laid a foundation for Shalom, and they laid it very well. Today we are here because of that foundation," Shaker said. “We are up 150 students this year and it didn’t just happen; it is because of the hard work that we are still doing."
“We know we are doing a great job academically but the critical part that I see is our living curriculum, our teachers, who teach the character of Christ."
The campaign, totaling a $15 million goal, began March 4, 2019 and has two phases left to go.
Phase three is set to include new fine arts spaces, upgrade and expand the gym as well as lighting, sound and surface improvements. Phase four will renovate the high school classrooms, main entryway, lobby and office as well as improve student services and increase scholarship funds.
Starting dates for the final two phases have yet to be announced.
Shalom Christian Academy sits on 34 acres and has over 600 students enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade. For more information visit ShalomCampaign.com.