American Renaissance School has started a capital campaign to raise funds of around $15 million for constructing new facilities, technology and programs, including an arts and science center. The public charter school does not have access to state lottery proceeds, hence relies on per pupil funding it gets from Iredell County and the State of North Carolina. However, the majority of this funding must be used for teacher and staff salaries. Therefore, it is necessary to be efficient and operate with lean budgets. Investing in new facilities will enable the school to better serve its students and the community, and restructure the program by adding an intermediate program. ARS is a 25-year-old school that currently has an elementary building on Broad Street and a middle school building on Center Steet. The school is utilizing space in First ARP Church during the expansion project. Additionally, the Eighth-Grade Chorus performed three songs under the guidance of music teacher Brad Rashley.
American Renaissance School (ARS) has initiated a capital campaign to raise funds for new facilities, technology, and programs. The public charter school plans to invest about $15 million in property acquisition and construction of new facilities for its Downtown Statesville campus. The Board of Directors and administration organized a luncheon in the new Gym & Activity Center to garner support for various projects. ARS has purchased a building on Cooper Street that is being renovated for classroom space and the old Record & Landmark building on Broad Street, which will be converted into an arts and science center.
ARS depends on per pupil funding it receives from Iredell County and the State of North Carolina to pay for capital expenses as it does not have access to state lottery proceeds earmarked for brick-and-mortar projects. However, approximately 70 percent of that money must be used for teacher and staff salaries. Hence, the school needs to be efficient and operate with lean budgets. According to Executive Director Jim Duffey, investing in new facilities will enable ARS to better serve its students and the community.
ARS will have a full-size gymnasium for the first time after investing in the new facilities. A 100-seat theatre in the arts and science center is also planned to be used by the school and local theatre groups and be available for events like the Full Bloom Film Festival. The restructuring plan will also add an intermediate program, which means that the elementary program will serve K-3 students, intermediate will serve grades 4-6 and middle grades 7-8.
ARS is a 25-year-old school that opened at Allison Woods in 1998 and moved into the old Bryant building a year later. ARS currently has an elementary building on Broad Street and a middle school building on Center Steet, and is utilizing space in First ARP Church during the expansion project. The campaign kick-off featured performances by K-3 music students and the eighth-grade chorus. ARS Board of Directors Chair Tracy Sain, teacher long-time elementary teacher Robyn Robbins, and parent Ron Smith discussed the importance of the new facilities and what the school means to the students and the community.
Lastly, elementary students performed “We are the Gryphons,” an original composition by music teacher Sarah Rogers. The investment in new facilities will enable ARS to provide a better learning experience to students and serve the community better.
Under the guidance of music teacher Brad Rashley, the Eighth-Grade Chorus sang three songs.
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