Hilton Head’s New Path: School Breaks Ground on $8 Million Building
HILTON HEAD, S.C. – April 30, 2024
On a sunny Tuesday morning, local school leaders and community members gathered to celebrate an exciting milestone for Hilton Head Christian Academy. The school officially broke ground on a new $8 million building, as part of their plans to accommodate the growing needs of their student body. While the academy carries the Hilton Head name, it has been located in Bluffton for the past three years to better serve its students.
Doug Langhals, the Head of School, explained the decision to move, saying, “Demographic-wise the majority of our student body was coming from off-island, and so we decided to move out here where the student body was.” This key change has proven successful, as the school saw a remarkable 65% increase in enrollment since relocating. However, with this surge in students, they have now reached the limits of their current facilities.
“We’re in the midst of growth, and we’re at a moment where we have filled up the building that we have. This high school building has always been a part of the master plan but we’re in need of it just for space for students,” Langhals noted during the groundbreaking event.
Current seventh graders, who will be the first to experience high school in the upcoming 16,500 square foot building, were front and center at the ceremony. They eagerly await the new learning environment. Rick Parrish, the Director of Operations from Choate Construction, shared some exciting details about the upcoming structure. “Construction will look a lot like the other buildings on campus. It’s going to have classrooms, lab rooms, and break rooms,” Parrish said.
Connor White, a senior at Hilton Head Christian Academy, expressed his enthusiasm about the new building. He described how the school’s recent facility upgrades had already transformed the learning experience. “This new building that we had about three years ago has revolutionized the way that I’ve been able to learn, whether that be in an open common space or in a classroom like usual,” he explained. White highlighted the opportunities that the new building will offer future students, stating, “As our school grows and our world grows, I think these kids are going to grow up and they’re going to have all these new experiences.”
As of now, the not-for-profit school has raised over 75% of the funding needed for the project, showing strong support from the community and previous success in their fundraising efforts. The goal is to have the new building ready for students by the fall of 2025, which has many looking forward to its completion.
With this construction project, Hilton Head Christian Academy is making significant strides in providing a quality education to their increasingly diverse student body. It’s not just about building structures; it’s about building futures in a thriving and expanding community.
As the groundbreaking ceremony wrapped up, excitement filled the air. Parents, students, and faculty members looked ahead with optimism, knowing this project stands to enhance their educational experience and meet the needs of many young learners in the years to come.
