Pueblo West Christian Academy & Kinderkirk Preschool

EXPANSION UPDATE

What once began as a mother's day out program in 1976 has grown into a top ten percent in the nation, elementary school!

Pueblo West Christian Academy will soon have more than 100 students, including 4 full-day Kindergarten programs, 2 first grade classrooms and curriculum through 5th grade. In order to continue providing for the families within this school, PWCA needs to expand its facilities. Progress for this thriving Pueblo West program means adding another location.

The "West Campus"of PWCA will open in the fall of 2010. While Kindergarteners will remain on-site at the Ecumenical Church, 1st thru 5th grade will have an exciting new school grounds awaiting them for the 2010-2011 school year.

Larry Smith, pastor of The Cowboy Church, generously donated property from his 21 acre site that was once the Equestrian Center of Pueblo West. Located on McCulloch, just northeast of the Shriners'facility, Pastor Smith, who insists on being called Larry, has renamed the facility, Wild West Stables. "We offer boarding, riding classes and other services to the community, but our first calling is the ministry of the Cowboy Church" explains Larry. "When we were approached as a possible school expansion site, it just seemed the right thing to do."

Beginning this spring and throughout the summer, staff and dedicated volunteers from all over the community will erect 6 classrooms, a library, computer lab, playground and 17,000 square foot multi-purpose building as the West Campus of PWCA.

Kinderkirk preschool, as a ministry of The Ecumenical Church of Pueblo West, was the first step in this journey. For countless Pueblo West Residents, Kinderkirk was a piece of their childhood as well as the preschool for their own children today. It was the very first preschool to earn the coveted ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) accreditation in all of southern Colorado and it too will continue to thrive. The Ecumenical Church will be able to expand its early education curriculum to more families than ever! Plans are also being discussed to open daycare alternatives for children under the age of 2 � as a safe, caring environment for many families in need.

"This is an unprecedented cooperative effort in our growing community," cited Director of Development Rebecca Kaspari. The 17,000 sqft. multi-purpose building will be available for community purposes after school hours. "We welcome any resident or fellow nonprofit organization, to join us and make the most of this generous contribution."

A community meeting is scheduled at the Pueblo West Library Wednesday, March 10th at 6:30pm to unveil an artist's rendering of the project, construction timeline and accept proposals from the community for other possible programming within the multi-purpose building.

Director of PWCA, Joy Morales Cress, had this message to pass on to the community, "Through God's grace, the dedication of numerous volunteers, committed faculty and parents alike, our school will continue to grow. Please join us March 10th and let us know your organization's need in our community and how perhaps we can work together in the future." Interested nonprofits and residents that would like to participate in this Pueblo West progress should contact the school at 647-2868 or www.pwcakids.com.