Clarkston Community Church on Clarkston Road is growing, and Oakland Christian School is growing along with it.
‘We’ve been an active participant with the church in designing classrooms and the playground,? said Randy Speck, superintendent. ‘It benefits the school and the church. They’ve been great.?
They are moving their Early Childhood Program for children 2 1/2-5 years old into six classrooms in a newly constructed wing of the church, 6300 Clarkston Road.
‘The new space will allow our student population to double in size, to about 200 students,? Speck said.
The school’s kindergarten-third grade program will also be expanded, with room in the future for grades 4-5, said Principal Erin Akers.
‘Many families send children here for preschool, then don’t want to leave, or come back, because of the culture and quality of education we offer,? Akers said.
The Clarkston location expands the school’s Auburn Hills program to north Oakland County, Speck said.
‘Our second largest demographic was here in the Clarkston area ? this was a good move for us,? he said.
As they expand, they will hold student-teacher ratios to 12:1 for younger students, 15:1 for older.
New classrooms are equipped with video projectors and sound system, moveable walls to make bigger spaces, interactive white boards, and computers, Akers said.
‘We’re also adding a media center,? she said.
Students and staff will move into new classrooms in a couple weeks, Speck said.
‘It will be good to be in before the end of school year, to give students a chance to move in and experience it,? he said.
Enrollment at the school has grown 40 percent since 2003, Speck said.
‘Families are looking for a safe place for their children, where they can trust that what happens in the classroom is in sync with their values,? he said.
The Christ-centered school is interdenominational, with about 130 churches represented, he said.
‘It’s a nice mix,? he said. ‘Students don’t come to us for church. They come to use for school.?
Parents are active in the school, helping out in the classroom and afterschool events, Akers said.
‘Parents are here all the time,? she said.
For more information, call 248-625-1324 or check www.oaklandchristian.com.