Santa Fe Christian Schools is going interactive with a new, state-of-the-art technology center and library.
The $2.5 million, 14,800-square-foot facility has been funded by contributions from supporters of the private school in Solana Beach.
The tech center will include six computer teaching labs and several research stations and laptop interfaces. One lab will be dedicated to distance learning, giving the school’s 750 students access to video-conferencing and interactive educational instruction locally, nationally and globally.
All computers will have access to a high-speed Internet connection. Sophisticated filtering software will be used to block inappropriate material.
“The new center will allow students of Santa Fe Christian Schools to utilize the most technologically advanced tools available for their education,” said Randy Peterson, school planner for HMC Architects. “It will put the school at the forefront of such efforts in San Diego County.”
The center, which is expected to be completed early next year, will also hold 30,000 books and will have several large study areas, as well as an outdoor study patio that will include a fireplace.
Chuck Leslie, director of development for Santa Fe Christian Schools, said it’s important for the private school to keep up with the times.
“Schools are becoming more and more technology based in every classroom,” he said. “It is important to us that our kids, after they graduate, are prepared for college and for the work force, which is much more technology based.”
The technology center/library is the first part of a $10 million building project scheduled to be built within the next two years. Nearly $6 million has been raised so far.
The project will also include a state-of-the-art science center.
“We are excited that through this campaign and building, we are planning to offer as good of a technology school and experience that is available,” Leslie said.
