By Chris Spangler
The first of two construction phases for Crown of Life Christian Academy is under way in Fort Atkinson.
MSI General is the contractor for the work, which began June 14 and is expected to be completed by the start of the 2022-23 school year.
A ceremonial groundbreaking took place May 28, led by the Rev. Aaron Winkelmann of Bethany Lutheran Church and John Kutz of MSI General.
Being built on Fort Atkinson’s northwest side, just east of the State Highway 26 bypass at the western end of Montclair Place, the $4.6 million project calls for a total 30,200-square-foot building built in two phases.
The first phase covers 23,800 square feet and will include an educational wing, a library media center, an administrative wing, a science/STEM lab, a music and art room, a middle school-size gym, restrooms, a cafeteria and kitchen.
The new space also will include an outdoor patio, greenspace to use for learning, as well as athletic fields.
Phase 2 will total 6,500 square feet and include an expansion of the gym, more offices in the administrative wing and special education classrooms.
Low-maintenance exterior materials will consist of pre-colored Concrete Masonry Units (CMU) and vertical aluminum metal siding with a faux wood grain finish that also is very low maintenance.
“Our K-8 staff, along with 200-plus students, will make this campus their home starting in the 2022-23 academic school year,” said Sarah Moore, director of development at Crown of Life Christian Academy.
She noted that the early childhood program will remain on the current campus at Bethany Lutheran Church in its newly remodeled early childhood center.
“Our final phase of the academy will include an early childhood center on the new site,” Moore added.
Crown of Life Christian Academy opened its doors for pupils in pre-2 kindergarten through eighth grade in August of 2019.
Supported by Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson, Crown of Life is part of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). However, it is not a traditional church-based parochial school, as it is designed to serve the entire community, with all subjects in the curriculum taught from a Christian point of view.
“At Crown of Life Christian Academy, we prioritize faith, scripture and excellence,” Moore said. “Our core values of trust, humility, teamwork and optimism are used as guideposts in all decisionmaking processes, classroom management and teaching, and overall academy culture.
“We value partnering with our families as we strive to help grow and develop each student academically, socially, emotionally and, most important, spiritually,” she added. “Crown of Life is driven by its mission statement to serve our community through the proclamation of God’s word, the pursuit of academic excellence, and the establishment of meaningful relationships with the children and families it serves.”
Crown of Life Christian Academy has received exemplary accreditation status by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod School Accreditation (WELSSA).This accreditation also is certified on the national level through the National Council for Private School Accreditations.
Moore said that all families interested in learning more about the academy should visit its website and book a tour. While the 2021-22 admissions window technically has closed, school officials still are giving tours and students may be placed in a “waiting pool.”
“Certain classrooms still do have room for the next school year, so we encourage all families interested to set up that tour right away,” she stated. “With that said, our enrollment for the 2022-23 school year will begin in February of the 2021-22 school year.”
Moore said more information is available by contacting (920) 563-2278 or info@crownoflifeacademy.org.
An artist’s drawing shows the completed Crown of Life Christian Academy. The building is scheduled to open by the start of the 2022-23 school year.
Drawings supplied.
Floor plan shows Phase 1 of construction.
Floor plans shows the building after Phase 2 is completed, with additional gym space and several more classrooms.
Three photos above: members of the Crown of Life community attend a groundbreaking ceremony for the new academy held May 28. Submitted photos.
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