Courtesy Saratoga Independent School
Saratoga Independent School announced an additional $300,000 in contributions toward its $1.5 million Soaring to New Heights capital campaign.
It brings the total funds raised to $1.1 million. The focus of this campaign is to complete the interior of a new 20,000-square-foot academic wing for its middle school expansion.
Also, Head of School Lisa Brown said a generous donor has offered a matching gift of up to $200,000 for all new gifts and pledges made by September. When fully raised, the dollar-for-dollar matching funds will successfully complete the campaign’s $1.5 million goal, and be used for scholarships, programming, equipment, and facilities.
“In addition to the classroom space needed for our expanding middle school grades, the new wing will also include a library, art room, and STEM lab to be utilized by all students,” said Brown.
Soaring to New Heights was launched in 2017. The capital campaign attracted support from 100 percent of the school’s faculty, staff, and trustees. Furthermore, school families and the active Parent Association have helped raise nearly $75,000 this year for its annual fund, officials said.
“The new academic wing and middle school program are not only a benefit to our school community but also to the greater Saratoga community as well,” said Catherine LoMonico, school board president and campaign co-chair. “The presence of an independent pre-K through Middle School program is attractive to families moving to the area and buying homes, and provides new employment opportunities as we grow our staff and faculty.”
Julie Fuller, parent and campaign co-chair, said “One of the greatest challenges and responsibilities of parents is seeing to their children’s education and at Saratoga Independent School we don’t feel that we are shouldering that challenge alone. SIS develops confident learners, capable of independent thinking and academic success. With SIS’s personalized instruction, high academic standards and experiential learning, we’re proud to have our son be enrolled in the first-class of middle schoolers.”
The middle school expansion—currently serving its first class of sixth graders and adding seventh grade for 2019-20 and eighth grade for 2020-21—offers students a rigorous academic program preparing them for enrollment in advanced programs and selective high schools.
Founded in 1991, Saratoga Independent School is fully accredited by the state Independent Schools Association and chartered by the state Board of Regents. Next year, the school will serve 150 students in grades pre-kindergarten through seventh, residing in 13 different school districts. Enrollment is still under way and prospective families may contact the school at 518-583-0841 or info@siskids.org.