Building Updates

Building Update: 8/13/2024

On Jul 25, 2024, we sent an update stating that our offer to purchase the Garfield Elementary building from Cedar Rapids Community School District was not accepted. In addition, we promised to keep you informed on new information as it became available. While the following details may not address all of the concerns and questions that our community has, we pray that it will provide you with some clarity as we move forward.

Record enrollment numbers have shown us that many in our community desire to seek a Christian education at Isaac Newton Christ Academy. As a school, it is our desire to serve as many families as possible. Therefore, the Facilities Committee has been exploring both long-term and short-term solutions that will allow us to continue the mission of Developing Christlike Character and Academic Excellence in our students.

Short-term Solution:

• This summer we have divided the existing cafeteria into two spaces that can be used as temporary learning spaces while we search for a long-term solution. This means that students will be eating their lunches in classrooms with their homeroom teacher during this transition phase.

Long-term Solutions:

• Linking the school building and the Patriot Center: The Facilities Committee is exploring potential plans to design a building that will link the existing school building and the Patriot Center. The design focus is a larger kitchen, cafeteria, and music room, with room to grow if needed. This process is ongoing, as the Facilities Committee is working with a commercial design firm to develop conceptual designs for a connection building and to seek City of Cedar Rapids’ guidance for preliminary approvals to build. These preliminary approved concepts are expected to be completed sometime this fall. Once completed, they will be shared with our Capital Campaign Committee to begin fundraising efforts. The school leadership will be seeking Linn Christian Education Association’s (LCEA) input at any point once the concepts are complete.
• Seeking out additional properties: Simultaneously, we’ve engaged a commercial real estate agent to identify properties that may become available while we work through on-site expansion. Our hope is to find a way to expand on-site, unless God brings the right property forward for us to grow in.

We are committed to following the leading of the Lord  and our mission of “Developing Christlike Character and Academic Excellence,” in every student that we serve. We will continue to provide additional updates as they become available.

If you have any questions or concerns, we encourage you to forward them to feedback@incaonline.org.