By Jill Fennema

Southwest MN Christian Schools recently chose a general contractor to oversee their proposed building project. After inviting several general contracting companies to submit bids and come visit the school, the SWC board opted to go with Gil Haugan, a Sioux Falls commercial contractor who has worked with Sioux Falls Christian in the past. 

The school started a $12 Million Capital Campaign titled, “Forward on a Firm Foundation” in November. The project will include five more classrooms, a library, and special education space on the west side of the elementary school. At the high school, an industrial arts/ag education area, locker rooms, as well as an expanded cafeteria and a new fitness area, are included.  

Why does the school need the additional space? The school has seen steady increase in enrollment at the elementary campus for the past dozen years, and both campuses have seen more growth since 2020 (see chart on Page 2). SWC is also looking forward to expanding hands-on education opportunities while desiring to provide spaces that support appropriate education for SWC students and families. 

Total enrollment for the 2024-25 school year is 414 students. Currently, they have an average of 28 students per grade and average size classroom of 16. With the additional classroom space at the elementary campus, they will have two classrooms for each grade level at the elementary school.

Captions: Preschool students in SWC’s Kingdom Kids program have class at the Runal’s Memorial Hall. Their space is also the space that the senior citizen’s use, so the teachers move their furniture on afternoons that the seniors meet.