Collegedale Academy (CA) had a groundbreaking ceremony for its new elementary school building on Sept. 13. The building will be built adjacent to the middle school on College Drive East.
Marilee Silverstein, director of Advancement at CA, shared some details about the event in an email to the Accent. The ceremony took place at the CA middle school. As guests arrived, the high school jazz band played.
The ceremony began with a welcome by Rick Stern, who chairs the school’s financial campaign, titled “Inspire Now and for Eternity.” Head of School and CA Principal Brent Baldwin gave guests an overview of the new project and its key features.
Lastly, Tennessee General Assembly Representative Greg Vital presented a State of Tennessee Proclamation as a tribute to CA. The tribute honored CA as one of the schools in Tennessee that holds a place of honor in the cultural and educational history of the state.
“The Proclamation commended the groundbreaking of Collegedale Academy’s new elementary building, extending the very best wishes for future success,” Silverstein wrote.
In his welcome at the groundbreaking ceremony, Stern referred to Christian education as one of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s greatest evangelism tools. He said it is the “front door” to our entire school and church program.
According to Silverstein, the elementary school building is expected to be complete and operating by August of 2025.
“The new building will be a shining example of Collegedale Academy’s commitment to providing top-quality Christian education for all students,” Silverstein said, “and will be a source of pride for the community for years to come.”
