Work awaits private schools, students

New construction awaits the students of Columbia County's two largest private schools when classes begin this week.

Augusta Christian Schools will receive about 650 students Monday at two campuses.

"We purchased the former Baker Woods Baptist Church at 470 Furys Ferry Road and have converted it into a school," said Lynn Wilkerson, the director of school activities for Augusta Christian. "It will house (kindergarten) through fifth grade. Then we'll have sixth through 12th grade at our Baston Road campus."

Work on the new campus delayed the start of school for a week, and some other problems could still lie ahead, Wilkerson said.

"The parents need to be patient with the construction on Furys Ferry Road," she said. "You not only have our construction, which will be finished by then, but you have the road construction. The car lines the first few days may be tough, but it will get better."

School officials will help guide traffic in an effort to keep student drop-offs and pick-ups running smoothly.

Augusta Preparatory Day School, with an enrollment of 545 students, starts back Tuesday.

Several construction projects are under way at the school on Flowing Wells Road.

Augusta Prep is getting a new wing to its lower school, construction recently began on a new 24,000-square-foot gymnasium, and officials will break ground on a fine arts center in the fall. Most recently, the school completed adding room to its library.

"It's just been an incredible addition," Head of Schools Jack Hall said.

A new student orientation will be held at Augusta Prep on Monday.

"At orientation day they're coming to meet their teachers," Hall said. "There'll be lots of parents and lots of parents looking around."