JCC New Albany Preschool Seeks New Home

Just as children grow, so do their schools. And while this is a positive thing, it does present challenges to school administrators.

Such is the case at the JCC New Albany Preschool, which shares spaces with the Columbus Jewish Day School (CJDS). CJDS has a lease agreement with the New Albany - Plain Local School District, which will expire in the summer of the 2009 school year and will not be renewed.

As a result, the JCC NAP and CJDS will be co-locating and move to a new campus beginning in the fall of 2009 on land that has been made available by The New Albany Company.

"This new location is just blocks away from our current building on State Route 161 just east of Reynoldsburg New Albany Road and will provide the space for both schools to build for their own needs," said Carol Folkerth, JCC Executive director. "Both JCC NAP and CJDS wings will share a building that will house the gymnasium, multipurpose/community space, offices and a conference room."

The JCC has determined future classroom needs and specifications and have met with a number of architectural firms and construction companies to gauge the timing and cost of the project. "Together, the JCC and CJDS have selected architect Brian Kent Jones. Brian's firm provides architectural services for a number of clients in New Albany and comes highly recommended," said Folkerth.

"The JCC's portion of the project will be funded through a Capital Campaign that is being developed in partnership with the Columbus Jewish Federation. The goal of the campaign is to raise at least $5 million for preschool and services to young families in New Albany, the Northwest and College Avenue with the Northeast facility to be built first," she said.

"Although part of the funding for the project will be used for 'bricks and mortar,' the overall goal is to develop JCC preschools as 'Best in Class' in comparison to other preschools across the country," she said.