Blue Oak Middle School’s new campus in downtown Napa opened for the first class on Wednesday, completing two years of construction at a cost of about $23 million.
The private school’s campus at 1461 Polk Street consists of a 10,000 square foot school building with eight classrooms, a 10,000 square foot gymnasium with sports halls, a culinary arts teaching kitchen, and a theater hall.
Etta Williams, director of continuing education at Blue Oak School, said the new middle school will be able to accommodate a maximum of 120 sixth, seventh and eighth grade students, with about 75 students currently enrolled.
The elementary school across the street has 92 students and a capacity of 120 students, from transitional kindergarten through fifth grade.
“We are confident that this new campus will allow us to serve more students in the greater Napa Valley community who are interested in placing their middle school-aged children in a small and inclusive school environment,” Williams said.
The middle school campus was previously located at 1272 Hayes Street and is now being converted into a new campus for Mentis, a Napa-based nonprofit that provides mental health and wellness services.
According to Williams, the transition to the newly built middle school has allowed for increased enrollment, cross-grade collaborative projects between middle and elementary schools, and easier access to downtown, which she said will support the school’s educational efforts.
“We are fortunate to have so many cultural and environmental institutions within walking distance that can support our students’ learning through authentic, hands-on experiences,” said Williams.
The new gym will also allow for an expansion of the school’s athletic program, she said. The school’s basketball and volleyball teams could host games, and the hall will serve as a potential center for performing arts and community-building activities.
“Knowing that there is limited space for gyms in our community, we are very open and interested in partnering with other organizations in the larger community to see how our new facilities can continue to improve the lives of families in the greater Napa area,” she said.
The school’s annual tuition is $19,000 for transitional kindergarten, $24,040 for kindergarten through fifth grade, and $29,830 for middle school, according to its website. Over 40% of families with children enrolled at Blue Oak receive tuition subsidies based on their individual financial situation, with the school allocating approximately $1 million each year for these subsidies.
To reach Editor Edward Booth, call 707-521-5281 or [email protected].
