Phase I of Spring Street International School construction…

I had been pretty surprised to see a new building going up in the middle of what had been the Spring Street International School parking lot for many years, but after getting the scoop from Debbi Fincher, it all makes perfect sense. Here are the plans for this summer and beyond:

Head of School Louis O’Prussack in front of the newest building on Spring Street International School’s campus…

Construction has begun at Friday Harbor’s Spring Street International School this summer on a building to house two new classrooms for the kids of the school,  and a dormitory to accommodate 18 international and U.S. boarding students. The new classrooms and the dormitory represent the first phase of the school’s long-range campus plan that includes the addition of a Commons building, the remodeling of existing classroom buildings to double the number of classrooms and the addition of a third classroom building in the future.

This summer’s construction also will add off-street parking and create a series of pathways to formally connect all elements of the campus, which includes the historic Nash House, at the corner of Spring and Caines Streets, where the school has been located most of the time since it began 17 years ago.

Construction of the new classrooms building began earlier this month. Herko Construction of Friday Harbor is the contractor. It is scheduled for occupancy in time for the start of the school’s 2012-13 academic year. Construction of the dormitory is expected to be completed by November 1. The new dormitory replaces nearby leased space the school has used for its boarding students for the past five years. Armstrong Construction of Auburn is the contractor. Financing for the projects is being provided by Islander’s Bank and by contributions and loans from supporters and interested parties.

Spring Street International School has been connecting the classroom to the real world since 1995. The school is noted for its academic rigor and progressive educational philosophy of individual development in which teachers teach students, not classes, striving to develop each student’s ability to think deeply, creatively and analytically. The school also has a longstanding commitment to providing island and boarding students the opportunity to develop an appreciation of the breadth and diversity of the world and its cultures, in the process promoting tolerance, respect for others and compassion.

Spring Street International School has grown over the years to a middle school and high school enrollment of about 75 students, including more than a dozen from foreign countries. Anyone with questions about or interest in SSIS plans for growth to better serve our community is encouraged to contact Louis O’Prussack, Head of School, or Jerry Riley, Development Director, at 360-378-6393.

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