The expansion and renovation of Christian Brothers School in New Orleans, LA, highlight the school’s 50th anniversary celebration. Since its establishment, the school has been housed in a mansion that served as a private vacation home in the early 1900s. The Brothers lease the mansion from the city of New Orleans, which they renovated and opened in 1960 as a school/residence.
The first floor is used for classrooms and the Brothers’ residence is located on the second floor. Although the structure has been continually upgraded, today’s educational needs require more space.
Construction started in March on the addition, which will include four classrooms, a multipurpose room, regulation-size gymnasium, stage, offices for faculty and coaches, storage room, and a concession area for events. That should be finished by March 2011. A new statue of St. John Baptist de La Salle will be added in the courtyard that will connect the new and existing buildings.
Renovation to the existing building is expected to be done in May 2011. That will transform the assembly/gym area into three parts. One section will double the computer lab size to accommodate 30 students. The second portion will house the library, which is currently in an old hallway. The final section will be used as a science lab.
The expansion will allow Christian Brothers School to increase enrollment from 287 students to 345 by 2013. Funds for construction will come from a capital campaign, school funding, a building fee from students, the Christian Brothers Foundation, and a loan.
This is a rendering of the finished project.