Changing classes for students at the San Miguel School of Tulsa used to mean walking from building to building—between five buildings in all. Not anymore. The school started a new academic year August 27 with classes housed in one new 8,000 square foot building with eight classrooms, three tutor rooms, and office space. The school is continuing to use a nearby parish activity center for physical education classes, and more offices are in a rehabilitated building linked to the new facility.
“It’s a really simple building. It’s got a polished concrete floor. It’s a metal building,” said San Miguel President Joe O’Connor. “But it is safe and it is secure and it will be light years ahead of what we’ve ever had.”
Safety was a major concern as cars sped by students as they walked outside to change classes in an area known to have gang members. Weather was also a factor. Now students do not have to step outside to change classes thanks to donations that covered the $1.25 million cost for the new building. The new classrooms feature SMART Boards, and the building has a mosaic at the entrance with the school logo surrounded by donor tiles which a former teacher designed and created.
San Miguel Tulsa will celebrate its new home with an open house September 28 from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.