St. Ignatius School expands for a bright future

Ribbon-cutting day at St. Ignatius School. From left, Deacon David Shackley, Superintendent of Catholic Schools Tammy Emerich, Deacon Steve Rayburn, Father Vitalis Onyeama, SMMM, pastor of Holy Apostles Parish, Deacon Bill Bieker, School Principal Andi Kane, Parochial Vicar Father Emmanuel Chinedu, SMMM, Pastoral Council member Marlene Dodd, Project Coordinator Karen Mahoney. (ICR Photo/Emily Woodham)

By Emily Woodham

ICR Staff Writer

MERIDIAN–St. Ignatius Catholic School, the parish school for Holy Apostles Parish in Meridian, opened its new wing last month.

The addition to the school building was phase two of the “Growing Together” capital campaign for Holy Apostles. 

“When we started planning this project way back in 2023, there was a ‘best case scenario’ that we’d have the new space ready by January of 2025,” said Andi Kane, principal at St. Ignatius. “To be honest, I knew it was unlikely everything would go smoothly, but it did! It was really a smooth process thanks to all the good planning and the great people working on this project.”

The new construction took eight months to complete. When the school was built in 2016, there was a designated art room and another for student support. However, the urgent need for preschool space prompted the addition of a third space. Preschool attendance has continued to grow, resulting in plans for a fourth room next year.

The added wing provides a space for art, music, Spanish, and student support. St. Ignatius also added a middle school classroom and bathrooms accessible from the outside.

“It had felt very full in our building. We are so excited to flow into these extra spaces,” Kane said.

The design for the wing was a collaboration between Cushing Terrell, who designed the original building, and a team of school staff and parishioners. Because the open, collaborative and flexible learning spaces were such a success for students and teachers, they continued the design in the new areas.

“The design has become such a huge part of who we are with our personalized and flexible learning model,” Kane added. “It was really important to us that this defining feature of our school was carried into the new spaces.”

St. Ignatius based its designs on research for “optimal learning spaces” to improve learning. These spaces include flexible seating, varied learning environments, and natural light. Kane explained that classrooms have garage doors that allow space to open up, giving the learning environment texture and variety.

“Students aren’t sitting in the same place, looking at the same thing all day long,” she said. “The doors allow for the passage of natural light, movement between spaces, and foster our small group, personalized learning model.”

St. Ignatius reached peak enrollment within its first three years. The new space will allow increased enrollment for the early grades. However, their middle and upper grades are optimally sized. 

Kane believes the most significant factor in the school’s growth comes from the support and community at Holy Apostles.

BK students Braden Caldwell and Henry Warner, Holy Apostels parishioners who died in a tragic auto accident in June 2022, are featured in a mural at St. Ignatius School.  (ICR Photo/Emily Woodham)

“It’s really alive with a spirit of faith and community. I think that’s the biggest factor,” she said. “The growth in Meridian and surrounding areas is, of course, a huge factor as well. I know I’m biased, but St. Ignatius really has a special thing going on. The Holy Spirit is alive and well; people who spend time in our building can feel that. It makes you want to be a part of it.”

The first phase of “Growing Together” was a rectory for its three priests, completed last year. The third and final phase is a new outreach community center. The outreach center will house an expanded food pantry and a secure space for donations. The parish has been working with Catholic Charities of Idaho to provide space at the outreach center that would allow the organization to provide counseling and other services on the west side of the Valley. 

“Our hope is to meet people where they are, with whatever needs they have,” said Karen Mahoney, a Holy Apostles parish council member and volunteer project manager for the campaign.

So far, about $1.25 million of the campaign’s $3 million goal has been raised. Although a date has not been set for the new outreach center, Mahoney said they hope to begin construction soon. 

Kane is grateful for everyone who supported the expansion and Catholic schools in general.

“I’m so heartened by the way our Catholic schools foster goodness and faith in our kids,” she said. “When I walk into our building each day, I know the future is bright.”

For more information about the campaign and to donate, visit holyapostlesmeridian.net.