The Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Holy Spirit STEM Academy held a groundbreaking ceremony and celebrated Mass to mark the launch of construction of a new school building on Wednesday, February 21.
The new building will be part of the Catholic school’s expansion and include an indoor and outdoor STEM classroom, three middle school classrooms, and a teachers’ lounge, according to the school’s administration. The Mid-City L.A. school teaches children in grades K-8.
“We are in high need of a space, especially with the enrollment going up,” said Alejandra Silva, Principal of Holy Spirit STEM Academy. “We are very happy that we have the new building coming in.”
Msgr. Terrance Fleming celebrates Mass before leading a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 4,200-square-foot building at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Holy Spirit STEM Academy on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Father Arturo Valadez blesses his students with Holy Water during a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 4,200-square-foot building at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Holy Spirit STEM Academy on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Father Arturo Valadez blesses his students with Holy Water during a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 4,200-square-foot building at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Holy Spirit STEM Academy on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Students attend Mass before a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 4,200-square-foot building at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Holy Spirit STEM Academy on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Msgr. Terrance Fleming celebrates Mass before leading a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 4,200-square-foot building at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Holy Spirit STEM Academy on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Alejandra Silva, principal at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Holy Spirit STEM Academy, speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 4,200-square-foot building on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Holy Spirit STEM Academy holds a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 4,200-square-foot building on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Alejandra Silva, principal at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Holy Spirit STEM Academy, right, is joined by fellow school officials during a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 4,200-square-foot building on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Holy Spirit STEM Academy celebrates a Mass and a holds a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 4,200-square-foot building on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Students attend a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 4,200-square-foot building at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Holy Spirit STEM Academy on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Msgr. Terrance Fleming celebrates Mass before leading a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 4,200-square-foot building at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Holy Spirit STEM Academy on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Students attend Mass before a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 4,200-square-foot building at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Holy Spirit STEM Academy on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The school currently has a combo class where third and fourth graders study together in one classroom, Silva said.
The new 4,200-square-foot expansion would allow students from different grades to study separately, she added. It will also help to boost the school’s enrollment from 160 to about 250 students over the next few years.
The new building will have three general-use classrooms and one for STEM classes. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year, according to Silva.
