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Illiana Christian breaks ground on $14 million expansion

DYER, Ind. (May 24, 2023) – Illiana Christian High School broke ground on a $14 million expansion Saturday, starting a project that will eventually add new classrooms, common spaces, and a new vocational wing to the Dyer, Indiana school.

The project, which is slated for completion in the fall of 2024, stems from an effort to accommodate growing enrollment, as well as a “re-emphasis” on vocational training, according to a press release.

The high school, which used to be in Lansing before moving to Dyer in 2018, has seen an enrollment increase of nearly 80 students in the last three years, and now teaches 500 students. Projected estimates for next year are 550 or more, said the press release.

illiana
(Rendering courtesy of Illiana Christian High School)

Besides the enrollment growth, Illiana has said it wants to invest more in vocational and entrepreneurship areas.

“We want to be the best school possible for all our students,” said Head of School Lance Davids. “This includes people going to college and those who aren’t.  It includes kids who play sports and those who play instruments and sing. God has given our kids wonderful and diverse talents and gifts and we want to find ways to grow and nurture all of them.”

The cost of new classrooms is around $9.5 million, while the cost of the vocational wing is $5 million.

“The vocational wing will include workspaces for metal crafting and woodworking, and will feature STEM classes, Illiana’s popular Makerspace class, and other work-based training,” said the press release.

A group of 7th-graders from local feeder schools were involved in the the groundbreaking Saturday. Current 7th graders will be the first class to attend Illiana once the expansion is complete. (Photo provided by Illiana Christian High School)

The next part of Illiana’s second expansion phase aims to construct a 1,100-seat auditorium that would be home to twice-weekly chapel services, concerts, plays, musicals, church services, and other community events.

Illiana Christian High School is located at 10920 Calumet Avenue in Dyer, Indiana.

Josh Bootsma
Josh Bootsma
Josh is Managing Editor at The Lansing Journal and believes in the power and purpose of community news. He covers any local topics—from village government to theatre, from business openings to migratory birds.