Pacific Ridge School broke a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS record on Friday, when 504 students and faculty performed the world’s largest African dance during a groundbreaking celebration for a new middle school building and arts center.
The record-breaking attempt speaks to one of the independent school’s core mission elements – global engagement. During 7th grade music class, Pacific Ridge students learn the “Pata Pata” – a South African song and dance made famous by songstress Miriam Makeba – as part of an Arts curriculum that encourages students to become aware of their roles as members of a global community. Pacific Ridge’s global engagement program is built into the curriculum and includes a global travel program available to all students at the end of each school year.
The groundbreaking event marks the beginning of the school’s next phase of campus development, supported by Breaking Through, a $25 million dollar campaign. The campus expansion includes a new middle school building and arts center that will provide students ample space to learn, create, and collaborate. The new middle school will feature state-of-the-art science labs, seminar-style classrooms, a reading room and a town center space for middle school gatherings. The new arts facilities will boast 2D and 3D visual arts studios, a technology design center and a community hall, as well as studios and practice rooms for music, dance, and theater arts.
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“Today’s event exemplified the spirit of togetherness and enthusiasm that we have come to expect from the Pacific Ridge community,” said Head of School Dr. Bob Ogle. “We’re launching our Breaking Through Campaign with that same spirit, and look forward to growing our campus.”
Doors to the new 29,691 sq. ft. middle school building and 23,589 sq. ft. arts building are expected to open in Spring 2015.
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Since its opening in 2007, Pacific Ridge School has experienced a dynamic expansion of campus facilities on par with the steady and robust increase in its student population. A full-size turf athletic field was installed in 2009, an energy-efficient high school building was opened in 2010 and a state-of-the-art 35,236 sq. ft. Athletic Center followed in 2011.
