MACON, Ga. — It’s not impossible for private schools to receive federal funding. A few years ago, Central Fellowship Christian Academy Board Chairman Shane Gottwals said their school did.
"We just started plugging away and saying 'What are the things that we could really use? What do our students really need to benefit their education and what are families expecting?'" he said.
With federal funds, the school district is getting a technological boost and improvements to the student experience, Gottwals said.
The school installed a $400,000 STEM lab, new student seating in every classroom, Apple computers and a production studio. Surveillance cameras and security locks were also purchased as a part of the upgrades. Gottwals said the school spent over $2 million from federal grants and school funds.
“Just an all-encompassing technological upgrade for our school that was again provided by our additional student count now but also through these grant funds that has really transformed where we're at technologically on this campus," he said.
Jack Sipps is a sophomore on the football team. He said he's happy about the new weight room and the classroom upgrades.
"I mean I was shocked at first because, ya know, you're a small Christian school so you don't really see this many upgrades,” Sipps said. “But our old desks weren't as good so getting these new ones, I feel like we'll be more comfortable."
Karan Fowler, a teacher at Central Fellowship Christian Academy believes that comfort matters. She said the upgrades will make her job easier.
"It's not just being up in front of the classroom but the environment they're sitting in so I was really excited when they got new desks, new lockers, they're bright, it's a new slate," Fowler said.
Gottwals said the school used all $2.6 million of the COVID-19-related federal grant money. He also said the upgrades for this year are complete but the school is always looking for ways to improve. Central Fellowship Christian Academy’s first day of school is Aug. 14.