As we get ready for the start of the '24-'25 school year, there is a lot happening in and around the 627 Oak Street facility that currently houses our Central Administration Office and The Crest Academy, our alternative middle school for 5th-8th grade students.
The school district is excited to have begun construction on the wing that will become home to the new Horizons Exploratory Academy campus. This conversion will transform an unused space into a learning environment for students seeking their high school diploma through an alternative pathway that honors individualized paths to success through a personalized, rigorous curriculum designed around the needs, aspirations, and creativity of each individual student. The project also supports the long-term facility needs of the district, taking into account the potential for future growth at the high school level, and consolidates resources for efficiency of the alternative school programs in Salida. A vestibule is also being added to the main entrance at The Crest Academy to provide extra security for students and staff.
In addition to the development of the district facility, Salida Fire continues work on their new station next door, and upgrades have begun to the Oak Street corridor to install sidewalks and crosswalks to enhance safety and security for all users on the busy road.
As a result, we have some changes we need all folks to be aware of:
If you need to access Central Admin Office, please travel down Illinois Street on the south side of the building, turn left onto Scott Street and then turn left into the paved parking lot. The lot is designated as one-way, but please treat it as two-way during the construction closure on Oak Street. Once parked, follow the sidewalk to the main entryway on the west side of the building and ring for entry.
There is not currently student access to the paved parking lot as Oak Street is closed at the facility entrance. To drop off or pick up students, all vehicles will need to drive down Illinois and turn left on Scott Street. Then you will take a left on to the dirt driveway that is on the Southeast side of the property. Please follow the one-way signage. You will then circle out to Illinois again. HERE is the map of what this looks like.
Students will be dropped off/picked up near the black fence.
The main entrance to The Crest Academy will be the cafeteria door. That door is the north door on the east side of the building. It will be labeled with a sign for clarity. We are moving our Ring doorbell to that door so you can communicate with our secretary when you arrive.
Students riding bikes should ride down Illinois (on the north side of the street) and turn left on Scott Street and bring bikes through the black gate to enter the property. Bikes will be parked on bike racks inside the black fence near the temporary main entrance. Please remind students to lock their bike to the bike rack every day.
If you have any concerns or questions, please contact Kim LeTourneau.