The growth wave is partially the result of rapidly increasing student population in the area. Private school administrators also say they are building to meet the demands of students and families, who desire new style learning areas with open classrooms, emphasis on laboratories, arts and technology.
Some schools even let students help design their buildings.
Jane Bowen, director of Bowen Primary Academy in Bradenton, said private schools are now offering new student opportunities with their growing facilities. Students helped design the new Saint Stephen's school, inspiring the nearly all glass 22,000-volume library, which overlooks the bayou and athletic fields. That's what our school reflects. Bradenton Christian School students could program computers and publish documents using desktop software in the new computer lab. Young artists could do pottery and ceramics and sculpt in the new art room, and musicians will have a space for performances.