Tis the Season… to Complete Our Campus!

Almond Acres students in colorful shirts look through door at construction site

“During this time of year, it’s easy to say that there’s more happiness in giving than receiving. (Yet) genuine giving, where you expect nothing in return, is a two-way street because it nurtures humility and promotes gratitude. There’s a Proverb that says, ‘do not withhold good…if it happens to be within the power of your hand to help’.”

AACA Campus Campaign Donor

The Season of Giving is here! As 2021 draws to a close, we are all looking forward to spending time with family and friends, giving thanks and showing appreciation for all that we have. But it’s also a time to give back to our community. Many of you already share your time and talents with AACA, as volunteers, Board members, PSC members, or simply by lending an occasional helping hand. We are so grateful for you!

Today, we are asking for your help with a donation to our campus fundraising campaign. Thanks to the generous contributions of our community, we have surpassed our initial goal of funding a new playground, and we are ahead of schedule on funding the other items on our wish list! To enable us to build out the remaining items on our campus this school year, please consider making a tax-deductible gift by December 31, 2021. Fund a project in any portion that fits your budget. Every gift counts!

Simply go to our giving page to learn more about the campaign and ways you can support the AACA community this season. Thank you for your consideration, and happy holidays!

Completing Our Campus Wish List – $100,000 Goal

Playground $50,000 (fulfilled)

A fundamental element of our outdoor space, this new playground will include a mix of structures for kids of all ages to learn and explore.

Gym Floor and Athletic Field Equipment $25,000

Supporting all recreation and athletic programs for K-8, our gym and athletic field will be utilized by all students during daily rec time as well as during evening and weekend team practices.

Rotunda Sculpture $15,000

A centerpiece of the school, our rotunda will welcome students and visitors with a large eye-catching sculpture. Designed and created by a local artist, the sculpture features a unique design that honors learners.

Flagpoles $6,000

Two flagpoles will greet students and visitors as they arrive at our campus – flying the U.S. flag, the State of California flag, and the Almond Acres flag.

Courtyard Benches $4,000

8 permanent benches will be placed around our new fountain in the rotunda for students and visitors to enjoy.

General Donation

Help us finish our capital projects with a gift in any amount

Almond Acres Charter Academy is a public, tuition-free K-8 school that employs credentialed teachers and administers state-mandated testing to provide families in northern SLO County an additional choice in public education. Open to all students from all communities, AACA is currently in a temporary Paso Robles location until our new purpose built building opens for the 2021-2022 school year. AACA’s mission is to help students succeed academically and socially by educating the whole child: heart, mind, body and soul. We grow great kids! 

Almond Acres Charter Academy moves into new campus

Almond Acres Charter Academy opens for classes Monday at its new campus on Niblick Road. The City of Paso Robles gave the charter school permission Thursday afternoon to occupy its new building.

Almond Acres students will attend one week of school at the new campus, then go on Christmas break. They will return in early January to their new building near the intersection of Niblick and Creston Roads.

Constructions crews have worked all year to prepare the buildings for occupation and instruction. Principal Bob Bourgault hoped to get the school open in the fall, but work continued into early December. Bourgault says the floor is not complete in the gym. They hope to finish the gym by mid-January.

The $15 million dollar Almond Acres Charter Academy campus will accommodate 450 students in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade. Previously, the school was located at Lillian Larsen Elementary School in San Miguel. So far this academic year, the students attended classes at Centennial Community Center and Paso Robles Youth Arts Foundation.

Staff and teachers assembled desks and other equipment in the new building this past week to prepare for opening day on Monday.

Bougault says, “We’re thrilled to finally move into our own campus. After weeks of waiting for completion, we have nearly reached our goal. It’s very exciting.”

via: Paso Robles Daily News