SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The McCrossan Boys Ranch will be celebrating a major milestone next week when it holds its grand opening for some new additions to the high school and middle school.
“We are really excited to finally be in this new building, McCrossan CEO Brian Roegiers said.
The building houses a new art room and science classroom, plus a new reception area and break room for teachers.
“They’re pretty nice a lot better than the old classrooms, a lot bigger,” 18-year-old Parker said.
At risk students at McCrossan Boys Ranch are breathing a little easier, now that they have some new classrooms with more room to complete their assignments.
“A lot more difficult for teachers to get around the classrooms and help the students because being in a room that small kids just want to sit next to their friends and talk,” Parker said.
Staff say they’ve needed the extra space for years.
“The kids do better when they get to spread out it feels more like a comprehensive high school now,” Roegiers said.
They’ve added their school colors, green and black, to the hallways and to their brand new gymnasium too.
“A lot of people don’t realize that this is an accredited high school, we have two sports teams that compete in a conference with the state high school athletic association with track and cross country,” Roegiers said.
The older part of the school, which is over 30 years old, was recently renovated in order to tie into the new school.
And not only is the extra space good for learning, students out here will tell you the teachers are good for them as well.
“It’s a lot different than public school, because they won’t let you fail they won’t let you not turn in an assignment, they will stay with you as long as you need to get it done and I like that a lot compared to a public school if you don’t get something done they give you a zero,” Parker said.
That’s why they’ve painted this mural that reads, ‘Refuse to be average, let yourself soar’.
McCrossan is also building a new track and athletic field in the northwest corner of its campus.
There’s going to be a grand opening for the new facilities Thursday at 4:30 pm.
