St. Joseph Elementary plans for major expansion

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This artist's rendering shows the planned expansion at St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School.

OGDEN — St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School officials are preparing to expand the campus with a full-sized gymnasium, science and computer labs, an art studio and dedicated space for speech therapy, literacy programs, special needs interventions for more than 30 students, and a before- and after-school program.

The proposed 19,850-square-foot addition is tentatively planned to be constructed this summer.

The school uses its original cafeteria, which was constructed in 1944, for both lunchroom and gym space. Science and art classes for the school’s 358 students are mostly held in non-dedicated classrooms.

“There’s not enough room for all of us,” Principal Nancy Essary said. “We have nowhere to hold any sports.”

For its sports programs, the elementary uses the gym at St. James the Just Parish or at St. Joseph Catholic High School, both of which require travel.

There also is nowhere on campus for sports practices, Essary said. A before- and after-school program with 40 to 50 participants uses the school’s auditorium, so that space is unavailable for any other activities after the preschool is dismissed.

A wing was added to the original school more than 20 years ago, but even then officials were aware more space would be needed.

“We knew this was going to be a Phase 2,” said Carole Wade, advancement director. “They were hoping it wouldn’t take 20 years to have this phase begin.”

The anticipated price tag for the expansion is more than $4 million, but response so far has been positive: Private foundations and individuals already have donated more than $2.5 million, Essary said.   

An April 2020 celebration and fundraising event for the expansion had to be postponed due to the pandemic. Instead, the school did a virtual campaign. Now, school officials are hoping a capital campaign they kicked off in November with video presentations, called “The Foundation is Elementary,” will help them raise the remaining $1.28 million. An anonymous donor has agreed to match the first $500,000 raised during the campaign.

A fundraising event may be held later in the school year as pandemic conditions allow.

“Initial response was excellent from our foundations, but even just kicking it off in November I think I’m feeling confident,” Essary said, adding that parents and alumni also have been very generous.

The proposed expansion will be on the southeast corner of the school, extending from the wing added in 2000. The playground that currently occupies the space will be relocated.

“This means we can expand our programs and meet the needs of our kids because right now it’s really tough particularly with some of the science, art and other programs, as well as meeting the needs of our special-needs students,” Essary said of the proposed expansion. “This really gives us the ability to reach more students.”

“It’s just such a great need and it has been 20 years in the making; we’d like to wrap this up,” she added.

To donate, contact Essary or Wade at the school. One-time giving and monthly donation opportunities are available.