This September, children attending Grace Day School in Massapequa will be learning in several new facilities currently being added this winter and spring. Under construction is a new library, a refurbished science room, and a new fine arts center.

Grace Day School is a private Episcopal school with classes for grades K-8, including a preschool and summer camp. Most of the children who attend Grace Day School live in Massapequa, Massapequa Park, Amityville and Seaford.

The total amount needed to realize their complete dream is $100,000, but with the very successful efforts of the school and the parents association it seems as if they'll reach that number very soon. Some of the fundraising skills that Grace includes sending letters to parents asking for donations, holding spring fairs and bake sales and selling advertisements for their yearly journal.

So far, Grace has accumulated $55,000 in funds and an additional $20,000 has been pledged.

Edith Burman says that the improvements at Grace Day have been dramatic in the time since she's worked at the school. "I've seen so much growth, particularly in the last five years," she said.

Burman attributes Grace's large number of physical improvements to a very interested board of trustees at the school. "In the last five years we've had excellent leadership from our board of trustees and one success feeds on the other," said Burman.

She added, "When they started to see some of the things we we're doing, the momentum built up."

Over the past few years Grace has added several new facilities to its original one building school. Grace has used modern portable classrooms, placed around its courtyard. These buildings, heated and air conditioned, serve as permanent facilities to expand Grace's facilities.

Grace Day School began as preschool and in 1963 added classes in kindergarten through grade six with the construction of their primary school building. In 1973 Grace expanded to include grades seven and eight. Last year Grace made yet another step forward by adding a summer camp for its children.

As a part of Grace Episcopal Church, the school also helps to support the parish in a time when participation in religious attendance is on the decline. And despite the fact that Grace's tuition exceeds most private elementary schools, Grace continues to thrive and increase in enrollment.

Burman explained that people who send their children to Grace School are looking for an education for their children that is beyond the average public institution. "They are people who believe in private education," she said. "They believe that it's a safer environment and they are looking for a more controlled environment."

She continued, "They are also looking for academics and a focus on religious studies."