Oasis High set to open its doors today; 500 students expected at newest Cape charter school

By CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 8/24/09

A massive shark looms over the entrance to the newly built Oasis Charter High School in southwest Cape Coral, teeth poised to bite, eyes focused.

The shark, the school's new mascot, seems to reflect the enthusiasm school and city officials took toward getting the school up and running today as 500 new students stroll past the aggressive fish and into the 50,000-square-foot, two-story building.

Also aggressive about the project was McGarvey Develop-ment Company, which built the school in 110 days, at a cost of approximately $7.9 million.

During a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday, Cape Coral Charter Schools Administrator Dr. Lee Bush and various city officials spoke of the school, which they boasted as a great accomplishment.

"Children are the living messages that we send through our work into a time that we will never see," Bush said. "Part of this work in our last phase here has involved the building of this building. This was built with the sweat of many men and women, contractors and design and engineers. This does not complete the vision. We have more students waiting to come into our system than we have spaces now."

Prior to Oasis High's construction, the Cape Coral charter school system's highest grade level was 10. The new school will house students in grades eight through 12 until enrollment is higher for the typical high school grades.

The building can hold 700 students.

"It's just a tremendous story of how innovation can make savings, how volunteers can make things happen," said Mayor Jim Burch. "There's no secret why this charter system works. It's the people, the staff, the volunteers, the boards, everybody that makes it go."

City Manager Terry Stewart equated the newest addition to the charter school system to giving birth to triplets over a 7 1/2-year period - the time span over which the charter system has evolved.

"I think every step along the way, these schools have had significant challenges," Stewart said. "But at every point the people, the organization, the city, which I am extremely proud of, has managed to step forward and overcome those obstacles."

Project Superintendent Kurt Mauer, McGarvey Project Manager Ann Cemer and City Project Manager Mark Ridenour were recognized for their efforts during the ceremony.

Oasis Middle School Principal Chris Terrill is now the principal for Oasis High School, housed with various state-of-the-art technologies such as smart boards, projectors and document cameras.

The school boasts new programs, including culinary arts, graphic design and a college science program.

Oasis High School offers a college-level degree program called AICE, which allows students to earn college credits.

To learn more, residents can visit the school's Web site at c2cschools.com/oasissharks or see its Twitter page at twitter.com/oasissharks.