Within four short years, the former Jewish Community Center on Military Trail in West Palm Beach has been transformed into an independent secondary school that has turned the heads of parents and the educational community as it continues to redefine excellence in high school education.
Oxbridge started the 2014-15 school year, its first year offering a full, four-year program, with 543 students in grades 9 through 12 and 11 new faculty members. To accommodate the successful growth and maintain the school’s small class sizes, the campus has expanded from 40 to 56 acres and now encompasses the adjacent 62,672-square-foot building that was formerly the Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Academy.
Renovations on both buildings are underway. In the main building, a new, fully equipped biology lab was added; the former dining hall is being remodeled into an iLab that will house multiple 3D printers, a CNC machine, a kiln and a wind tunnel; and space is being fitted for the new aviation program that will integrate the use of a Redbird MCX Flight Simulator.
The former Meyer building will become Oxbridge Academy’s athletic and fine arts complex. It will feature a 4,450-square-foot weight room furnished with special Everlast Fitness Flooring made of recycled athletic shoes and Nike footwear manufacturing scrap. It will also include beautifully appointed locker rooms and a 1,700-square-foot athletic training and rehabilitation room, complete with a five-person Whirlpool tub, training tables and office space.
Previous classroom space is being converted into a 4,300-square-foot visual arts wing, featuring two-dimensional and three-dimensional art studios equipped with pottery wheels, a kiln, a wood shop and a ductless spray hood for painting. Students will be able to explore digital media and video communications with the latest in technologies in a new 1,750-square-foot studio and dark room.
The Meyer renovations will also give students a new school store, versatile multi-purpose rooms and health classrooms.
By the end of the year, Oxbridge will also build a restaurant-quality kitchen, designed by the school’s culinary team, and a new, larger dining hall to accommodate the growing student body. The main corridors and administrative offices will also be renovated with new wall and floor finishes.
Oxbridge invites parents, current and prospective students to attend an open house on Dec. 3.
The Oxbridge Academy was founded in 2011 by energy magnate and philanthropist William I. Koch. The independent school’s mission is to provide a challenging, dynamic education in the classroom, laboratory, art studio and athletic fields to produce leaders through meaningful student research, collaboration and creativity. Oxbridge is located at 3151 N. Military Trail in West Palm Beach. For more info., visit www.oapb.org or call (561) 972-9600.
