Two local private schools are embracing the new school year with noteworthy campus updates

St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic School opened its doors for the new school year Aug. 12.

The school has seen an increase in enrollment this year, now housing around 240 students.

“It’s always exciting to see the students, the smiles on their faces," interim Principal Matthew Kuhn said. "It's always smiling faces and [students] happy to meet their new teachers and see their classrooms for the first time. The first day is always a lot of fun."

Kuhn said that students in science, technology, engineering and math classes can expect to make a transition into the school’s nearly completed STEM Center in October.

Initially, the $7.3 million dollar building’s timetable for completion was set for August.

Kuhn said the project is wrapping up as the building receives its finishing touches.

“In about a month and a half, we’ll be in there,” he said. “We’re very excited.”

The highly anticipated two-story STEM Center will include hands-on learning spaces such as an Aquatics Technology Area, a Virtual Reality Lab and a Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence Classroom.

Students are already enrolled in STEM courses and are using space on the main campus for those classes until the new building is ready.

“We already have the courses. They're already meeting with those teachers in those classes that are going to go in the building," Kuhn said. "We're just using our existing campus. It's a bit of a tight squeeze, there’s a few things we can’t do yet , but we’re making do until that building is open.”

South Aiken Baptist school

South Aiken Baptist Christian School also welcomed students for the new year Aug. 12. Head of School Tonya Bryant said she's enjoying "the freshness, the excitement, the newness" of the first day.

South Aiken Baptist is also expecting some changes this year; Bryant said that the school is working toward "moving away" from the daycare program housed on the campus in favor of developing an Early Learning Center for 3K and 4K students.

Bryant said that South Aiken Baptist has introduced a new Early Learning Center director, Deanna Brogden, to help advance this program. Brogden has over 24 years of experience in the field.

South Aiken Baptist has also retained all of its teachers from last year and gaining three more.

"That probably excites me the most," Bryant said.

Next August, South Aiken Baptist will celebrate its 50th anniversary.

"We just want to thank all of our families and our partners out in the community who helped make this school what it is," Bryant said.