Foundation Academy unveils new cafeteria, worship center

Foundation Academy students returned to the Tilden Campus to celebrate the first day of school Thursday, Aug. 8, with some major school upgrades, including the new cafeteria and worship center. 

The $4.5 million project, known as The Mane, spans 15,781 square feet and was completed in only 14 months. The area can seat 400 students at lunchtime or 600 people in an audience arrangement.

The new space will help mitigate wear and tear on the gym, which previously has been overbooked for sports, chapel, cafeteria, plays and other activities. The area will serve current and future students from the Plant and Lakeside locations while also supporting the church and its growing multicultural community.

The dual-purpose building also will provide a safe space for students to eat that is protected from weather and gives the school the ability to serve enhanced nutritious hot meals through a full-size kitchen with the capability of serving more than 1,000 students.

SAGE Dining Services is the mastermind behind the menu, which will include options such as fruits, muffins, egg croissants, parfaits and homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast, as well as items such as salads, pizza by the slice and ice cream for lunch.

The area also has its own coffee spot called the Better Bean, run by Janel Wassmann, who has been a part of the Foundation Academy family as a parent since 2020. 

The shop will serve coffees, juices, smoothies, snacks and more to students and the overall community. 

In addition, the space will be used in a church and chapel setting with a customized area for worship. 

“These buildings don’t mean anything if we don’t remain focused on who we are and the culture we are creating here at our school,” Foundation Academy President Dave Buckles said. “We have been so blessed with the donations we have received. Our students, teachers, staff and families believe in the vision we have for the school. We want this facility to be a space where our Lion families can come and gather together and feel like they’re truly part of this special community.”

Photo by Annabelle Sikes

Megan Kleinsmith, 22, attended Foundation Academy from kindergarten through high school, making her a Legacy Lion. 

Although she did not get to enjoy all of the new updates when she was in school, her brother, who will graduate at the end of this school year also as a Legacy Lion, will. 

“I was here for 13 years consecutively, and I never wanted to leave,” she said. “It was definitely a home, family environment for me. I felt very safe. The teachers and faculty are amazing, and they’re the reason why I want to pursue the education field. This school has been so monumental in my life. … I’m speechless at the transformations happening here. It’s absolutely amazing.”

Kleinsmith currently is attending the University of Central Florida with hopes of attaining her degree in education. One of her dreams is to come back to teach at Foundation Academy when she graduates.

Photo by Annabelle Sikes

EXPANSION CAMPAIGN

The new cafeteria and worship center is only a small portion of the overall plan for the Tilden Campus. 

The project is part of the “Expansion: Set Apart Campaign,” which focuses on combatting the school’s challenge, and blessing, of rapid growth. In nine years, the school has experienced 110% growth.

“We’re growing because of what’s happening inside the walls of this school,” Buckles said.

Phase One of the capital campaign totaled $12.5 million and covers items such as the athletic complex field, scoreboard, bleachers, art studio, robotics room, and the cafeteria and worship center. 

Phase Two of the capital campaign is a new planned high school building, which already has broken ground and is expected to open in fall 2025.

The $10 million high school building project is 38,632 square feet, and will include 23 new classrooms, including a green room, coding classroom, science and Mac computer labs, and fine arts.

Phase Two will serve an additional 325 student capacity.

A future phase will include the performing arts center, classroom building and athletic complex/track.

The planned performing arts center will house 1,200 seats with 33,600 square feet.

Those who have questions regarding the campaign or wish to make a donation should contact Liefke Meyers, chief development officer at the school, at (407) 496-3904.