Silverdale Baptist Academy unveils new academic building
Staff photo by Abby White / Maddy Johnson, 10, left, and Luke Prairie, 7, investigate a table saw July 30, 2025, in The Commons. Silverdale Baptist Academy celebrated the grand opening of The Commons, a facility hosting a STEAM lab, culinary lab and expanded locker rooms. Staff photo by Abby White / Maddy Johnson, 10, left, and Luke Prairie, 7, investigate a table saw July 30, 2025, in The Commons. Silverdale Baptist Academy celebrated the grand opening of The Commons, a facility hosting a STEAM lab, culinary lab and expanded locker rooms.
Silverdale Baptist Academy cut the ribbon Wednesday on its new building that houses facilities geared toward vocational classes. The celebration came in time for the start of the 2025-26 school year.
The Commons is equipped with a media arts studio and classroom; a culinary arts kitchen and classroom; a science, technology, engineering, art and math lab and workshop; and new expanded locker rooms. The two-floor facility backs up to the religious private school’s football field, which will soon be covered with turf.
“We’re just looking at all aspects of a young person’s education, but first and foremost, following the Lord’s lead. I can’t emphasize that enough. We’ve got to listen, and we’ve got to be good stewards of what we’ve been given,” said John Shadden, president of the academy’s board. “And we recognize as a board and as a school and as an administration, this isn’t ours. I mean, we’re standing in this beautiful new building, but it doesn’t belong to us. It belongs to the Lord.”
Staff photo by Abby White / Maddy Johnson, 10, left, and Luke Prairie, 7, investigate a table saw July 30, 2025, in The Commons. Silverdale Baptist Academy celebrated the grand opening of The Commons, a facility hosting a STEAM lab, culinary lab and expanded locker rooms.Staff photo by Abby White / Silver Baptist Church senior pastor Tony Walliser gives opening statements July 30, 2025, during the ceremony. Silverdale Baptist Academy celebrated the grand opening of The Commons, a facility hosting a STEAM lab, culinary lab, and expanded locker rooms.Staff photo by Abby White / Head of School Becky Hansard speaks July 30, 2025, during the ceremony. Silverdale Baptist Academy celebrated the grand opening of The Commons, a facility hosting a STEAM lab, culinary lab and expanded locker rooms.Staff photo by Abby White / On July 30, 2025, school board members, local representatives and Silverdale Baptist Academy staff celebrate the grand opening of The Commons, a facility hosting a STEAM lab, culinary lab and expanded locker rooms.Staff photo by Abby White / On July 30, 2025, Rich Daulton, left, explains the list of names on display to Dominic Khan, 6, and Nicholas Khan, 5. Silverdale Baptist Academy celebrated the grand opening of The Commons, a facility hosting a STEAM lab, culinary lab and expanded locker rooms.Staff photo by Abby White / Silverdale Baptist Academy embroidered aprons are pictured July 30, 2025, in the culinary arts lab. Silverdale Baptist Academy celebrated the grand opening of The Commons, a facility hosting a STEAM lab, culinary lab and expanded locker rooms.Staff photo by Abby White / The exterior of The Commons at Silverdale Baptist Academy is pictured July 30, 2025. Silverdale Baptist Academy celebrated the grand opening of The Commons, a facility hosting a STEAM lab, culinary lab and expanded locker rooms.
The enhanced vocational programs at Silverdale veer from the private school proclivity to focus on college preparation.
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