Whitefish Christian Academy has received a financial boost in its expansion efforts from the Gianforte Family Foundation.

The academy received a $12,500 grant from the foundation to help pay for fees, permits, excavation, materials and electrical labor for installation of two modular classroom buildings to accommodate the growing school located at 820 Ashar Avenue in Whitefish.

Enrollment has grown by nearly 20 percent over the last two years, according to Clark Berg, Whitefish Christian Academy development director. Current enrollment is at 145 students in grades pre-kindergarten through eighth.

Initial plans are to house the school library, art and music classrooms in the modulars. Expanding to the high school level starting with ninth grade for the 2015-16 school year is also in the works.

It was anticipated the modulars would be ready by November, but that date has been pushed back to the beginning of the 2015-16 school year because of recent heavy snowfall and ice.

From start to finish, the project will cost around $250,000.

The modulars are a temporary addition since the school secured a four-year conditional-use permit from the city of Whitefish. The ultimate goal is to secure 12 to 20 acres to build a new school.

“That is still our vision and we are working on plans to achieve that,” Berg said. “We are a nonprofit organization. We exist by the grace of God and the support of our community.”

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at [email protected].