HAYDEN — A small Hayden school that was running out of space now has room for its burgeoning student population.

Christian Center School, located at 3639 W. Prairie Ave., is putting the finishing touches on the $600,000 remodel that expanded its second level and added six classrooms and new lockers. The PreK-12 school has grown from 120 to nearly 200 students in the past few years.

"We had added a modular, but we started to say, 'We need more space,'" Principal Julie Yetter said Tuesday. "It started out really small, and through the years it became its own 501(c)(3) and grew to include kids from other churches and the neighborhoods."

The project was possible thanks to a $160,000 grant from the Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation, which also awarded the school a $22,000 technology grant last fall. The school now boasts iPads for students, upgraded Wi-Fi and computers, a modern security and fire sprinkler system, up-to-date technology in the classrooms, an ADA-required lift and improved access to bathrooms.

"The children are our future," said Kristina Kropf, the Pacific Northwest representative for the Lynne Ruffin-Smith Foundation. "Giving them a stable environment and a safe place with teachers that care is important to child development. We want to nurture schools that do that and help any way we can."

The renovation was also made possible because of a partnership with Prairie Avenue Community Church.

"It’s such a tremendous thing to feel like the community at large supports what we’re doing and that we have partners to make that possible," Yetter said. "If we had to raise tuition to cover these costs, it would make it so that many of these families could not go there. Our school has mostly modest, hardworking families."

Christian Center School is hosting a Harvest Festival from 6 to 8:30 this evening to invite the community to see the work that has been done while enjoying a seasonal celebration.

"It will be the first chance many of our neighbors could come in and see what’s changed after seeing the construction going on all summer," Yetter said.

Activities will include games, food, a chili contest, a photo booth, face painting, a cakewalk, laser tag and pumpkin flag football. Kids are welcome to dress up in costume.

The carnival-style Harvest Festival is $5 per person, $20 per family and open to the public. All proceeds benefit the Christian Center School Associated Student Body.