Harding Fine Arts Academy Foundation

PROJECT PURPOSE

The $22,000,000 construction project will equip Harding Fine Arts Academy (OKC?s nationally ranked arts-integrated charter high school) to respond to and recover from the ravaging health and economic effects of COVID-19 through investment in physical and digital infrastructure, expanding opportunities and enabling safe 21st century workforce preparation. The complete interior and exterior renovation will modernize and preserve one of OKC?s most architecturally significant historic buildings and prepare for doubling current student enrollment. It will enhance our ability to provide for the wellbeing of our diverse and vulnerable student population through a proven arts-integrated methodology which fosters a dynamic and diverse workforce. Graduates from HFAA become community leaders, entrepreneurs, and enter future-oriented careers in medicine, STEM, finance, and the arts. This project is overseen by a committee of real estate development, architectural, and historic preservation experts with decades of experience in managing and implementing major construction projects. This once-in-a-generation investment from the State assures HFAA will create and sustain a trustworthy, cutting-edge, relevant education for our highly accomplished and diverse student body now and in the future. By meeting students? academic, physical, and emotional needs, we can ensure they will take their rightful place in a growing and thriving Oklahoma.

EVIDENCE

Addendum E lists sources that validate our project. The building redevelopment assessment from OKC Chamber estimates $37,718,567 economic impact, 261 new jobs, and $10,925,039 in new payroll. Though construction projects are economically-vital, the greater economic impact is ongoing operations once HFAA is COVID-safe, and engages and supports a stronger, innovative and diverse Oklahoma. ? AFTA confirms arts-integrated students are 5x more likely to graduate high school and twice as likely to graduate college, especially disadvantaged students. ? OKA+ Schools show higher achievement, better attendance, and fewer disciplinary referrals. ?MDPI shows the average net benefit of graduating high school is $313,000 per student.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

This project will impact current and future students at the Academy where a majority represent marginalized ethnicities and/or live in poverty. During the pandemic, the Academy?s families were negatively impacted financially, physically, mentally, and emotionally and many of our students saw significant learning loss due to virtual learning environments. As the Academy ?returns to normal? our students face continuing challenges such as: ? Re-adapting socially to an in-person learning environment; ? Housing, income and food insecurity; and ? Increased anxiety and depression from the effects of the constantly changing, external environment. The Academy has always been home to a uniquely diverse student body. This year roughly: ? 60% of students are from a marginalized or underrepresented racial/ethnic group; ? 50% of students are from low-income households and eligible for free or reduced lunch because of their socioeconomic status; ? 20% of students are English Language Learners; and ? 11% of students are enrolled in the Special Education program. Due to doubled enrollment, 350 additional vulnerable students and their families will be impacted. The arts-integrated educational methodology used at HFAA will set students on a new trajectory often lifting them and their posterity out of poverty.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

This project will have immediate and long-term economic impacts through job creation, community revitalization, and workforce preparation. Immediate impact will be measured by recording the number of well-paying jobs during design, pre-construction, and construction phases including crew members, contractors, and suppliers. The 30-year return on investment will be estimated (in conjunction with Oklahoma Office of Workforce Development and others) by tracking the number of: ? graduates (and their census track) from the Academy annually; ? new and retained fulltime HFAA positions; ? college admission and matriculation. Our proven arts-integrated methodology increases students? ability to have innovative, well-paying careers as opposed to non-arts students.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

One-time project will not need continued funding