Volunteers Revitalize Historic Racine School for Sonnenberg Schools
Volunteers help prepare a historic Racine school for its second life as a new Sonnenberg Schools location

Image: Tmj4 News
Around 30 volunteers are transforming the former Jefferson Lighthouse Elementary School in Racine into a new Sonnenberg Schools location for students with disabilities. The school aims to accommodate growing enrollment, expecting to serve about 180 students this fall.
- 01Sonnenberg Schools acquired the former Jefferson Lighthouse Elementary School in May 2024 from the Racine Unified School District.
- 02The new location will serve students in grades four through twelve and is expected to accommodate around 180 students this fall.
- 03Sonnenberg Schools currently operates one location and plans to expand due to increasing enrollment, from 208 students in the 2025-26 school year to an expected 284 next year.
- 04Volunteers engaged in various tasks, including cleaning and sanitizing the space, to prepare it for the upcoming school year.
- 05Parents expressed their commitment to Sonnenberg Schools, seeing it as a vital future educational home for their children.
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Volunteers in Racine dedicated their Saturdays to refurbishing the historic Jefferson Lighthouse Elementary School, which is being repurposed as a new location for Sonnenberg Schools, an institution serving students with disabilities. Approximately 30 volunteers participated in cleaning and preparing the building, which closed in spring 2024. Sonnenberg Schools purchased the site from the Racine Unified School District in May, aiming to provide a fresh start for teachers and students alike. Lisa Packard, a parent involved in the initiative, emphasized the importance of creating a welcoming environment for educators. The new location at 1722 West Sixth Street will serve students in grades four through twelve, accommodating an expected 180 students this fall. This expansion is a response to growing enrollment, with Sonnenberg Schools anticipating an increase from 208 to 284 students in the next academic year. Parents, including Dinora Metcalf and Josh Vaughn, expressed their enthusiasm for the new facility and their commitment to supporting the school community, ensuring it becomes a nurturing educational environment for their children.
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The revitalization of the Jefferson Lighthouse Elementary School will provide a larger, more suitable space for Sonnenberg Schools, enhancing educational opportunities for students with disabilities in Racine.
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