As the new school year gets underway, there is certainly plenty of change at West Fallowfield Christian School (WFCS).

Along with the ongoing expansion project and ensuing Growing Together Capital Campaign, the school is welcoming a new principal and first ever head of school this fall.

Delaware native Jonathan Nazigian slides into the newly created position in an interim role. Having spent the last three years as headmaster at Wilmington Christian School, Nazigian brings nearly 30 years of Christian school experience to WFCS in a litany of different roles, including teacher, principal, spiritual life director and basketball coach.

"I just felt the Lord leading me to a new adventure," he said. "It's our 86th year (at WFCS). Great heritage, great legacy in the community. They're looking to grow the school and just continually improve and pursue excellence."

Previously, the school's principal handled all the position's administrative duties, along with the fundraising elements required for being a private institution. Now, the role has been divided in half. Heather Furlong most recently served in the principal role, having resigned over the summer.

"The head of school role is really to connect with the community, look to grow the school organizationally and in excellence. Just continue to make Christian education accessible to as many families as possible," Jonathan said. The principal kind of focuses on the day-to-day academics and operations, working with teachers and our parents."

"The head of school position represents the first step in implementing a new leadership structure for our school," said Bradley Marshall, president of the WFCS board of trustees. "Rather than asking one person to oversee every aspect of school leadership, we are moving toward a model that divides responsibilities between two complementary roles: a head of school and a principal. Together, these roles are designed to strengthen our ability to serve students, families and staff while positioning the school for future growth."

Jonathan resides in Delaware with his wife, Debbie, and their three sons, Ethan, Luke and Christian. Jonathan's father was also an administrator at a Christian school and was the president of the Mid-Atlantic Christian Schools Association (MACSA), of which WFCS is a member. Jonathan has an undergraduate degree in English from Liberty University and a master's degree in school leadership and administration from Cairn University.

"I was reading up on the history of the school before I came," he said. "Back in the '90s, they had put together a 50th anniversary booklet. I was reading through that, and my dad was actually mentioned because they said they had gone to a MACSA convention over in Lancaster."

Jennifer White slides into the principal role. She has an undergraduate degree in English Education from Millersville University and a master's degree with principal certification from Wilmington University.

Originally a two-room schoolhouse, WFCS has expanded greatly over the past eight decades. The school originally served grades one through eight and now offers preschool through 12th-grade education for the first time this school year.

WFCS enrollment has greatly expanded over the last half-decade. It enrolls over 180 students this fall. The new building project includes five new classrooms, four of which are on the new second floor of the school's existing academic building. It also includes a facilitator planning space, testing rooms and a mezzanine that is intended to serve as an event and collaborative learning space.

"Much of the construction is completed," Jonathan said. "We're still (putting) finishing touches on the elevator; some of the final painting and final finishing elements; getting our certification of occupancy; and making sure that the security and the fire alarms, some of the electrical elements, TVs and projectors and things (work)."

As part of the Growing Together Capital Campaign, the school projected that a total of $850,000 was needed for the project. Currently, around $500,000 of that has been collected.

One big fundraising event for the school is its annual auction, the 45th edition of which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 10.

WFCS, founded in 1941, serves students from the Avon Grove, Coatesville, Octorara, Oxford, Pequea Valley, Solanco and Unionville-Chadds Ford area school districts. Busing is provided, and financial aid is available.

The school is located at 795 Fallowfield Road, Atglen, adjacent to Octorara Area School District's primary campus.

For more information about the school, visit http://www.facebook.com/westfallowfieldchristianschool or call the school office at 610-593-5011. Those interested may also visit http://www.wfcs.org.