POULSBO — After 23 years of existence, Poulsbo Adventist School finally has a brand new building it will call home. And it plans to open the structure with style.

A ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication of the new Poulsbo Adventist School is slated from 3-5 p.m. Aug. 19 at its new building located at 1700 Lincoln Rd.

“The new building is right behind the Poulsbo Seventh-Day Adventist Church,” said Poulsbo Adventist School marketing advisor Wendy Rexin. “The new building gives us more space in that we have two classrooms now.”

Prior to this school year, class sessions were held downstairs in the church.

Construction on the 5,500-foot facility began in April 2004. PAS begins school on Aug. 27. The school offers enrollment to students between first grade and eighth grade. One classroom will house students in grades one through four while the other classroom will house students in grades five through eight.

“We have multiple grades in the same classroom. Children are able to help each other out especially with older students helping younger students,” Rexin said. “There’s a lot of community spirit at our school. We focus on respect, courtesy and hard work to help give students the necessary skills they need to succeed in contemporary society.”

In past school years, PAS has averaged about 19 students each year, Rexin said.

“This year, we’re planning on capping enrollment between 26 and 28 students,” she said. “We want to keep the class sizes small so there’s as much one on one instruction as possible.”

Rexin said Poulsbo mayor Kathryn Quade will be in attendance at the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony.

“She will cut the ribbon during the ceremony,” she said. “There will be a flag raising, recognition of the history of the school and a musical performance by the school choir.”

Rexin hopes the community will come out in droves for the festivities.

“Everyone is welcomed to attend. It will be a good time for people to take a look around their neighborhood,” Rexin said. “We’re hoping a lot of people come take a look at the facility.”

For information about PAS, call (360) 779-6290.