2000~2009: Exponential Changes to Programs, Facilities and Grant Opportunities

At Commonwealth, following the Board of Directors 2001 decision to move grades 7 and 8 from Parkville back to Commonwealth, major renovations were planned and executed, including adding ten new classrooms in middle school to accommodate grades 7 and 8, new science and computer laboratories, and administrative offices. An endowment fund for scholarships was established in 2002, permitting future entrance of a limited number of talented students who otherwise could not afford to attend CPS. During the summer of 2003, a new chemistry laboratory was relocated to the science wing on the first floor, high school classrooms were remodeled, including new windows, and the library was expanded to accommodate the additional middle school collection for grades 7 and 8.

Since 2003, additional improvements to both campuses have taken place including at Commonwealth, a new biology laboratory, a new kitchen and cafeteria serving area, a fitness center, and reconstruction of a multipurpose theater. At Parkville, new doors and windows were installed along with the construction of a roof over the center courtyard and an access ramp to the second floor.

Since its inception in 2004, the Annual Giving Program has raised nearly $500,000 to improve facilities at both campuses. With this initiative, CPS has been qualified to apply for private foundation grants attesting to our ability to raise funds for financial viability and more importantly by committing the CPS community to provide additional resources from among our constituency: parents, alumni, faculty, staff, administration and the members of the Board of Directors. The resulting improvements to our facilities have been dramatic!

In 2006, the Board of Directors decided to clarify our name with the community-at-large by simply referring to CPS as Commonwealth-Parkville School, names which are well known in the community.

CPS has been granted a non-profit 501(C)3 status stateside which provides additional opportunities for receiving grants. In 2007, The Edward E. Ford Foundation awarded CPS with a $50,000 matching grant for professional development training on digital educational programs that enhance student-faculty connections in grades 9-12. This is geared to attract and retain excellent teachers, a reputation that CPS has enjoyed throughout its stellar history. Moreover in 2011, CPS was the only school in Puerto Rico to receive a grant of $25,000 from the Benedict Foundation to be used for grades 9-12 in the development of the 21st Century Global Awareness Initiative which includes the Project Evaluation Accreditation Protocol of Middle States and the NAIS Challenge 20/20 Initiative. These measures aim to establish global awareness by teacher training, development of curriculum and courses leading to a “global diploma.”