YOUNGSTOWN — A former long-term, family-owned pharmacy known for its focus on high-quality customer service is being converted to a space that will focus on providing high-quality education.

“It has four large classrooms to double the population of our middle school,” Kathy Mioni, the Akiva Academy’s senior principal, said.

The 16-year principal was referring to the Altshuler Akiva Academy Goldstone-Mirkin Family Middle School at the Suzi Solomon Campus, which is being constructed in the former Allen’s PharmaServ building, 520 Gypsy Lane, on the North Side.

The location also was the site of an open house and program Monday afternoon to give donors and others a first look at the new school, which is slated to open in January for about 65 students in grades five to eight, Mioni noted.

The school, which will be across the street from the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown, also represents a significant expansion effort for the Akiva Academy because more space is needed to accompany an increasing enrollment.

In February, the Akiva Academy and the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation broke ground for the $1.9 million, 7,420-square-foot expansion. It will contain four large classrooms for 60-minute classes in math, English language arts, social sciences and science, Mioni said, noting that a high priority has been placed on security, which will impact student flow and was factored heavily in the building’s layout.

Also included will be a resource area for the four teachers, who will work on a rotational basis, along with a conference room for parents and virtual meetings. That space also will offer physical, occupational and speech therapy, Mioni said.

In the back will be a spacious multi-purpose room / cafeteria that can be used for meals, Shabbat services and assemblies, she continued.

“It’s fantastic. This really gets to me,” said an emotional Alan Mirkin, who owned Allen’s PharmaServ before it closed in January.” I grew up on the North Side, so it’s kind of in my blood.”

Mirkin, whose children attended the Akiva Academy, added that he’s grateful the expansion will strengthen the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, which is the umbrella organization for a variety of Jewish-related agencies.

Michael Barr, the federation board’s president-elect, noted that the new middle school will serve a critical function in this political climate that extends beyond mere academics.

“Folks, this is ground zero in the fight against anti-Semitism,” Barr said in his remarks Monday.

In addition, the expansion will go a long way toward strengthening Jewish education in the Mahoning Valley, he said, adding that the Akiva Academy has earned a reputation for academic excellence.

The students who will enroll and receive a “value-space education” represent more than 15 school districts in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, Mioni said.

She also praised those who have contributed to the Akiva expansion campaign, including many donors who live out of state and may have had children in the federation’s programs decades ago. All of that speaks to their commitment to and ongoing belief in what’s being offered, Mioni continued.

Piggybacking on her gratitude was Courtney Lockshaw, the federation’s financial resources development director.

“I’m very excited. This will be a great resource for our community,” Lockshaw said, adding, “We appreciate all of the support we’re getting from the community so far.”

A little more than $1.23 million of the $1.9 million project has been raised during the campaign that kicked off earlier this year. To make a donation, go to www.jewishyoungstown.org and click on the “donate” button.