September 19, 2017
 |
|
|
The front entrance of the Walnut Lawn Property. |
Dear Summit Community,
With excitement and enthusiasm for the bright future of The Summit Preparatory School, we are pleased to share some additional details regarding the relocation of our school campus for the 2018-2019 academic year.
As prescribed in our
strategic plan,
and to meet the needs of our growing enrollment, the Board of Trustees with support from school administration and faculty began an extensive search for a new school home in 2015. Ideal location characteristics were identified by the Board's Facilities Committee. Over the last 2 years, many potential locations were visited and financing options were vetted.
Last night at the Springfield City Council meeting, the required rezoning request was approved for the property at 202 E. Walnut Lawn (near the Campbell Ave. intersection). The building was last occupied by Mercy Fitness and was last owned by Youngblood Automotive. The City Council approval enables The Summit to take the final steps to complete the sale of the building. The sale is scheduled to close by October 1, 2017.
At just under 39,000 sq ft, the space will provide room for the continued growth of our population of Summit learners as well as enhanced spaces for our innovative, independent education model to be more fully realized. In addition, the 6-acre plot offers a serene park-like green space to accommodate play and learning inside and outside of the classroom walls.
After reviewing five competitive bids, the Board of Trustees voted in September to secure Hood-Rich Architecture as the project architect with project management by principal architect, Billy Kimmons. The Board's Facilities Committee continues to provide functional expertise to the relocation process. Upon the completion of the sale and required remodeling, The Summit will own our new building and is scheduled to exit the current Chesterfield Village lease agreement in late May 2018. The project is being financed through a combination of generous cash donations from non-parent donors and a loan through Guaranty Bank.
Aligning with The Summit's project-based learning model, teachers across all grades (Beginners - High School) are creating lessons to help our learners understand elements of the building process from finance to design to construction. We look forward to future opportunities for the entire Summit community to view detailed design plans, tour the building, and celebrate this exciting step forward for our school.
Stay up to date on all things related to the building by visiting our Walnut Lawn building webpage at
www.thesummitprep.org/walnutlawn
. We also are planning a public/press release of our official relocation information upon completion of closing procedures. Also, please mark your calendar for The State of the Summit on January 18, 2018 where additional details and design plans will be presented to The Summit community.
We hope you feel The Summit excitement building. Please help us spread the word: The Summit is different, better, growing, and MOVING!
Sincerely,
|
Robert Gronniger
Head of School
The Summit Preparatory School
|
Alison Bauer
President, Board of Trustees
The Summit Preparatory School
|
