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Topic
Description:
SPEX07-CR-016: The applicant wishes to obtain Special
Exception approval under Category 5 to operate a private
school in a (leased) building at Vint Hill Station.
Project
Information:
Cornerstone
Christian Academy wishes to operate a private school in a
building on Vint Hill Station in the area identified for
Planned Commercial Industrial Development (PCID). Although
this use is allowed in the PCID at Vint Hill, a Special
Exception is required.
On July 13,
2006, the Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to
allow primary and secondary schools “by right,” Section
4-605 of the Zoning Ordinance requires a Special Exception
for “[a]ny use listed in Sections 603 and 604 above which
was not specifically designated in the approved Development
Plan establishing the PCID.” Thus, the proposed amendment
makes new schools a use allowed by Special Exception.
Cornerstone
Christian Academy is a private Christian School, providing
Faith Based education for primary and secondary education
(Kindergarten - 12th Grade, with a
pre-kindergarten). The school also provides before and after
school care, and opens this up to the public school children
in Fauquier County. Optional night school, (high school
credit classes) for home school students and the public
school children is offered as well. During holidays, when
local schools are closed, day care would be provided for
school age children. During the summer the school would
offer summer camps consisting of weekly modules (sports,
educational, etc.) and summer daycare. In the future the
school would like to offer adult education such as CPR/First
Aid courses, babysitting courses, language (English,
Spanish, etc., and computer.
Regular
hours of operation of the school would be from 8:30 AM to
3:30 PM (Monday through - Friday). Before school care will
run from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM on week days and after school
care will be run from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM (M-F). Night High
School would be provided from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM (Monday
through Thursday).
The
applicant estimates that enrollment projection for the
regular 2007-2008 school year will be sixty to eighty
students and projected growth over the next four years to be
an average of 10-15% per year, with a maximum projected
enrollment of two hundred ending around the time of its
five-year lease with Vint Hill. Before and after school
care program would not exceed fifty children. School would
be offered to students from pre-kindergarten age to high
school. Evening high school would be limited to a class
ratio of no more than twelve students per class for high
school age students.
Based on
current enrollment the school anticipates a total of twelve
employees, nine full-time and three part-time this year. As
enrollment increases this will increase to a ratio of one
adult per every eight students, for a total to twenty-five
teachers. The applicant states that students that attend
Cornerstone are mainly from Fauquier County, but they also
draw students from neighboring counties, such as Prince
William and Culpeper.
According
to the Statement of Justification, the current Corporation
and Administration of Cornerstone Christian Academy has a
total of fifteen years operating experience in Fauquier
County (Remington and Warrenton. They are a member of the
VCPE (Virginia Council for Private Education) which acts as
the school’s liaison to operate in the Commonwealth of
Virginia. They are also an active member with ACSI
(Association of Christian School International) where
teachers and staff receive their certification.
Cornerstone
Christian Academy will enforce an organized drop off (before
school 7:30 to 8:30 AM) and pick up (3:15 to 3:45 PM), as
outlined in the student handbook. Parents enter from only
one way and drive in a semi-circle to drop off and pick up.
Staff functions as monitors for the drop off and pick up
times. Students remain in the school until their parents
drive up and then a staff person allows them to exit to
their parents vehicle.
The play
area for the children is located a fenced grass area in
close proximity to the annex building. They will utilize
existing sidewalks to get to the recreation area. In the
fall and spring students also would use public sports fields
for recreation. During winter months the school rents
indoor gym space from Fauquier County Parks and Recreation
at Vint Hill for indoor physical education and sports.
The
applicant notes that all students are dropped off and picked
up by their parents, and some high school students may
drive. There are no buses at this time. The school intends
to utilize rental bus companies such as “Scenic America” for
long distance field trips. It may also purchase a small bus
for local field trips and sporting events. As the school
continues to grow it anticipates acquiring land to build a
school facility and thus move elsewhere within the county.
The lease for the space at Vint Hill is for a period of five
(5) years.
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