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By Erin Smith
Emereau:Bladen Charter School is preparing to embark on a building program as the school prepares to grow to a K-7 school. Currently, the school houses grades K-6, according to Kate Alice Dunaway.
The addition of the 7th grade, will bring with it the need for more classroom space, said Dunaway. The school is planning to build a 16,000 square-foot addition. In addition to classroom space, there will be office space, classrooms for the exceptional children’s program, and storage space. The courtyard will remain and a project to plant raised bed gardens will move to the courtyard area, said Dunaway.
DeVane Builders is expected to begin construction on the expansion project in mid-February. Work on the additional space is expected to be completed by July and the first day of school will be August 1.
Dunaway said, while there will be some noise from the construction, the impact to the classes being taught at the school is expected to be minimal.
With the expansion being built, there will also be a need for additional parking.
“Next year, we will be adding additional parking,” said Dunaway. She explained once the expansion is completed, the bus parking will move to the side of the school. The area that currently serves as bus parking will be paved to allow for parking for the new staff.
The expansion will bring the total number of students enrolled at the school to between 450 to 482 students for the 2018-19 academic year. Currently, there are 300 students enrolled at the school.
“Right now, we have 110 children registered for next year,” said Dunaway.
Emereau:Bladen staff are projecting they will offer three or four first grade classes and three or four Kindergarten classes. Dunaway said every grade level is expected to grow by at least one and maybe two next year.
“We want to see most of our growth in K-3 or K-4, so we have the opportunity for children to excel,” said Dunaway.
The school’s charter allows for the addition of one grade level per year through the 12th grade. The goal is to eventually construct a middle school building and a high school and arts center. The first high school graduation for Emereau:Bladen is anticipated to take place in the year 2024.
She added there is also a need for teachers at the school. Those who are interested in teaching at Emereau:Bladen can complete an application online at www.emereau.org or call the school at 910-247-6595.
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