Buckley School Moves Growth Plans Forward

Plans to expand Buckley School moved forward recently when officials applied for a conditional-use permit from the city.

Although administrators at the private school had said they would wait until most of the community supported the plan, the city’s Planning Department asked the school to submit an application so that discussions could begin on issues of concern to nearby residents.

After learning of the expansion from the school’s master plan in 1995, community members balked at the idea because they feared it would increase traffic and demand for parking in the mostly residential area.

James Higgins, a member of the Buckley board of trustees, said a traffic-impact study is being conducted. The school is expected to submit a report to the city within a few weeks.

The school has applied for permission to add 68,732 square feet of space to the existing 92,000-square-foot facility on Stansbury Avenue.

The plan calls for a new performing arts building, library, science building and middle school. Existing facilities for the school’s administration and elementary students will be expanded.

The expansion also will increase the number of students from 776 to 975 over 10 years, mostly in the upper grades, Higgins said.

Higgins said the new facilities, including a state-of-the-art science lab, will enable the school to keep up with changes in education. However, in April 1996, the school’s headmaster said that the expansion was needed so that the school could raise funds for earthquake repairs.

“Any organization needs to change with the times somewhat,” Higgins said. The 30-year-old campus, which takes students in preschool through grade 12, has remained unchanged for more than 20 years.

Higgins also said the expansion stemmed from a desire among upper-grade students to increase the pool of children in their classes, giving them more opportunities for classes as well as extracurricular activities.