Seven Oaks Classical School chose both a location and a headmaster at a board meeting March 14.
The charter school will occupy the Eagles Landing building in Ellettsville, Indiana, according to a press release. The board approved a spending budget of up to $10,000 to draw up schematics and estimate renovation costs, allotted to the Indianapolis-based architectural firm Odle, McGuire and Shook.
“There is a significant amount of work to be completed on the building before it can open in the fall,” board member Terry English said in the release. “But we’re committed to completion of the task, and we very much look forward to welcoming our first students.”
Seven Oaks is scheduled to open August 2016. In its first year, the school will offer kindergarten through eighth-grade classes. The school plans to add ninth grade as early as August 2017, according to the release.
Enrollment for the school’s fall session is ongoing, with 137 students in the process of registering from Monroe, Morgan, Owen, Clay, Greene and Lawrence counties, according to the release.
“We’re very pleased by the early enrollment numbers,” English said in the release. “Ours is truly going to be a regional school. We are committed to bringing quality education to families who are seeking an alternative to public schools in the area.”
Parents can continue to enroll their children until March 31 through the Seven Oaks website, English said.
In the event of more eligible applicants than available space, Seven Oaks will conduct a public lottery to randomly select students, according to the press release.
If necessary, a lottery would likely take place on a grade-by-grade basis rather than total enrollment, English said.
Seven Oaks aims to have 22 to 23 students in each of its 20 classrooms, English said. Currently, kindergarten and lower grades are filling up faster.
Students will be overseen by Stephen Shipp, who the board unanimously voted as the first headmaster, according to the press release.
Shipp, who is currently Regional Director of Academics at Responsive Education Solutions in Lewisville, Texas, will serve as the school’s administrative leader and chief executive officer. He is expected to begin March 29.
In his current position, Shipp has supervised six of the 70 charter schools the company operates in Texas and Arkansas, according to the press release.
“We are very excited about the selection of Dr. Shipp to oversee our school and his willingness to serve,” English said. “He brings to the job a high level of expertise and experience in charter school formation, operation and oversight.”
