Boca Christian School (School Photo/ Facebook)
Boca Christian School has received the go-ahead from city officials to expand the number of students they serve, with the expectation that new space will be added to the school’s complex on NW 4th Avenue, several blocks south of Glades Road.
The city council unanimously agreed to a request by the school to have its maximum number of matriculating students rise from 800 to 950. The council also reaffirmed several minor technical deviations at the property that already exist – some since the 1970s when the school first opened its doors.
The school has already received administrative approval from the city to install two modular buildings on the property that are “centrally located at the school,” a memorandum from city staff said. With the addition of the modular buildings, the student enrollment could increase its capacity to approximately 895 students (an increase of 107 students from its current capacity of 788 students). The maximum student enrollment of 950 students will allow the school to have more flexibility with the number of students admitted each year, with potential expansion of the modular structures, should they get more applicants than anticipated as the years go on.
The student population is growing, said attorney Bonnie Miskel, who represented Boca Christian.
“They have a waiting list to get in,” she told council members. “Students are waiting to get in, so we’re hopeful you’ll agree with us and approve our application.”
“We love this community, and 52 years ago our church decided to launch this school,” said Cameron Free, Executive Pastor with Boca Christian. “We believe the demand for strong, values-based education will continue to increase.”
Miskel noted that since the school opened in 1973, there has never been a single complaint regarding parking or the queuing of vehicles around the property – a monumental anomaly when it comes to school facilities, public or private.
“We don’t even use half of the site, so there is no risk of impeding the public in any way, especially traffic backing out into the street,” Miskel said. “It is a unique site in that there are massive queuing areas. Schools are very unique to the extent that we expect queues – you’re going to be in a line to pick up your child. We’re not asking for additional or less queuing area, we’re asking to remain the same. In all the years they have operated, they have never had a complaint about pickup and drop-off, which is pretty amazing.”
City staff recommended the council approve the increase in student population.
“If there is a problem, we’ll be able to work with them to adjust their operations,” said Brandon Schaad, the city’s Development Services director. “But given the size of the site, they have a lot of room.”
