Master Plan/Capital Planning Update

I would like to thank Senator Bill Ferguson for taking the time last month to speak with parents and staff regarding the severe overcrowding at Hampstead Hill Academy.  Senator Ferguson noted that our school is highly effective and should be considered a priority for phase one of the 10 Year Plan.  We serve more than 700 students in a building built for 444 students.  We are at 160% of our enrollment.  Only two schools in the City are more overcrowded than our school, and both are in Year Two of the Plan.  In order to remain an anchor for families in the southeast, HHA needs to implement a Master Plan.  The HHA draft Master Plan calls for a new 35,000 square foot addition to be built on the land presently occupied by the gym, garden, playground and part of the blacktop.  Staff and parent input on programming has been sought and considered in the development of the draft plan.  A new, larger gym/auditorium, new PreK classrooms, larger library and cafeteria, and 9 new middle school classrooms are included in the project.  The garden and the playground would be relocated to Linwood Avenue, and a rooftop play area would be fenced in and provide spectacular views of the neighborhood.  Our hope is that funding will be secured and construction completed within 2-3 years.  School would continue on site during construction.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.