EF International School Eyes Expansion at Mt. Pleasant Site
Though it has been open for less than one year, EF International Academy already is seeking to expand its high school facilities.
Representatives of the boarding school, located on a portion of the former Legion of Christ property off of Columbus Avenue in Thornwood, told the Mount Pleasant Town Board at its Dec. 16 meeting that EF International anticipates sharp enrollment increases over the next few years.
Shawna Sullivan, the school’s director of public affairs, told the board that EF International, which opened at the site in September, expects an additional 250 students by the fall of 2016. School officials want to work with the town to develop expansion plans, Sullivan said.
In subsequent years, there could be as many as another 450 additional students living and studying on the campus, she said.
John Kirkpatrick, an attorney representing the school, said enrollment will spike quickly when the winter semester begins next month. Enrollment will rise by about 50 students to around 700, he said.
Kirkpatrick took the opportunity to relate to town officials how pleased EF International is with its facility.
“The kids who are here love it,” he said.
EF International would seek town approval to renovate existing buildings, which are located in the center of the property, followed by the construction of new facilities, said Christopher Stoddard, an architect retained by the school.
To deal with the projected enrollment increase, EF International is considering construction of a 700-bed student residence that would be built in two phases south of its current facilities. It is also considering adding athletic fields on the eastern portion of its 97-acre parcel, including a soccer field, a soccer practice pitch, a running track and tennis court. An athletic building, with an indoor swimming pool and 800 retractable seats, would be built on the east side of the property.
Additionally, the school is exploring construction of an arts building, with studios and classrooms. Another idea being mulled over is a new four-bedroom headmaster’s house, featuring a private garden, on the western portion of the land. The school may add housing for staff and teachers, including four studio apartments and six two-bedroom apartments.
School representatives told the town board it would create a master plan and was seeking input from town officials.
Sullivan said the school would need its special permit amended by the town. EF International officials are planning to submit their request in January. If town board approval is granted for the amended permit, the next step would be to obtain planning board approval for amendments to its site plan, Sullivan said.
Town board members said they were pleased with the school’s opening months in town and would consider its future plans.
“It’s very exciting,” Councilman Mark Rubeo said.
