Facility Search Update – Sept. 2023

Bona Verba from the Headmaster

Dear CLASSICAL Families,

I would like to provide you with a comprehensive summary of the update on the Facilities Search shared by the Cincy Classical Board of Directors at the meeting held on September 27. For those who were unable to attend, we want to ensure you are fully informed about the important developments discussed during the meeting.

1. Permanent K-12 Facility at Tri-Ridge Blvd, Miami Township

Our primary focus has been securing the impressive 200,000 square foot property at 6285-87 Tri-Ridge Blvd, off of Ward’s Corner, as Cincinnati Classical Academy’s permanent K-12 facility. This property holds many advantages relating to overall space, cost, and timeline. We have completed work relating to feasibility, traffic studies, site plans, financing, and legal arrangements, but the property still needs to be re-zoned. While we have encountered challenges in re-zoning, we are committed to pursuing a zoning change that would allow educational use of the property.

2. Miami Township Zoning Commission Public Hearing

This is where your support can make a significant impact. A pivotal public hearing regarding the proposed zoning change is scheduled for October 5 at 7:00 PM. The location is the Miami Township Civic Building, 6101 Meijer Drive, 45150. We urge our community members living in Miami Township to voice their support for this change. Your presence and endorsement of our school’s value to the community can truly make a difference. While Cincinnati Classical Academy may not directly contribute to the township’s tax base due to our non-profit status, we firmly believe that our presence will bring numerous social, cultural, and economic benefits to the local community.

Should the zoning commission recommend the zoning change as an outcome of the public hearing, we have been informed that this recommendation will then be presented to the Miami Township Trustees for their consideration and action, expected to take place in November with an opportunity for an additional public hearing.

3. Split Campus Contingency Plan for 2024-25

Even if the zoning change is approved in November, it has become evident that we won’t have sufficient time to finish the renovations needed to open the school at the Miami Township location for the 2024-25 academic year. As a result, we have proactively developed a contingency plan for the 2024-25 school year to accommodate our anticipated growth and expansion. This plan entails maintaining a “split campus” for one year.

Under this arrangement, our K-4 students will remain at our Siebenthaler location, while grades 5-8 will temporarily relocate to the former St. Peter and Paul School at 300 West Vine Street 45215, across from Our Lady of the Valley Church. This site is conveniently located just 1.9 miles away from the Siebenthaler campus. We are actively working with Our Lady of the Valley to finalize a one-year lease, with their full support.

The St. Peter and Paul school building boasts 14 classrooms, including dedicated art and music rooms. Start times for both campuses will be staggered to accommodate families with students at both locations. We will also coordinate with the City of Reading to ensure a smooth traffic flow that does not interfere with other local schools.

4. Siebenthaler Property Purchase

The Cincy Classical Board of Directors is also actively exploring the idea of purchasing the Siebenthaler property as an auxiliary campus. While the Miami Township campus would serve approximately 1300 students in grades K-12, a second campus on Siebenthaler would allow the school to serve approximately 430 additional students in grades K-8, offering the same exceptional Hillsdale curriculum and school culture that defines Cincinnati Classical Academy. Our aim would be to provide for 8th graders from both campuses to continue on to larger high school grades on the K-12 Miami Township campus. Opening of the second campus might occur as soon as the 2025-26 school year, but this depends on several factors that have not yet been resolved.

While many details need to be worked out, we are optimistic about our expansion plans and the tremendous educational opportunities they will offer our community in the coming years.

Your trust, support, and engagement are invaluable to us as we seek the best path forward. If you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out to Dr. Jed Hartings (jed@cincyclassical.org), President of the Board of Directors.

Thank you for being an essential part of the Cincinnati Classical Academy family. Together, we are building a brighter future for our students and our community.