Albemarle Planning Commission to consider enrollment increase at Tandem Friends School 

A phenomenon to keep tracking across Virginia is the growth in private school enrollment and how that might change public schools. The Albemarle Planning Commission will have a relevant public hearings on that matter at their meeting which begins at 6 p.m. in Lane Auditorium in the county’s office building at 401 McIntire Road. (agenda)

But the first public hearing is on a special use permit for Flow Hyundai to be able to have outdoor storage, display, and sales at its new location between 2070 and 2150 Seminole Trail. As part of this application, there is also a request to be exempt from a requirement that vehicles awaiting repair be screened from public view. (staff report)

Next, Olivet Preschool at Olivet Presbyterian Church operates at 2575 Garth Road and wants to expand from a maximum enrollment of 24 to 48. They also want to increase the hours of operation from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. to 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The main reason is that there is a growing waitlist due to demand. (staff report)

After that, Tandem Friends School will have a public hearing on their request to increase from 250 students to 400 students. 

“Increased enrollment capacity will give Tandem flexibility in their future planning and may help offset the County’s growing need for grade 9 through 12 schooling facilities,” reads the narrative. “Tandem currently has no plans for 400 students but foresees an immediate increase of approximately 15 to 30 students within the first two years of permit approval.” 

The narrative produced by Line and Grade states that a new building will be needed if enrollment hits 350. 

This would be the latest increase with permission for 250 students having been granted in 2013. 

Before you go: The time to write and research of this article is covered by paid subscribers to Charlottesville Community Engagement. In fact, this particular installment is from the May 28, 2024 Week Ahead edition of the newsletter.