TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — After months of delays, the Tallahassee Classical Charter School is finally becoming a reality here in the Capital City.
Community members gathered today to witness a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the new school. Getting to this point has not been a smooth process for the school's founders.
The new school will be located on a 13-acre property off of Tram Road in Southwood. Both charter school founders tells ABC 27 that the road to construction hasn't been easy but it has been worth it.
"This feels like a pinch me moment," said Jana Sayler, the co-founder of Tallahassee Classical School. "I can hardly believe that we are here."
"We are so happy and thankful we finally made it to this day," said Adrienne Campbell, the principal of the school.
The road to this groundbreaking has not been an easy one. The struggles for the Tallahassee Classical school started back in 2018.
"We applied for our charter in February 2018. That's the standard time to apply to. I allows for a year and a half for the school to locate a facility and open," said Sayler. "In our case, we were denied so we had to appeal and that took up some time -- then we did identify a piece of property but we missed some deadlines."
Missed deadlines this past spring forced 450 children to wait another year, with some parents left scrambling to figure out a place for their children to attend school this year.
For the school, there has been some luck through the delay.
"In the struggle really wonderful things happen," said Campbell. "As a result of the struggle we have this beautiful piece of property. We have the opportunity to purchase additional acrege and we will be able to expand."
Tallahassee Classical School is expected to open fall 2020.
The school is a tuition-free public charter school that focused on liberal arts. The opening is one that has some parents pretty excited.
"The classical school model is a great way for kids to learn," said Matt Mohler, a parent. "Raising critical thinkers who are in search of the truth. We are real happy that we are going to have that opportunity here in Tallahassee."
Despite the set backs and anything else that could happen down the road. Campbell and Sayler are committed to seeing their dream come true.
"We just keep on keeping on and we believe very strongly that classical education has a home in a public school setting," said Campbell.
The school will be for students in grades kindergarten through 8. The goal is to add more grade levels down in the years to come.
For more information about the Tallahassee Classical School and how to sign up, click here.
