Anonymous
Post 03/15/2016 13:52     Subject: Lee Montessori Location Announced
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:

I drove past the school, it looks like there are three very defined wings. Administration said in their email separate spaces, entrances, etc. The Lee portion at least is being financed through Building Hope, our development partner.


That's what I figured, makes sense. They are probably financing each part separately. Building Hope will be able to get the Lee part done with no problem. A little surprised about the Washington Leadership Academy, that's a lot of space and couldn't have come cheap. To be able to get that as a school which hasn't opened yet, they might have some big money backers who are kicking in a ton of equity.


I interpreted the email to mean that Building Hope will be buying the entire building along with some property developers. WLA will lease from them.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2016 13:51     Subject: Lee Montessori Location Announced
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:

I drove past the school, it looks like there are three very defined wings. Administration said in their email separate spaces, entrances, etc. The Lee portion at least is being financed through Building Hope, our development partner.


That's what I figured, makes sense. They are probably financing each part separately. Building Hope will be able to get the Lee part done with no problem. A little surprised about the Washington Leadership Academy, that's a lot of space and couldn't have come cheap. To be able to get that as a school which hasn't opened yet, they might have some big money backers who are kicking in a ton of equity.


Sam Walton? Didn't they back the Collatta school (sp) - which is a huge, lovely building. I went there for a service event one and just realized that though it isn't that far from eastern market etc. it is never mentioned on here.



Lots of foundations supported St. Coletta's as it converted from a private school to a charter in 2006. The buildling was designed by Michael Graves.

You don't hear much about it because to attend a child must be diagnosed with intellectual disabilities, autism or multiple disabilities and have minimum of 24.5 hours of special education services on their IEP.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2016 13:42     Subject: Lee Montessori Location Announced
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:

I drove past the school, it looks like there are three very defined wings. Administration said in their email separate spaces, entrances, etc. The Lee portion at least is being financed through Building Hope, our development partner.


That's what I figured, makes sense. They are probably financing each part separately. Building Hope will be able to get the Lee part done with no problem. A little surprised about the Washington Leadership Academy, that's a lot of space and couldn't have come cheap. To be able to get that as a school which hasn't opened yet, they might have some big money backers who are kicking in a ton of equity.


Sam Walton? Didn't they back the Collatta school (sp) - which is a huge, lovely building. I went there for a service event one and just realized that though it isn't that far from eastern market etc. it is never mentioned on here.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2016 13:22     Subject: Lee Montessori Location Announced
Anonymous wrote:

I drove past the school, it looks like there are three very defined wings. Administration said in their email separate spaces, entrances, etc. The Lee portion at least is being financed through Building Hope, our development partner.


That's what I figured, makes sense. They are probably financing each part separately. Building Hope will be able to get the Lee part done with no problem. A little surprised about the Washington Leadership Academy, that's a lot of space and couldn't have come cheap. To be able to get that as a school which hasn't opened yet, they might have some big money backers who are kicking in a ton of equity.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2016 12:27     Subject: Re:Lee Montessori Location Announced
Anonymous wrote:Has Shining Stars confirmed the Randolph location yet? And by that I mean signed the lease?


They are in final negotiations same as Lee. Hopefully both schools will sign ahead of May 1st.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2016 12:25     Subject: Re:Lee Montessori Location Announced
Has Shining Stars confirmed the Randolph location yet? And by that I mean signed the lease?
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2016 12:23     Subject: Re:Lee Montessori Location Announced
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Whoa, wish we'd bumped Lee up on our list. I was scared they were going to move someplace super inconvenient after next year. This place looks awesome!


I know! Liked them best but put schools with permanent buildings ahead of them.


This is understandable. But the system rewards risk takers.


Yes, but hard to take risks with your kid's future. Lee was looking at buildings in asthma ally. This is a strike of good fortune - it could have gone a very different way. We need to get DCPS to start releasing buildings again so parents can choose the education they want for their kids.


Totally agree on this. But not holding my breath.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2016 12:20     Subject: Lee Montessori Location Announced
Nice work, Lee. Congrats on an amazing location and beautiful space to grow your school.

-Founding ITS parent who experienced 3 buildings in 4 years with our fabulous school
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2016 12:20     Subject: Re:Lee Montessori Location Announced
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Whoa, wish we'd bumped Lee up on our list. I was scared they were going to move someplace super inconvenient after next year. This place looks awesome!


I know! Liked them best but put schools with permanent buildings ahead of them.


This is understandable. But the system rewards risk takers.


Yes, but hard to take risks with your kid's future. Lee was looking at buildings in asthma ally. This is a strike of good fortune - it could have gone a very different way. We need to get DCPS to start releasing buildings again so parents can choose the education they want for their kids.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2016 12:13     Subject: Re:Lee Montessori Location Announced
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Whoa, wish we'd bumped Lee up on our list. I was scared they were going to move someplace super inconvenient after next year. This place looks awesome!


I know! Liked them best but put schools with permanent buildings ahead of them.


This is understandable. But the system rewards risk takers.


ha ha, what a GREAT way to run a public school system!


All I'm saying is that once a school is a sure thing it's also going to be much harder to get into.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2016 12:07     Subject: Re:Lee Montessori Location Announced
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Whoa, wish we'd bumped Lee up on our list. I was scared they were going to move someplace super inconvenient after next year. This place looks awesome!


I know! Liked them best but put schools with permanent buildings ahead of them.


This is understandable. But the system rewards risk takers.


ha ha, what a GREAT way to run a public school system!
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2016 12:03     Subject: Re:Lee Montessori Location Announced
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Whoa, wish we'd bumped Lee up on our list. I was scared they were going to move someplace super inconvenient after next year. This place looks awesome!


I know! Liked them best but put schools with permanent buildings ahead of them.


This is understandable. But the system rewards risk takers.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2016 12:02     Subject: Re:Lee Montessori Location Announced
Anonymous wrote:Whoa, wish we'd bumped Lee up on our list. I was scared they were going to move someplace super inconvenient after next year. This place looks awesome!


I know! Liked them best but put schools with permanent buildings ahead of them.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2016 11:56     Subject: Re:Lee Montessori Location Announced
Whoa, wish we'd bumped Lee up on our list. I was scared they were going to move someplace super inconvenient after next year. This place looks awesome!
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2016 11:46     Subject: Lee Montessori Location Announced
Anonymous wrote:Most beautiful public charter school building in the city!


I don't know, YY, Potomac Lighthouse, Perry Street prep are all gorgeous. It's more distinctive perhaps. Very exciting nonetheless. Now I need to stop thinking about this and get to work.