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Re: A school for the arts in the Crossroads
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:51 pm
by coreyo
earthling wrote:TheBigChuckbowski wrote:There's 1600 kids that live downtown?
'Greater' downtown, which includes the W Side/Summit area and Longfellow. Sounds like they'll give first dibs to 'greater downtown' residents and then open enrollment to rest of KCMO residents. Is an option for those who work downtown, just drop off the kid(s) on the way.
I hope kids doesn't include the 0-3 year olds. Lots of parents in my building simply have moved away for yards when their kid gets old enough to walk.
Re: A school for the arts in the Crossroads
Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 11:46 am
by KCMax
Dream of school in downtown Kansas City closer to reality
The educators already have the sponsorship of the University of Central Missouri for their proposed Crossroads Academy charter school. The Missouri Board of Education is scheduled to consider their charter application later this month. They have raised more than $100,000 toward their goal of $600,000 and have the backing of the Downtown Council and civic leaders, including R. Crosby Kemper III, the director of the Kansas City Public Library, and Phil Kirk, the retired chairman of DST Realty.
If it all comes together, Johnson and McDowell-Ray would like to open their school in August with 140 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Their goal is to have 370 students in kindergarten through eighth grade when the school is fully operational. They are kicking the tires of possible buildings, primarily in the Crossroads Arts District and the downtown loop.
Any suggestions for a good location?
Re: A school for the arts in the Crossroads
Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 1:21 pm
by bobbyhawks
KCMax wrote:Dream of school in downtown Kansas City closer to reality
The educators already have the sponsorship of the University of Central Missouri for their proposed Crossroads Academy charter school. The Missouri Board of Education is scheduled to consider their charter application later this month. They have raised more than $100,000 toward their goal of $600,000 and have the backing of the Downtown Council and civic leaders, including R. Crosby Kemper III, the director of the Kansas City Public Library, and Phil Kirk, the retired chairman of DST Realty.
If it all comes together, Johnson and McDowell-Ray would like to open their school in August with 140 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Their goal is to have 370 students in kindergarten through eighth grade when the school is fully operational. They are kicking the tires of possible buildings, primarily in the Crossroads Arts District and the downtown loop.
Any suggestions for a good location?
Not realistic for the fall, but the old West High School and/or Switzer building would be perfect.
Re: A school for the arts in the Crossroads
Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 8:45 pm
by chaglang
bobbyhawks wrote:KCMax wrote:Dream of school in downtown Kansas City closer to reality
The educators already have the sponsorship of the University of Central Missouri for their proposed Crossroads Academy charter school. The Missouri Board of Education is scheduled to consider their charter application later this month. They have raised more than $100,000 toward their goal of $600,000 and have the backing of the Downtown Council and civic leaders, including R. Crosby Kemper III, the director of the Kansas City Public Library, and Phil Kirk, the retired chairman of DST Realty.
If it all comes together, Johnson and McDowell-Ray would like to open their school in August with 140 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Their goal is to have 370 students in kindergarten through eighth grade when the school is fully operational. They are kicking the tires of possible buildings, primarily in the Crossroads Arts District and the downtown loop.
Any suggestions for a good location?
Not realistic for the fall, but the old West High School and/or Switzer building would be perfect.
If Switzer is the one on West Pennway, that might be a possibility for fall 2013. The West HS complex is is horrendous shape. The southmost section of the complex has thick layers of moss on the floors, and the KCPD has been using the high school to practice advanced door kicking techniques.
Re: A school for the arts in the Crossroads
Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 6:51 am
by FangKC
At one time, didn't UMB set aside the old building at 9th and Grand for the purpose of a downtown school?
Re: A school for the arts in the Crossroads
Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:33 am
by loftguy
FangKC wrote:At one time, didn't UMB set aside the old building at 9th and Grand for the purpose of a downtown school?
Seven years ago it was discussed. I believe the proposed space has been long since used for another purpose.
The West High/Switzer complex should be converted to multi FAMILY housing and community facilities (theater, gym, etc...).
Re: A school for the arts in the Crossroads
Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 2:00 pm
by KCDowntown
I'm pretty sure it was proposed for the white building on the left side of that picture.
KCDowntown
Re: A school for the arts in the Crossroads
Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 8:19 pm
by mgh7676
Although it wouldn't be possible to have a building designed and opened by August, a school would fit into the Quality Hill neighborhood perfectly. The area feels like a suburban neighborhood (parents might feel a little safer dropping there kids off in QH, opposed to East Village), so would not overwhelm kids. It might entice families to move into some of the neighborhood condos, and could fill up one of the empty lots in the neighborhood. I've only lived in Quality Hill for a couple months, but can't recall seeing more than 5 kids in the last couple months.
Re: A school for the arts in the Crossroads
Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 9:15 am
by KCPowercat
YMCA building would work well if they vacate with the proposed bigger Y. That's obviously a ways off and wouldn't work here but could work as a 2nd school.
Re: A school for the arts in the Crossroads
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 9:19 am
by elextendo
18 Holmes building has glass roof top with a field next door, Pabst building by lulus noodles also has outdoor area
Re: A school for the arts in the Crossroads
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 7:32 pm
by FangKC
The 18th and Holmes building is actually a good idea. I think it's mostly empty.
Re: A school for the arts in the Crossroads
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 7:43 pm
by FangKC
I don't know if it would be available, or if there is room in the building for a school with present tenants, but the McQueeny Lock building at W. Pennway and Pennsylvania might be a good choice as well.
Re: A school for the arts in the Crossroads
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 8:02 pm
by FangKC
There is actually another former school building in the Crossroads at Truman Road and Campbell--next to Bruce Watkins Drive. It is the former
George Washington Carver school. It appears to be in decent condition--and might be in better shape than the old West Junior High School on Summit. There appears to be gymnasium in it, and and outdoor playground might be constructed on the old used car lot to the north.
Re: A school for the arts in the Crossroads
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 7:22 pm
by mgh7676
Great news!
A long-time goal of opening a downtown charter school is nearing fulfillment following state approval and a sweetheart lease that will house the venture for a buck per month.
Dean Johnson, one of the co-founders of the Crossroads Academy, said Monday the Missouri Board of Education approved a five-year charter last week for the school, which expects to enroll 140 students in kindergarten through sixth grade beginning this fall.
DST Realty is allowing the program to use a vacant building at 1015 Central Ave. for two years at $1 per month.
Read more here:
http://www.kansascity.com/2012/02/27/34 ... rylink=cpy
Re: A school for the arts in the Crossroads
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 12:10 pm
by rxlexi
glad to see this Crossroads Academy idea come together so quickly and efficiently; it bodes well for the future of the school.
Now all they need is a name change from the typical "charter" sounding "Crossroads Academy" to something that sounds exclusive and upscale...The New City School, or something otherwise as snooty sounding. Let's change perceptions with this place.
Would be great to see this as a desirable flagship for education in the urban core....sort of an everyman's alternative to St. Pauls or something. A little bit elitist. A school version of Cosentino's grocer downtown - upscale, urban, unique to DT in that way that appeals to creative types and the Brooklyn neighborhood-lifestyle dreamers.
Re: A school for the arts in the Crossroads
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 12:40 pm
by mgh7676
Will this school have any sort of athletics? Will they have to bus them out to other school's athletic fields if they do?
Re: A school for the arts in the Crossroads
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 11:47 pm
by IraGlacialis
mgh7676 wrote:Will this school have any sort of athletics? Will they have to bus them out to other school's athletic fields if they do?
It stated that it is kindergarten through six-grade, so the point is moot. Hopefully though, a high school does get put in later on; there seems to be quite some potential space-wise in the east crossroads.
In any case things like this can not only change perceptions, but also give people a reason to stay downtown once they start families.
Re: A school for the arts in the Crossroads
Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 12:32 am
by mgh7676
Well, even if it isn't a high school, aren't physical education classes mandatory for grade schoolers or is that a thing of the past? I couldn't imagine going through grade school without the satisfaction of kickball or freeze tag. I love the idea of a school downtown, it just seems odd that there would be no gym area or outside playground. Of course, I could be completely wrong, and there could be a space made into a gym in the building.
Re: A school for the arts in the Crossroads
Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 1:05 am
by KCPowercat
Rooftop garden
Re: A school for the arts in the Crossroads
Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 11:23 am
by IraGlacialis
mgh7676 wrote:I love the idea of a school downtown, it just seems odd that there would be no gym area or outside playground. Of course, I could be completely wrong, and there could be a space made into a gym in the building.
Ah, I thought you were talking about a full-scale football field and such.
Looking at the area, it looks like there would be enough room on that adjacent surface slot to have a playground and decent sized gym (assuming they don't simply put the gym inside the building). I've seen schools that worked with less space, and the small projected student body would help with that.
And if it could support weight, there is the option of putting a tall fence up and having the playground on the rooftop.
EDIT: It looks like they plan on expanding it to 7th and 8th, in which place large-scale athletic facilities may be desired for teams (though the student body size would put that into question).