STEELE CREEK NEWS

New Private and Public Schools Coming to Steele Creek

(April 10, 2005) Lake Wylie and Steele Creek Elementary Schools are among the Charlotte-Mecklenburg system's most crowded. Not only do many students receive instruction in mobile classrooms, but also areas designed for other uses, such as gymnasiums and art and music rooms, have been converted to classrooms. Lunches are scheduled in periods extending over three hours in cafeterias that were designed for many fewer students than they now have to service.

Some relief will come in fall 2006 when the new elementary school adjacent to Winget Park is scheduled to open. Mecklenburg County Commissioners approved funding for this school in October 2004.

In February, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education approved a new 10-year master plan that calls for construction of at least six additional schools in Steele Creek over the next ten years. Four of these are elementary schools: one adjacent to the Palisades Town Center, one in the joint-use site of the proposed Berewick District Park, and two additional locations in lower Steele Creek. The other two are a middle school and a high school in Lower Steele Creek. Additional land procurement and construction is dependent on funding availability.

A new private Episcopal school is planned in The Palisades. It is expected to open in a temporary facility in fall 2007 with grades K through 3 or 4, eventually expanding to K through 8. St. Francis Episcopal Church also will occupy the same campus.

Lake Wylie Pilot
Residents share views on new school, church (3/28/05) By Beth Bargar
   New Episcopal school planned in The Palisades
Private school, church planned at Palisades (3/15/05) By Beth Bargar
   Episcopal school to open in 2007

Charlotte Observer
Private religious school planned (3/16/05) By Ken Garfield
   Palisades Episcopal to open in 2007

Good Shepherd United Methodist Church currently provides classes for pre-school, kindergarten, and 1st grade. The school plans to add a 2nd grade next year, eventually expanding through 8th grade according to their five-year plan. For more information see the Good Shepherd Christian School web page.

Lake Wylie Pilot
Good Shepherd school to add second grade (2/22/05) By Beth Bargar
   Five year plan calls for enrollment through grade eight