(KNSI) – The St. Cloud Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved a conditional use permit amendment Tuesday night, allowing Stride Academy to expand from serving grades K-8 to offering a full K-12 program.
The approval marks a significant milestone for the public charter school, which plans to begin accepting ninth-graders in the 2027-2028 school year and gradually add upper grades through 2031, when the first senior class would graduate.
Stride Academy Executive Director Eric Skanson told board members the expansion addresses a consistent request from families whose students complete eighth grade at the charter school. “Every year that we’re there when the eighth-grade families graduate from us, there’s a constant ask, when are you having high school? Are you going to be able to have a high school?”
The school currently occupies about half of the former Athlos Academy building with fifth through eighth-grade students and plans to serve up to 940 students in the building eventually. Stride took over the school after Athlos closed its doors last spring.
Much of the discussion centered on parking requirements, as the addition of driving-age students would create new demands on the facility. Senior Planner Dave Broxmeyer noted the site is currently five parking spaces short of meeting minimum requirements; however, staff recommended using a parking bank provision from its land development code, which allows green spaces to be converted to parking if needed. “If we begin to see a lot of cars parked out on the adjacent roadway or in some adjacent properties and things like that or on green space, then the planning director has the authority to require the property owner to install additional off-street parking.”
Up to 100 additional spaces could be added in existing parking islands, near the playground area, and by the athletic fields.
Skansen noted that approximately 85% of current students use bus transportation, and the school expects about 60% of high school students to continue riding buses, which could reduce parking demand.
The school may eventually add competitive athletics and activities, with a particular interest in soccer. The property includes green space behind the building suitable for athletic fields. The hours of operation will remain unchanged from current operations, and no major structural modifications to the buildings are planned.
No public comments were received during the hearing, and Broxmeyer reported receiving no emails, phone calls, or inquiries about the request before the meeting.
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