COLUMBIA — Columbia Independent School is moving from Stephens College to a location a quarter of a mile north of the intersection of Stadium Boulevard and Interstate 70.
The school, which will be open for classes no later than June 2009, will be at 1801 N. Stadium Blvd.
“Stephens College has had a campaign to increase enrollment, so they asked us to move two years ago,” said John Thompson, chairman of the Columbia Independent School board of trustees. The school’s lease with Stephens ends in June 2009.
Thompson said he heard Salton Inc., a company that makes small electric appliances, was closing its operation in Columbia, and he contacted the company about its building. The independent school bought the building from Salton in early April, Thompson said.
Thompson said he is excited about getting more space. He said the area of the school, which is currently 34,000 square feet spread over buildings at Stephens College and Sacred Heart Church, will soon be about 62,000 square feet and in one building. He said he thinks this is a positive change because the new location off of I-70 will be more accessible to people.
Parents whose children attend Columbia Independent School were notified of the move earlier this year.