The University of Memphis plans to expand their existing Campus School options by adding a junior high school in the former St. Anne Catholic School, located on Spottswood Avenue and Highland Street.
The U of M Campus School plans to work alongside Shelby County Schools to create a learning environment beneficial to their incoming students, according to an email from the Office of the President to the U of M faculty and staff.
“The goal is to create a cutting-edge educational program that both capitalizes on the rich resources of the University of Memphis and stands as a model of innovation for middle school education,” M. David Rudd, president of the U of M, said. “It will also aim to expand the idea of what a laboratory school can be.”
The junior high school would add on to existing schools Barbara K. Lipman Early Childhood School, a kindergarten, and Campus School, an elementary school.
“It provides a neighborhood school outlet for faculty and staff children, along with helping to fuel continued economic development in our neighborhoods and along the Highland Strip,” Rudd said.
Rudd said he wants to develop the southern side of campus in particular to spur economic growth between the main campus and the Park Avenue campus, using faculty expertise on campus to help with the effort.
“We’re hoping to continue to help facilitate economic development along Highland, the surrounding area and toward our Park Avenue campus,” Rudd said. “It’s important to have local neighborhood alternatives for our faculty, staff and neighborhood residents.”
Katherine Schaffzin, interim dean of the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and a professor of law, was selected to co-chair the seven-member steering committee with the responsibilities of working through the stages of the development for the new junior high school. These duties will include developing the curriculum, the faculty selection process and establishing the school’s values and beliefs.
“Our committee is still in a very preliminary stage,” Schaffzin said. “We plan to study the issue by hearing from a variety of constituents before settling on any specific plan.”
Jennifer Hitt, whose daughter currently attends Campus School, said she is thrilled her daughter can extend her education at Campus School through the new junior high school.
“Campus School has benefitted our family and my daughter’s education tremendously,” Hitt said. “Continuing her education with her peers into her junior high school years is a comforting thought because the school does a great job of incorporating education and fun together, making the learning process for my daughter enjoyable.”
Rudd said the U of M hopes to have a definitive timeline for the project by late September after they have reviewed renovations and cost projections for the former St. Anne’s property.
