A new private school set to open in Wellington by 2028 will not offer American football or baseball, but will feature Olympic sports and travel opportunities, and perhaps bus service from West Palm Beach — and a scholarship plan could help more local students than might appear at first glance.
“I saw 20 scholarships per year for Wellington students,” said Melissa Raineri, a member of the Wellington Education Committee, after hearing an update from school officials on Tuesday, March 4. “I was hoping it might be a little higher for village residents. Is that something that is in stone?”
Scholarships could help more people than the baseline number might suggest at the school with 1,675 students eventually expected in pre-K through 12th grade, Marianne Rehn said. She represents a group that aims to build the $350 million school beside a mixed-use project of rental housing, restaurants, a hotel and shops from developer and partner Related Ross at the Wellington-owned K-Park property.
The school is being created by the founders of the international school group Education in Motion (EIM), Karen Yung and Fraser White.
“What we’ve committed to at this point is the 20 full equivalents, so that could actually touch more than 20 students,” Rehn said. “Maybe you touch 40 students based on a half scholarship, not a full stipend.”
In a fall workshop, school officials said costs could top $40,000 annually at the high school level.
The founders are making the scholarship commitment for the first five years, but fundraising or an endowment down the road could expand scholarship opportunities further, Rehn said.
Athletic, travel, science and arts offerings are intended to enhance a college-prep academic orientation. The venture will include an aquatic center, track, soccer and lacrosse fields, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, and an indoor fieldhouse, Rehn said.
Some of the points of emphasis include entrepreneurship, global connection and “passion” ventures, which could include pursuing an Olympic sport or excellence in the performing arts.
Students will have access to some 14 EIM schools in Asia, Europe and elsewhere through exchange and travel programs, though the Wellington school will operate separately as a U.S.-based, not-for-profit institution, officials have said.
The name of the school has not been announced. Some documents refer to it by a temporary placeholder name, “New School in Wellington.”
In January, the Wellington Village Council approved a $47 million deal to sell the K-Park land to Related Ross and the school, contingent on development approvals over the next 18 months or more. The school would sit on the western end of close to 70 acres southwest of State Road 7 and Stribling Way.
The latest timetable calls for opening “Phase I” of the school in August 2028. That involves 200,000 square feet of facilities and accommodates 225 students in early childhood through grade one, and 1,100 middle and high school students.
“From our research, and speaking to parents, there seems to be very significant demand for middle and high school spaces,” Rehn said.
Operating a bus system to ferry students from the West Palm Beach area and elsewhere is under discussion.
Rehn’s group believes 400 to 500 Wellington students attend private schools elsewhere now, and the new school would expect to draw from around the region as well.
By August 2031, “Phase II” would add another 150,000 square feet and 350 more students. This would fill in the full pre-K through grade 12 spectrum, adding grades two through five.
“We know a lot of parents have questions, so we wanted to have another opportunity to disseminate the information,” Committee Chair Shelly Albright said.
One matter that has the school’s attention as it plans to open the doors is staggering start times at its various grade levels, with an eye on schedules at other nearby schools, as well as neighboring residents going to work. Managing traffic on two-lane portions of Stribling Way could prove especially important.
“Trust me, we are very aware that coming into the community with the right traffic solution is essential,” Rehn said. “There will absolutely be staggered times.”
Committee Member Marcella Montesinos said she grew up with 40-minute commutes to a private school, and said she welcomes the chance for a closer option.
“Truly, Wellington is so dear to my heart, and I’m very excited to have an opportunity for parents who choose to send their kids to private school so nearby,” she said.
In response to a question about what happens to elementary students growing older before “Phase II” is quite complete, officials said planning is underway to bring about a “seamless experience.”
