ORLANDO, Fla. — Legends Academy in the Clear Lake/Washington Shores community will close Dec. 31 because of “unsustainable financial challenges,” the board announced in a statement released Tuesday.
“After careful review of the school’s financial condition and long-term viability, the Board of Directors made the difficult decision to close the school due to unsustainable financial challenges,” the statement said. “This decision was not made lightly and does not diminish the impact the school has had on generations of families.”
The closure means about 200 kindergarten through eighth-grade students will need to go to new campuses starting when schools reopen Jan. 6.
“The Board is working closely with the School District to complete the required closure process and support families as they plan next steps,” the statement said.
A small staff will remain at the school in January to help ensure a smooth transition of student records, a spokesperson said.
This note is posted on a gate at the school.
(Spectrum News/Nick Allen)
The charter school, originally known as the Nap Ford Community School because former Orlando City Councilmember Nap Ford had fought for a public school in that area, opened in 2001.
The board of directors made a decision on the closing at a virtual meeting on Monday.