Expansion

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Sharp Point Drive Buildings — A Standalone Junior-High Facility

Opening Fall 2025

Liberty Common School students are setting an ambitious pace toward mature literacy. They are making marvelous progress in preparing for citizenship and boundless futures. They need more room to learn.

When Liberty’s Board of Directors voted in April of 2022 to double elementary classrooms to six per grade from three, we set out to fulfill the strategy by renting what has become the LCS Aristotle Campus. Enrollment in that facility is still growing and being phased in such that, after three years of renting the Aristotle Campus, it is now prudent to buy it outright.

As envisioned, our first group of Aristotle 6th graders is now just months away from moving onward to blend with their academic peers from the Plato Campus in an expanded 7th-grade cohort beginning with the 2025-26 school year. We’ve been working on a standalone junior-high facility to house them along with next-year’s 8th graders, and we’re close enough now to share details of the planning and vision.

The school is making progress toward acquiring property adjacent to the Plato Campus to house the new junior-high facility – 1825 Sharp Point Dr., and 1901 Sharp Point Dr. It’s not a “done deal” yet; but, the permitting process has made our plans public generating lots of questions from the Liberty community. This statement is intended to address as many of them as possible while acknowledging things change.

We intend on gutting these structures, renovating them considerably, adding other amenities such as a gymnasium, and connecting the two existing buildings to make a single structure. This will occur in two phases and will take about two years. That’s the plan.

An important disclaimer to keep in mind right now is this: There are many variables in the planning – hurdles in front of us that must be cleared, some are high.

For example, we still have to close on the building. Our finance structure is complex and big. It involves adding a debt load to the school necessary to buying the Aristotle campus, buying the junior-high properties, and folding in existing debt on the two buildings we own (Plato and LCHS). We still need a raft of government permits, approvals, and certificates.

We’re optimistic about it all, yet cognizant something could fall through. So, please read on with that in mind.

Phasing the 2022 expansion plans is, of course, a welcomed progression for the families of the many hundreds of children whose names were on the school’s lottery and whose high hopes for attending our excellent school are finally realized. Expansion fulfills one of the most fundamental objectives of the school’s mission statement and our Charter agreement with the Poudre School District.

There will be lots of additional information rolling out in the coming months. Liberty will be diligent in sharing it all. In the meantime, please find nearby an “FAQ” document addressing likely and obvious questions parents may have about this exciting news.

Some questions may need more time to be answered fully. Updates will be communicated to make sure progress on our BOD’s vision is described in as timely a way as possible.

Thank you to the many parents, grandparents, employees, and school founders who have devoted many months, in some cases years, to exploring, weighing, and evaluating the school’s eventual junior-high facility. It has been a long time tracking the many variable factors that finally seem to be lining up to make the school’s inclusive mission more broadly accessible to families across Northern Colorado.

The New Campus

Liberty Common School’s standalone junior-high campus is being planned for a location immediately southwest of the Plato campus. If all goes according to plan, the current structures at 1825 Sharp Point Dr., and 1901 Sharp Point Dr., will be acquired, renovated, and combined to accommodate classrooms, a new gymnasium, labs, music & art rooms, office space, and storage.

For more updates including construction timelines, campus features, and ways to get involved.

Video Tour

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer: Information below is subject to change as planning is still underway. Please check back for updates. If you have more good questions we ought to address and include below, please SUGGEST HERE.

Why did the school choose this property?

The school chose this property because it provides Liberty Common School with additional space adjacent to its existing facilities. The location provides ample space for junior-high students. It creates room for other growth opportunities. Its proximity to both the Plato campus and LCHS ensures easy access to shared resources, further enhancing the school's ability to meet the needs of its students and community. Proximity to Liberty’s track and lighted soccer field is a big plus. Additionally, this property is a financially viable option, making it a sound investment for the school's future growth.

Did the school consider other properties and options?

What is the timeline for the move?

Phase 1 of the new campus is scheduled to open in August 2025 with additional construction anticipated to continue through 2027 to fully meet the school's needs.

Phase 1

January 2025 | Construction begins on 1825 Sharp Point Drive
August 2025 | Open 1825 Sharp Point Drive to 7th and 8th graders

Phase 2

Fall 2025–August 2026 | Construction begins on 1901 Sharp Point Drive and a connecting structure (Loggia) to link the two buildings
August 2026 | Open the southernmost parts of the facility – currently at 1901 Sharp Point Drive

Can we begin using 1825 Sharp Point and 1901 Sharp Point parking lots and driveways?

No. Liberty Common School does not own these facilities yet. They still belong to the current owners who have contracts with existing tenants regarding parking-space usage and through-flow traffic on driveway routes. Even after LCS becomes the official property owner, usage of these areas will be restricted to construction vehicles and building tenants – private businesses – whose moveout dates are phased over the coming months and whose livelihoods depend upon unimpeded customer and employee access.

What grades will this affect?

What measures are being taken to ensure a smooth transition for students and families?

Will transportation options be available for students who live farther from the new campus?

What facilities and resources will be available at the new campus?

How will this move impact co-curricular activities and athletics?

Will there be any changes to the school's academic programs or curriculum?

Slightly. The new classroom configuration may allow for additional offerings and electives particularly in art. Other possibilities are under consideration. All elements of the Core Knowledge Curriculum will be maintained with fidelity. We could always use more parent volunteers on the Parent-Education Advisory Committee. Review the current junior-high curriculum guide below:

How about safety and security?

What can parents do to help?

Buying property, renovation, and new construction are expensive propositions. We’ll be passing the hat – redundantly. If there’s anyone out there that might consider a really large gift, it will leave a lasting legacy and change lives. Please see the Liberty Common School Giving Page. Otherwise, parents can support the transition by staying informed, participating in communication channels provided by the school, and volunteering for committees or tasks related to the move when opportunities arise.

Will there be any changes to the school's leadership?

Yes. The Liberty Common Junior-High School principal is Mrs. Kathleen Kearney. She is in the process of assembling her team. Some faculty members will move from LCHS. It’s possible some elementary instructors may, too. A handful of new faculty and administrators will be hired. To the extent junior-high expansion creates vacancies elsewhere, those positions will be backfilled through the normal hiring process. Likely opportunities include instructors, paraprofessionals, teacher’s aides, and substitute teachers. To explore exciting career opportunities and to stay updated on current openings, we encourage prospective candidates to visit the school’s employment page regularly. Know a perfect instructor candidate? Please pass this news along.

How will the school address any potential concerns or challenges related to transportation, parking, and traffic flow at the new location?

Drop-off and pick-up safety is a high consideration, as is minimizing congestion on Sharp Point Dr. Consultation with traffic engineers and the architectural team is underway. Current plans contemplate drop-off, pick-up, and general building access to occur on the side of the building opposite Sharp Point Dr. Harmonizing traffic flow with Plato-campus traffic will occur. Staggered starting and finish times are under consideration to ease volumes and promote student safety.

Will there be any adjustments to the school's academic calendar, start times, or schedule?

How is the school funding this move?

Raise the Torch

Raise the Torch is Liberty’s capital-campaign fund. These dollars help fund the purchase, construction, and renovation of facilities including a junior-high campus, the Aristotle campus, and a performing-arts center.

Click the link below to learn more about contributing to the Raise the Torch campaign.

Give to Liberty Common School