UCP of Central Florida
West Orange Charter School
Winter Garden, Florida (Orange County)
New school construction doubling the capacity for their innovative education model that brings together children with and without special needs in the same learning environment, serving 300 children and allowing every child to reach their full potential.
The Project
For more than 60 years, UCP of Central Florida (UCP) has reimagined the way schools can reach every child through customized instruction, multi-disciplinary approaches, and cultivating inclusive communities where children of all abilities are valued and inspired to reach their full potential.
UCP’s classrooms are structured to blend children with and without disabilities, providing opportunities to learn, play, and grow together. As a result, children develop empathy and empowerment at an early age.
UCP’s positive results have increased enrollment demand at its West Orange campus, creating a waiting list of over 100 students, a third more than the current school can handle. A new, 25,000 SF West Orange Campus will make UCP’s successful model of supportive, inclusive learning a reality for 315 (+149) children and expand outpatient Physical/ Occupational/Speech Therapy service capacity by 40% to 147. In both programs, a strong majority of children are expected to come from low-income, minority homes.
Community Impact
- The new facility includes the expansion of UCP’s successful teaching model that combines individualized learning, onsite therapy, and an open, inclusive environment for children with and without disabilities.
- The project will increase annual student enrollment to 315 (+149), eliminating waitlist of over 100 Pre-K ECE to 6th grade children, the majority of whom are low-income and minority.
- Increase capacity for Physical/Occupational/ Speech Therapy clients to 147 (+42).
- Create/retain 65 school-based jobs and 100 construction jobs.
Financing
- Total Project Costs: $10.2 million
- Total New Markets Allocation Secured: $10.0 million
Project Partners
- Civic Builders
- Truist Bank (formerly SunTrust Bank)
- Truist Community Capital (formerly SunTrust Community Development)
- UCP of Central Florida
