Charter school to move into old Hinckley Elementary School building

HINCKLEY TWP. — A charter school will move into the former Hinckley Elementary School building, with classes expected to begin this fall. The school, Hinckley Preparatory Academy, is for students in early kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of Accel Schools, which is a public charter school management organization with more than 50 schools throughout the country. Many Accel Schools are in Northeast Ohio and the Columbus area. According to Hinckley Preparatory Academy's website, the school will teach the core subjects to students such as math and English language arts as well as life skills. There is also supposed to be a focus on athletics with an afternoon program that consists of team sports, physical conditioning and practicing mindfulness. As of Tuesday evening, Accel Schools has not responded to requests for comment. In 2021, Highland Schools students moved into the new Hinckley Elementary School. All three elementary buildings in the district were replaced because of each school's aging condition. Hinckley Preparatory Academy made a Facebook post earlier this month, which said it is excited to renovate the property for the next school year. Also, the Hinckley Township Trustees voted last June for the former Hinckley Elementary School to remain an R-1 residential zoning area rather than change it to be a part of the Hinckley Town Center District. At that meeting, residents voiced concerns such as a dollar store moving into the area if it was rezoned to commercial. Educational institutions are considered conditionally permitted uses in Hinckley's R-1 district. Hinckley Preparatory Academy currently has job listings available for several positions like teachers, school office manager and principal on its website at bit.ly/3ncNS2N. It is also looking to enroll students for the next school year, which is anticipated to start on Aug. 16. The school is at 1586 Center Road in Hinckley Township. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.