HomeMy WebLinkAboutPN_RentonPrepProjectNarrative_191101_v1 .pdfPROJECT NARATIVE
KINDERGARTEN PREP – 12TH GRADE SCHOOL PROGRAM IN DOWNTOWN RENTON
200 MILL STREET, SUITE 100, SUITE 300 RENTON, WA 98178
BACKGROUND: Amazing Grace Lutheran School was founded in 1960. It is now known as
Renton Preparatory Christian School. In 1992, Amazing Grace was redesigned as an
accelerated academic environment dedicated to studying and applying research validated
educational reform principles from world class education research universities in America.
Adopting Harvard University’s “Mind, Brain and Education” theory of education Amazing
Grace outgrew its original Skyway (Southeast Seattle) site. It was leased the entire 1st floor
space in the 200 Mill Building beginning in March 2014 and renamed Renton Preparatory
Christian School. 2 years later the City of Renton leased the entire 3rd floor to Renton Prep for
its expansion. In November 2016 Renton Prep was selected as a Microsoft Showcase School
and in November 2018, Microsoft selected Renton Prep as its first and only United States K-
12 Flagship School. Renton Prep joined this globally recognized cohort of 16 other such
flagship schools from around the world who are changing the pedagogy of contemporary
global education. In June 2019, Renton Prep was recognized as the first internationally
certified STEM program in the State of Washington and was accredited by AdvancED, now
Cogia, an internationally and DOD recognized accreditation agency.
Renton Prep offers a digitally sophisticated, one-to-one hybrid tablet-laptop/smartphone
blended learning and research community. The school provides its current 160 students,
representing 26 ethnic backgrounds and 12 faith traditions, the opportunity to engage in a
course of studies stressing the development of moral character, basic and advanced skills and
logical analysis. In the past 3 years, government officials, educational leaders, international
policy experts, universities and corporation executives have traveled to Renton from over 26
countries to visit the Renton Prep school campus and consult with our students and staff. In
2018 the government of Croatia approached Renton Prep’s leadership to train 100 of its
teachers on-site, but the proposed collaboration was rejected by Homeland Security because
of present administration policy. Renton Prep continues to receive requests from
governments to train teachers and administrators to implement its approach to educational
transformation.
Project name, size, and location of site:
Renton Preparatory Christian School Expansion 160-240 students 200 Mill Street Suite
100, Suite 300 Renton 98057
Land Use Permits:
Conditional Use Permit; Environmental Checklist; Site Plan Review, Waiver Form
Zoning Designation: Urban Center
Current Use of the site and adjacent Properties: Office Space and School
Special Site Features: Water: Cedar River; Slopes to River
Soil Type/Drainage: City of Renton Owned and Maintained Property
Proposed Use of Property: Expansion of present lease with City of Renton. Now leasing the
entire 1st and 3rd floors we seek to expand to include a portion of the 4th floor for School
Classroom MakerSpace for Engineering, Art, Robotics, Drones, Virtual and Augmented Reality
Educational Research, Podcast and Audio-Visual Student Digital Artifact Production, with
global SKYPE meeting and research and training and meeting space for global partners, and
additional Staff Offices; NO exterior changes, One Interior Exit Door to be added if approved
for Assembly. No other Interior Remodeling expected. Will use past tenant improvements on
4th floor space “as is”.
Plats: Not applicable
Access: Public Street: Mill Street Entrance
Off-Site Improvements: None
Construction Cost/Fair Market Value: City of Renton Property
Estimated materials/Fill/Excavation : None
Trees removed: No Changes
Land Dedicated to City: None
Proposed job shacks, sales trailers, model homes: None
Proposed Modifications: Will add one exit door, if approved for assembly. Otherwise, will
use 4th floor space “as is”.
Distance in feet from wetland or stream: 35 feet
Distance closest area of work to ordinary high mark: 34 feet
Description of Existing Shoreline: Approximately 400 lineal feet of steep shoreline along the
Cedar River in a natural state