Haywood Christian Academy gets room to grow
Haywood Christian Academy will close on the former Old Cavalry Road Baptist Church property May 31. Haywood GIS photo
Next fall, students at Haywood Christian Academy will all attend classes together in a new building that brings the two campuses together but still leaves them room to grow.
“It has always been our vision to unite the campuses under one roof,” said Head of School Kelly Herbert. “The school has always been on two campuses from the very beginning, and we’re 11 years old now.”
Currently, the school owns the former Woodland Baptist Church at 1400 Old Clyde Road, where students in grades four through 12 receive instruction; the school also leases space from New Covenant Church at 767 Lee Road for pre-K through third grade classes.
But after the Town of Waynesville issued a special-use permit earlier this month, HCA is on its way toward purchasing the former Old Cavalry Road Baptist Church, which lies just off Dayton Drive in Waynesville.
Herbert said the school plans to close on the 7.07-acre property May 31.
Around that same time, Old Cavalry Road Baptist Church will begin hosting services at its new facility, just down the road in Maggie Valley; the church purchased the long-disused 800-seat Eaglenest events center on Soco Road for $2.4 million last month.
Related Items
Americana, folk at Frog Level
HCAC ‘Small Works’ exhibit
Helene damage coming into focus in Waynesville
This must be the place: ‘Armed with will and determination, and grace, too’
That move by Old Cavalry Road, Herbert said, made HCA’s move possible; HCA had been looking for land, and had considered building a new structure to house the 120 or so students enrolled. The school needs more classroom space according, to Herbert, and outdoor space as well.
“We have always wanted to have our own athletic facility, so there’s definitely room on the property for that,” she said, noting that athletics were not an immediate goal.
“Our goal is to develop students into Christian leaders by providing an excellent educational experience built on a foundation of Biblical truth,” she said. “That sets us apart from any other educational institution in this county.”
As for HCA’s current building on Old Clyde Road, Herbert said the school would likely put it up for sale; Providence Presbyterian Church currently rents a portion of the building for its services and may be a viable buyer.
