Plans for Galilee Academy, a private Christian Science school, to establish a campus in Chesterfield, Missouri have been dropped due to significant neighborhood opposition.
The school had considered relocating to the 5.7-acre site of Noonan Farms, a former equestrian boarding facility on Baxter Road, but backlash from residents in the Claymont Woods subdivision forced a change in direction.
An online petition against the proposal quickly gathered over 800 signatures, prompting the school’s leadership to begin the search for an alternative site.
Community Raises Concerns About Traffic and Zoning Compliance
The main issue cited by residents was the increased traffic congestion on Baxter Road, especially during the opening and dismissal times of nearby Parkway West Middle School.
“Traffic on Baxter is already a nightmare,” said Bill Simon, a Claymont Woods resident. “Adding more vehicles would be unmanageable.”
While Galilee Academy positioned itself as a small, boutique school with offset pickup and drop-off schedules, this reassurance did little to sway public concern.
Chesterfield’s zoning laws also posed a challenge, as city code mandates 20 acres for high schools and 10 acres for middle schools, which the proposed site did not meet.
Galilee Academy’s Vision and Future Plans
Brian McCauley, head of Galilee Academy and former dean at Principia College, expressed disappointment but understanding in response to the opposition.
“It’s already difficult launching a new school and building from the ground up,” McCauley said. “We didn’t want to begin our journey with resistance from the community.”
Despite the setback, Galilee Academy still plans to open in time for the upcoming academic year at an interim location, which McCauley declined to disclose.
The school’s long-term goal remains to establish a permanent campus in west-central St. Louis County.
The institution’s educational framework is centered around four foundational pillars:
- Academic excellence
- Spiritual instruction
- Character and virtue development
- Patriotic or civic education
Although it is faith-based, Galilee is not affiliated with any specific church and is financially supported by private individuals who believe in its mission.
Galilee Academy’s decision to withdraw its Chesterfield plans demonstrates the challenges new private schools face when attempting to establish themselves in residential areas.
While community safety and infrastructure concerns must be considered, the school remains committed to its mission and will continue operations at a different location.
Galilee is moving forward with determination, aiming to provide values-driven education without disrupting local communities.