The Village School of Gaffney recently put up a sign on Gregory Road to mark the future site of its new school. Pictured are school board president Dr. Michelle Jolly, Johnny Greene, Faith Hutcheson, Sherry Blackwell, Angie LeCroy and Ginny Elmore. The Village School of Gaffney has started a $1.5 million capital campaign to build a new school.

School leaders have until Feb. 28 to match an anonymous gift of $10,000 in cash that was made this month to help kick off the capital campaign. The school serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Local dentists Drs. Hank and Michelle Bedell Jolly recently donated 20 acres of land on Pacolet Highway. The property includes 200 feet of road frontage and is located near Limestone-Central Elementary.

First Baptist Church in Gaffney has shared its education building with the Village School since the school opened in August of 2002.

The nondenominational, private Christian school is based on the classical education philosophy of English educator Charlotte Mason. In addition to regular academic subjects, students spend time learning about the Bible and taking German, Japanese and Latin.

Depending on fundraising efforts, Village School of Gaffney Director Faith Hutcheson said the current plan is to begin moving the school to its new location in 2009.

"We are now ready to move forward to secure the future of The Village School," Hutcheson said. "It is my earnest prayer that we never lose our focus of being a God-centered school. To Him we give all the glory and praise for the great things He has done."

The Village School of Gaffney was organized under the leadership of former Oakwood Preparatory School Director Rosemary Moore. The Village School was fully accredited within the first three years by the South Carolina Independent School Association.

Since it opened five years ago, the school has grown from 25 students and four staff members to 97 students and 16 teachers.

Michelle Bedell Jolly is chairwoman of the Village School board of directors. Mason, the oldest of the Jollys two children, will start kindergarten at the school this fall.

"The Village School has enjoyed a great relationship with First Baptist Church and really appreciate their support," Michelle Bedell Jolly said. "In order for this school to grow, we have to get into a larger space. Hank and I talked and prayed about it. We just decided we wanted to do something good for the school and community."

Village School of Gaffney seventh grader Hayden Breckenridge has already gotten students involved in the capital campaign. He has donated $1 and encouraged all students to match his donation.

As of this writing, Breckenridge has collected almost $100 from students.

Tax-deductible gifts can be made to the Village School of Gaffney capital campaign. Commitment cards are available at 200 N. Limestone St., Gaffney.

The school will hold an open house March 12 from 6:30-8 p.m. so parents can tour the facility and speak with teachers.