Parkside Discussion: New Development

We understand that the decision to repurpose a building as an early childhood center brings up many questions. This FAQ section is designed to provide you with clear and detailed information about the reasons behind this initiative, the benefits it offers, and how it will impact our community.  This section will be updated regularly with additional topics and information so please be sure to check back often.

Parkside Discussion: 

Questions about New Development 

This document is intended to answer questions that have arisen as we have begun a conversation about repurposing Parkside Elementary to an Early Childhood Center.

Approved New Development (per city of Rockford):

1. Summit Point: 27 single family homes. Under development currently – work has commenced on the water/sewer/utilities. Home construction will begin spring/summer 2025. First occupancy of homes – 2026. Valley View Elementary attendance area.
   1. Anticipated impact on enrollment: Between 13 and 27 students.
      1. Why that estimate? Autumn Acres across 10 Mile (Division) is a similar development and price point. We currently have 11 students from that development.
2. Summit Pines: 6 single family homes. Under development currently – work has begun commenced on water/sewer/utilities. Home construction will begin spring/summer 2025. First occupancy of homes – 2026. Valley View Elementary attendance area.
   1. Anticipated impact on enrollment: Between 3 and 10 students.
      1. Why that estimate? It is only 6 homes.
3. Creekview Bluffs: 47 single-family townhomes. Preliminary plan is approved. Home construction is slated to begin spring 2026. First occupancy of homes – 2027. Parkside Elementary attendance area. 
   1. Anticipated impact on enrollment: Up to 25 students.
      1. Why that estimate? A similar development at Myers Lake Rd. and Belding Rd. (by Ric’s Market), which has over 100 townhomes/single family homes, produces 23 students to the district – 6 elementary and 17 secondary.
4. Heritage Park: 21 single family lots remaining in the buildout of the subdivision. Build out will continue for the next 1-2 years through 2026. Occupancy will vary. Valley View Elementary attendance area.
   1. Anticipated impact on enrollment: Up to 21 students
      1. Why that estimate? Currently from the Heritage Park neighborhood we have 221 students from approximately 250 homes in the neighborhood.

Additional property to be developed

1. Property on Donald Street owned by the Rockford Baptist Church: Potential 6-12 homesites
2. Tamarack Townhome property: Build out of Townhomes. Up to 15 homesites
3. Michigan State Police Post on old Northland Dr. Potential 8 townhomes.

According to information provided to me by the city of Rockford, these developments are not approved yet. These developments do not appear imminent – within the next two years. The soonest possible impact 2027 or beyond.

Potential impact of development by 2030

1. Several properties will be developed within the city of Rockford, and in the current Parkside and Valley View attendance areas by 2030.
2. The impact of these developments for the district will probably be under 100 students.
3. Capacity within the system could absorb these students even if we repurpose Parkside into an Early Childhood Center.