Your contribution
will help us serve more children.
Bhaktivedanta Academy is a leading educational institution within ISKCON, serving over 100 students in pre-kindergarten through high school with a spiritually-centered holistic education.
Demand for enrollment has significantly exceeded our capacity, resulting in long waiting lists for admissions, so we have embarked on an expansion plan to grow our school to its full potential.
Our Goal
Serve more families by expanding our classroom capacity through a multi-phase campus expansion, initially by adding additional modular classroom space to meet our existing waitlist, followed by a 20,000-square-foot purpose-designed and built flagship campus next to the ISKCON Alachua temple that can serve up to 250 students.
Phase I Expansion
2023
Our Phase I goal is to add 3,800 square feet of classroom space needed to serve a significant number of students on our waitlist, complete the purchase of 8 acres of property, and install the necessary roadway access and other infrastructure for our Phase II development.
COST: $960,000
CURRENT FUNDS: $400,000
Help Us Serve
Bhaktivedanta Academy is facing overwhelming demand from families who want to give their children the opportunity for a quality, spiritually-centered education. We have secured financing for half of our Phase I expansion and are seeking the financial support of our worldwide community to increase our ability to serve significantly.
Expansion Phase I Goal
PHASE I TOTAL COST: $960,000
CURRENT FUNDS: $400,000
Bhaktivedanta Academy: Who We Are
We offer an educational experience designed to give children the opportunity to grow to their highest potential — academically, socially, emotionally, and physically — all the while developing their spiritual identities in a nurturing and positive environment.
Over the years, we have steadily grown to over 100 students and are now at a place where we need to expand significantly to serve a surge of families who want to give their children the opportunity to be students here.
Years Operating
Students Enrolled
Students Waitlisted
Phase I and II Expansion Plan
This is a multi-phase project with a completion goal within the next five years – sooner if we can secure the funding commitments necessary to bring it to life in an accelerated timeframe.
Phase I (A) – Add 3,800 square feet of classroom space needed to serve the significant number of students on our waitlist. $580,000
Phase I (B) – Execute an 8-acre land acquisition and complete the county-mandated access road to our current and future campus. $380,000
Phase II – Design and build our 20,000-square-foot permanent campus facility to serve 250 students. $4,500,000
Phase I Expansion Progress
We are fully amid Phase I (A and B) with the goal of opening the doors to our new classrooms by the end of 2022. Highlighted below are the project milestones we have achieved so far:
1. PLANNING PERMISSION RECEIVED:
After many months of work, we obtained planning permission on October 6 from Alachua County to add 3,800 square feet of modular classroom space and finalize our access road design and associated water retention.
2. LAND PURCHASE NEGOTIATED:
We have negotiated the purchase of eight acres of land from ISKCON Alachua, which anchors Bhaktivedanta Academy to the temple community now and in the future.
3. INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION STARTED:
Work has commenced on the necessary infrastructure required to install 3,800 additional square feet of classroom space and required life safety infrastructure.
4. CLASSROOM PURCHASE AGREEMENT MADE:
A 3,800-square-foot modular classroom built to educational code requirements was located, and a purchase agreement to secure it was made.
Phase I Financials
Phase I (A) | |
Engineering and Permitting | $88,500 |
3800 Sq. Ft. Modular Classroom | $183,280 |
Modular Classroom Installation | $45,700 |
Modular Classroom Rehab | $78,440 |
Septic and Plumbing | $36,400 |
Electrical | $25,800 |
Decks | $3,800 |
Fire Alarm and Fire Suppression | $84,125 |
Classroom Furnishings | $19,000 |
Classroom Learning Materials | $15,000 |
TOTAL PHASE I (A) | $580,045 |
Phase I (B) | |
8 Acre Land Purchase | $ 130,000 |
Access Road and Water Retention | $ 250,000 |
TOTAL PHASE I (B) | $380,000 |
TOTAL PHASE I | $960,045 |
Help Us Serve More Families
Please consider what you can contribute to help us take Bhaktivedanta Academy to its next level of service. Your contribution will allow us to serve the many families at our doorstep and establish the foundation for our 20,000-square-foot campus facility.
Bhaktivedanta Academy is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible.
Our Families & Graduates Say
We moved to Alachua from Cape Town, South Africa to put our sons in Bhaktivedanta Academy. The school has surpassed our expectations, and we are extremely grateful for the extraordinary care, mentorship, and guidance that our sons have received there. We value the high academic standards, spiritual training, and immersive Vaisnava culture that the school offers its students. The staff of Bhaktivendanta Academy are deeply committed to the principle of Devotee Care in all their dealings with students and families. We love this school!
Madhurika & Mukunda
My husband and I are thrilled to have our children at Bhaktivedanta Academy because the teachers and staff are kind, encouraging, and supportive. They treat every child like one of their family members. The school provides a safe and welcoming environment for our children to learn and develop various skill sets that apply to life. All of this is beautifully infused with Vaishnava philosophy and culture, so the kids grow academically and spiritually. We are so blessed to have our children belong to such an excellent educational community.
Loka Prya & Aniruddha
Our son and daughter attended Bhaktivedanta Academy from pre-k through 10th-grade graduation. The school provided a nurturing environment that helped them grow both spiritually and academically. Not only was the school academically rigorous, it helped ingrain qualities such as humility, kindness, and respect. Our children received the full preparation they needed to both attend a top-5 public university and become good citizens of our world. We are forever grateful for this truly special school.
Jaya Govardhana & Lalita-Sakhi
During my time at Bhaktivedanta Academy, I grew immensely both spiritually and materially. All of the teachers, especially Mother Syam and Mother Jaya Sri Radhe saw potential in me and lovingly encouraged me to become the best student and devotee I could be. The education and support I received from Bhaktivedanta Academy allowed me to succeed at both Santa Fe College and the University of Florida.
Nistha
Bhaktivedanta Academy has been such a blessing in our lives. I cannot imagine my children attending any other school. The entire staff operates with such care and love for the kids. My mind is fully at ease knowing they are safe, learning, and growing beautifully. And best of all is my children are so happy there as well!
Manjari & Madhava
Bhaktivedanta Academy provided me with a solid academic and spiritual foundation that prepared me for college, university, and life as an adult. They have set a new standard for devotee schools internationally by maintaining an excellent balance between academics, spiritual programs, practical life experience, and fun. I am very fortunate to have been able to attend this school and highly recommend Bhaktivedanta Academy to any families with children in our community.
Ksina