This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Garfield School is changing hands again, with Westminster College announcing the sale of the property on Wednesday to Elizabeth Academy, a private Montessori school based in Salt Lake County.
The campus, which will be renamed the Garfield Lab School, will be structured as a laboratory setting to train teachers and explore innovative educational programs, according to the announcement.
In a prepared statement, Elizabeth Academy head of school Jennifer Spikner said the laboratory and Montessori format will nurture children's natural curiosity and help students develop a love of learning.
"Through their work with hands-on skills, students develop independence, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as a strong work ethic," Spikner said, "all skills that will help them be successful throughout their lives.
The Garfield School, located at 1838 S. 1500 East, was built in 1921 and operated within Salt Lake City School District until 1970.
The property was purchased by Salt Lake City in 2006 and later sold to Westminster College for $2.2 million. Westminster planned to use it as an extension of its campus on 1300 East, but the space remained empty and in need of renovation and repair.
Westminster College President Stephen Morgan said in a statement that the school is excited to work with Elizabeth Academy on its purchase of the Garfield property.
"We have always wanted to be very thoughtful and deliberate with the use of Garfield," he said, "and after many studies and proposals, we determined the building would best be utilized by Elizabeth Academy."
Elizabeth Academy launched in 2009, offering early childhood education as well as elementary and middle school programming.
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