SPCSA approves Matter Academy cap increases and Pinecrest Springs relocation and cap expansion
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Summary
The board granted Matter Academy increased enrollment caps at two campuses and approved Pinecrest Academy’s relocation of its Springs campus to a permanent site with a higher cap, subject to SPCSA preopening conditions and transportation plans.
The State Public Charter School Authority approved two charter amendment requests on Wednesday: an enrollment cap increase for Matter Academy (East and Cactus campuses) and a facilities relocation with cap increase for Pinecrest Academy’s Springs campus.
SPCSA staff summarized Matter’s request to raise its enrollment caps for the East (K–12) and the Cactus (K–5) campuses to match facility capacity and growing family demand. Staff noted the East campus had about 2,492 students on validation day and the Cactus campus 350; Matter reported long wait lists. Renee Fairless, speaking for Matter, described the transition of the Cactus campus after it joined the Matter network and said the school had seen early signs of academic growth and community engagement.
On Pinecrest, staff said the Springs campus opened in a temporary location in August 2023 and secured a permanent 47,489‑square‑foot facility at 2850 South Lindell Road (89146). The board approved relocating the campus into that facility and increasing the Springs cap to 681 students for the 2026‑27 school year, up from an approved 421. Principal Jessica Medina told the board the school will pursue a transportation grant and provide before‑ and after‑care to mitigate travel barriers for families.
Both actions were approved by motions on the record and carried unanimously. The Pinecrest approval carries a condition that the school complete the SPCSA preopening process before occupying the new facility.
What’s next: SPCSA staff will monitor compliance with preopening conditions and enrollment growth; Pinecrest and Matter will submit the required documentation and update SPCSA as they implement transportation and operational plans.