DANVILLE — Starting next school year, Schlarman Academy seventh- and eighth-graders will be housed at the Catholic school's secondary education campus at 2112 N. Vermilion St.

The academy's board recently approved the relocation to alleviate some overcrowding at the elementary education campus at 1304 N. Walnut St., among other reasons.

"Unfortunately, we had to turn some preschool students away for lack of space," Principal Bob Rice said. "This restructuring will give us ample space for all of our students next year."

"It will also pay off academically," board Chairwoman Anne Sacheli added. "We'll be able to offer some higher-level classes to seventh- and eighth-grade students who are looking for more of a challenge, as well as some other educational opportunities."

The academy officially opened at the beginning of the current school year. The Walnut Street campus currently houses about 380 pre-K through eighth-grade students, while the North Vermilion-Winter Avenue campus houses about 145 ninth- through 12th-grade students.

Rice said the move will offer several advantages.

"First of all, we'll be better able to utilize staff resources and strengths under the restructuring," he said, adding officials aren't anticipating any layoffs due to the transition.

"Also, we have four vacant classrooms in the north campus building," Rice said, adding that building will better accommodate additional students. Based on the academy's current enrollment, there could be 71 seventh- and eighth-graders next year.

In addition, there would be room to expand preschool classes in the elementary school building, Rice said. Currently, there are about 85 preschoolers are enrolled in four classes, Assistant Principal Mary Pat Shepherd said.

"We still have about seven or eight students on the waiting list," she said.

"The academy can't grow in size at any level if there's a waiting list or any student is turned away," Rice added.

Sacheli said there also would be room to expand the foreign language lab, which has taken off.

Rice said a committee of administrators, staff, parents and students has been formed to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible.

"They will examine the buildings and recommend room assignments," he said, adding officials have discussed grouping the seventh- and eighth-grade students together to form "a school within a school."

"There may be certain times of the day when we encourage some togetherness, and there may be times when we want to have some separation," Rice continued. "No decisions have been made on that or start times, a master schedule or how students will transfer from one class to another. We do know, though, that they will not be in self-contained classes."