Belmont City Council
February 10, 2026

Belmont City Council Presentation
February 10, 2026
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Our Applicant Speakers
• Neil Tuch,
• Head of School, Charles Armstrong School
• Sarah Knize
• Associate Principal and K-12 Academic Practice Leader, Ratcliff Architects • Kelly Sortino
• Head of School, Crystal Springs Upland School & Armstrong Board Trustee • Sammy Hetherington-Sand,
• Belmont Resident and 8th Grade Armstrong Student
• Mark Moore
• Chair of Armstrong Board of Trustees
4 Key Armstrong Facts
• Moved to current Belmont campus in 1984 (41 years ago) • Typically serve 230-250 students in grades 2 – 8
• 76 faculty and staff (12 live in Belmont/San Carlos)
• Approximately 30% of our students receive Tuition Assistance • Approximately 40% of Armstrong students identify as students of color • Our whole academic program is designed to serve the needs of students who learn differently and have often struggled in their prior schools • Small learning groups, particularly for reading and math • Highly trained and motivated faculty and staff
• Joyful learning environment
• Students feel understood by faculty and peers
• Focus on self-advocacy and resilience
5 Why is this project meaningful to Armstrong?
1) Space is Limiting Educational Program: Our space is limiting our ability to provide the best program for students with learning differences. 2) Expanding Programs that Build Student Confidence: Finding success in these strength-based programs gives students the energy and drive to meet challenges in other classes.
3) Providing Facilities Typical for K-8 Schools: Armstrong doesn’t have facilities many would consider typical for Elementary/Middle Schools. 6 Why is this project meaningful to Armstrong?
4) Designing for Dyslexia: New spaces are designed specifically to meet the needs of students with dyslexia.
5) More Lower School Students: Senate Bill 114 began mandatory testing of all K-2 public school students in CA for reading difficulties. 6) Serving More Middle School Students: We expect to turn away 10+ students for sixth grade this coming year because we don’t have the physical space to expand our Middle School student population. 7 Armstrong and Our Belmont Neighborhood
• Belmont is a thriving educational center
• 41 years in a safe and beautiful neighborhood
• Armstrong benefits from access to McDougal Park during school day • 175+ Belmont & San Carlos students have attended Armstrong • Dyslexia training for Belmont/Redwood Shores District • Additional parking for McDougal field users on our large blacktop to reduce neighborhood parking
• Playgrounds, basketball courts, covered picnic areas, walking/biking • Bathrooms near McDougal Park open for sports teams
• San Carlos neighbors create gates in our fences for special access • Commitment to McDougal Park improvements/Belmont use of gym 8 Sarah Knize
Associate Principal and K-12
Academic Practice Leader,
Ratcliff Architects
9 Campus Plan Design
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ATHLETICS BUILDING ROOFLINE - PREVIOUS ATHLETICS BUILDING ROOFLINE - DETAILED DEV. PLAN ATHLETICS BUILDING ROOFLINE - PREVIOUS ATHLETICS BUILDING ROOFLINE - DETAILED DEV. PLAN 14 15 TREE PLAN - PREVIOUS TREE PLAN - PROPOSED
16 Kelly Sortino
Head of School,
Crystal Springs Upland School
Armstrong Board Trustee
17 Sammy Hetherington-Sand
Belmont Resident
8th Grade Armstrong Student
18 Mark Moore
Chair, Armstrong Board
of Trustees
Alumni Parent (Patrick ‘21)
19 Thank you
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ATHLETICS BUILDING ROOFLINE – PUBLIC SCHOOL ENVELOPE
24 ATHLETICS BUILDING ROOFLINE – RESIDENTIAL ENVELOPE