The Future School of Fort Smith has received some big help to aid in its expansion project. Dwight Curry has donated $1 million towards the school’s building fund, said Trish Flanagan, chief growth officer for the Future School and the founder/CEO of Think Future.

Curry is a Fort Smith businessman and founder of Dream Alliance, a Fort Smith-based philanthropic group working to support innovation in community-centered services for local residents.

Founded in 2016, Future School of Fort Smith is a tuition-free, public charter high school centered on a personalized approach to learning via student-designed internships, personalized learning plans, and an advisor for each student. It serves students in grades 10-12.

The school began with 45 students and has about 220 enrolled now. The school is looking to expand its building on North Seventh Street, a project it hopes to complete for the 2021-2022 school year, Superintendent Boyd Logan has previously said. The bulk of funding for the school comes from the state, which is about $7,000 per student.

“We are just so thankful for Dwight’s support and the support of others. This type of support shows us that what we are doing here (at the Future School) is important for our community, the workforce and most importantly, our students,” Flanagan told Talk Business & Politics. “This not only allows us to build a place for our students, it validates our innovative ideas and says what we are doing is highly in demand.”

Talk Business and Politic will give more details on the building expansion and building fund after the Future School Board meets Tuesday (Jan. 21). The board meets at 5:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of every month in room 2 of the school, 622 N. Seventh St.

The school does receive state funding but does not receive any monies from local millage. In July 2017, the school secured a $600,000 matching grant from the Siloam Springs-based Windgate Foundation.