So the Dallas-based developer sold school officials a 15-acre parcel at an undisclosed price. Local area land brokers, however, tell GlobeSt.com on condition of anonymity the dirt is valued at about $70,000 per acre or $1.05 million.

The $7 million development cost comprises the land, construction costs and startup fee for furniture, fixtures and equipment. The school, offering classes from kindergarten through the eighth grade, plans to open in August 2002.

Local general contractor McCree Construction plans to break ground on the 68,200-sf project in January. The site is at Terra Vista and Tacon Drives in the Vistas neighborhood of Hunter's Creek. The community has an estimated permanent population of 20,000.