Frankie Lemmon School Secures Future Raleigh Campus to Expand Services for Children and Families

Frankie Lemmon School and Foundation has acquired a two-building campus at 4401 and 4501 Atlantic Avenue in Raleigh that will serve as the organization's future home, positioning the nonprofit to expand educational and therapeutic services for children with disabilities and their families across Wake County and surrounding communities.

Founded over 60 years ago, Frankie Lemmon School has been a cornerstone of specialized and inclusive education in Raleigh, providing individualized learning opportunities and support services for children with disabilities. The acquisition marks a significant milestone in the organization's history and lays the foundation for its next chapter of growth as demand for specialized educational resources continues to rise throughout the region.

Currently operating from a 17,893-sq.-ft. facility in East Raleigh, Frankie Lemmon plans to relocate to a two-building, 114,781-sq.-ft. campus on Atlantic Avenue. The future campus will provide space for Frankie Lemmon School, Lemmon Tree Academy and the Frankie Lemmon Foundation, creating a unified environment designed to serve students from early childhood through high school while enhancing support for families and expanding opportunities for community partnerships. The $26.5 million Expanding Possibilities fundraising campaign is underway, led by the volunteer Board of Directors and capital campaign committee. Plans call for construction and renovation work to begin in 2027, with the campus expected to open for preschool and grade school in fall 2028.

"Expanding Frankie Lemmon School amplifies its impact not only for students, but for the entire community, serving as a model for what is possible when you meet a child where they are – in environments built around their strengths," said Marsha Hargette, Executive Director of Frankie Lemmon School and Foundation. "Our community is strongest when every individual is empowered to contribute."

Once completed, the new campus is expected to more than double the organization's student capacity, allowing Frankie Lemmon to serve more than 230 students and significantly expand access to specialized services. The campus will include purpose-built classrooms, therapy rooms, sensory spaces, family support areas and community gathering spaces. The expanded footprint will also create opportunities to collaborate with educators, healthcare providers, therapists and other organizations dedicated to supporting children with disabilities throughout the region.

CBRE's Clayton Collins, Chandler Hawkins and Harrison Benson represented Frankie Lemmon School and Foundation in the acquisition. Jane Doggett and Patrick Blackley with Foundry Commercial represented the seller.

"We are grateful Frankie Lemmon trusted CBRE to help secure its future home," said Tom Fritsch, Senior Managing Director and Raleigh/Triad Market Leader, CBRE. "Representing a nonprofit of this caliber, whose work has such a meaningful impact on children and families in our community, is exactly the kind of assignment that matters most. We look forward to seeing this vision become a reality."

The campus expansion supports Frankie Lemmon's vision of increasing access to high-quality educational and therapeutic services while establishing a long-term home that can grow alongside the needs of the community. By bringing its programs together on a larger campus, the organization will be better positioned to serve more students, provide additional resources for families and further its mission of helping children reach their full potential.

About Frankie Lemmon Foundation

Frankie Lemmon School is a nonprofit leader in inclusive early childhood education serving children with and without developmental disabilities. Since 1965, the organization has provided exceptional educational, therapeutic, and family support services that help children develop the skills needed to succeed in school and in life.

The Frankie Lemmon Foundation supports the school's long-term growth and sustainability through charitable giving, community engagement, and capital investment initiatives, including efforts to expand access to services through a new state-of-the-art campus. Together, the School and Foundation are committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn, belong, and thrive. For more information about the Expanding Possibilities campaign or supporting the school, visit www.frankielemmonschool.org.