As the number of alternative schools on the Island continues to boom, the Planning department received two new applications to change the use of existing facilities to small classrooms last week.

Government brought in new legislation governing home schools this summer which require that the facilities receive Planning and Health department approval for operation.

Elaine Samuels submitted an application for final approval on September 6 for a school she operates in her 58 Middle Road residence for children between the ages of five and 18 years.

According to her application, Ms Samuels intends to take no more than eight students in any given year.

For the current school year, she has seven students enrolled between the ages of nine and 16.

The school is operated between the hours of 8.40 a.m. and 2 p.m., she added, with all students vacating the property by 3 p.m.

A second application for a Christian school for 12 students was also submitted the same week.

Lisa Smith wrote to the Planning department that she would like to operate a Christian private school in conjunction with the Bermuda Christian Academy out of the St. Philip AME church hall on Harrington Sound Road in Hamilton parish.

"The name of the school is Vision Academy, it has 12 students currently enrolled," she wrote in her application. "The ages range from eight to 15 years old."

Ms Smith said the school operates between the hours of 8.45 a.m. and 2.45 p.m. and has been recognised by the AME School of Tomorrow in Lewisville, Texas.

"My aim is to help students, along with parents, to find a positive alternative (for) learning with success," she said.

Ms Smith's application for final approval was submitted on September 5.