WORCESTER — The building occupied by the Learning First Charter Public School sold last week for $1.8 million, months before the school is scheduled to move to a new location in the city.

The 65,000-square-foot brick building at 51 Gage St. was purchased Jan. 12 by Worcester-based nonprofit African Community Education, according to NAI Glickman Kovago & Jacobs, which facilitated the sale.

The building will be used for education and as an immigration resources center by the nonprofit, which works with African refugees and immigrant youth.

Kaska Yawo, founder of African Community Education, said the team is pleased to have a "stable" location.

"I'm more than excited," Yawo said. "I've been running around the city all the time, looking for a space. Currently, we're in three different locations and it's not easy for staff from one location driving to other locations. I'm very excited to have a stable place as our own space."

Learning First Charter Public School, formerly Seven Hills Charter School, will be moving to the former St. Mary’s Schools at 50 Richland St. in September.

Learning First paid around $4 million last year for the Richland Street site, which opened when the former St. Mary’s Schools closed last June.

After experiencing declining enrollments and financial challenges, St. Mary’s was forced to close although parents of students at the school objected to the school's shuttering.

More: Learning First Charter School moving to former St. Mary's building, plans major renovation

African Community Education will end its current lease at 484 Main St. and move into the Gage Street building when Learning First concludes the current school year, Yawo said.

"It makes me so happy as the founder," Yawo said. "I felt the dream of the organization has come true, and we will do more in the city in collaboration with other partners."

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: African Community Education buys Learning First charter school building in Worcester for $1.8M