POULSBO — West Sound Academy’s plans for a new dormitory for international students has been approved by the city of Poulsbo.

Poulsbo’s hearing examiner approved a conditional use permit for the property at 418 NE Viewmont Drive in January. The property is owned by the First Lutheran Church of Poulsbo, but will now be used to house international students attending the West Sound Academy. The house was formerly a parsonage house for the church.

The house built in 1978 will be converted into a dormitory that will hold up to 12 students and two staff who will live on site.

No major alterations will be made to the 3,820-square-foot house, rather, the approval simply allows for the use as a dormitory. Upgrades to the deck and railings of the home will be made, however.

The students will not be able to have their own cars at the house, but staff will drive them to and from the academy.

Approximately 20 percent of West Sound Academy’s students are international, according to the conditional use application.

The academy already operates one dormitory on Hostmark Street in Poulsbo that is home to 10 international students. That dorm, the Murphy House, has been in use for five years.