Current Programs and Projects
Transforming all of our schools into safe, stimulating environments conducive to learning will require long-term commitment from the school system and the entire community. Georgia’s Quality Basic Education Act (QBE) requires local school systems to prepare a local facilities plan in order to identify proposed improvements that would involve the renovation, modernization, and/or construction of school facilities. QBE establishes minimum enrollment standards for all elementary, middle and high schools. School systems must meet the standards to be eligible to receive funding for needed physical improvements.
Local facilities plans are five-year plans and are the basis for applications to the State for school construction funds. The Atlanta Board of Education’s most recent State (Georgia Department Education) approved plan covers the period July 1, l998 through June 30, 2002. Two major categories of facilities needs are addressed in the plan presented to the state: (l) renovation and modernization of existing buildings, and (2) construction of additions and new facilities to meet increased student enrollments. The State does not necessarily provide reimbursement for all identified needs of a school system.
Community Technology Initiative - Community Cyber Centers
The City and APS are developing an information-technology strategy to increase access to computers, appropriate training, and resources to prepare central city youths to work and play in the 21st Century. The City has received an $8.1 million grant to develop a series of community technology centers, where citizens can access the Internet and receive training. The City established the Mayor's Office of Community Technology (MOCT) in 2000 and appointed a blue ribbon committee of top corporate and educational leaders to assist with the planning. MOCT conducted a community needs and resources assessment. The resources assessment afforded the City the opportunity to study best practices and develop a program that strengthens what already exists in the community and fills the void of what is needed. MOCT opened its first technology center in June of 2000. By the end of the year five centers were in operation. Fifteen centers now exist, where more than 12,000 students have trained.
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CyberCenterHeadquarters |
AtlantaPublic Library |
BenHill Recreation Center |
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BessieBranham Recreation Center |
Capitol Homes |
Collier Heights Recreation Center |
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DunbarCommunity Center |
E-LearningCenter |
JohnBirdine |
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MorrisBrown |
Oakland |
Southeast |
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Westside Whitehead YMCA |
GrovePark Recreation Center |
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COMPREHENSIVE MASTER PLAN - BUILD SMART PROJECT
The Atlanta Public Schools (APS) has established a strategic plan for improving student performance, including whole school reform, annual performance targets and accountability measures. In support of this plan, the system has embarked upon a facilities plan (the Build Smart Project) for renovation/construction to all instructional facilities, with the goal of creating positive learning environments for every child in the system, either in a new or completely renovated facility. A parallel goal is to reduce ongoing operations and maintenance expenses through more efficient use of existing and proposed facilities.
Under this current local facilities plan, the Atlanta School Board has moved to renovate or construct new schools that are conducive to learning and to meet the changing demographics of communities within the City. The current facilities plan outlines a projected $323 million in expenditures for renovations and construction projects. Between 1998 and 2001 the system had completed more than $140 million worth of projects, including approximately 27 renovation and new constructions projects.
In 2000 the Board selected a consultant to develop a Comprehensive Master Plan. This comprehensive facilities plan projects all of the district’s needs over a five-year period. The APS, consistent with the plan, has established a strategic plan for improving student performance including whole school reform, annual performance targets and accountability measures. A parallel goal is to reduce ongoing operations and maintenance expenses through more efficient use of existing and proposed facilities. The effort is being guided by the mission to provide neighborhood-based elementary schools, small classes and small schools, accommodations for comprehensive instructional programs including art, music, foreign language and physical education and increasing non-traditional programs for both gifted and challenged students.
The system has undertaken significant capital investments over the last ten years, including the Certificate of Participation for School (COPS) Program, Bond Program and the current Special Purpose Local Sales Tax (SPLOST) Program. Under the direction of APS Construction Management, renovation/new construction work has accelerated during the last five years. As a result of this effort and previous efforts, over 34 projects have been completed since 1995, including several new/reconstructed schools with another 22 facilities presently in design or under construction.
The Build Smart Project launches a more comprehensive framework for completing facility improvements and achieving the systems goals over the next five years, with built-in flexibility to accommodate inevitable change and respond to financial consideration. The system is aggressively striving to touch every school facility to accomplish the renovation/construction work necessary to support the system’s planned program of instruction in first-class facilities outfitted for the 21st century. This work is a parallel effort to the system’s ongoing capital improvement programs of maintenance and repair.
APS has continued to be involved in statewide education reform associated with the Governor’s Reform Act. The recently passed legislation includes funding ratios and maximum classroom size standards for all levels of K-12 schools. While APS believes the new state standards are consistent with APS standard established in the Build Smart Project, the Georgia Department of Education will soon make final recommendations on how to carry out classroom size mandates within each school district. Final definition of the State’s class-room size mandate is not expected to have significant affects on the recommendations for elementary and middle schools, but it may necessitate further study of high school facilities.
The most recent recommendation (Winter 2001) in support of the long- range goals and plans of the school district are estimated to cost approximately $510 million. These costs represent a continuation of the current program pending additional dollars being made available over the next five years.
Table 16.5 ‘Long Term Recommendations for the Atlanta Public School System’ details the school-by-school long-range recommendations (per Build Smart) for operating school facilities over the next five years.
The information in the “Recommendations” column represents the original recommendations associated with the Build Smart Plan. An amended version has been adopted. Recommendations having a notation of “hold,” “void,” etc. indicate that further study is underway.
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Elementary Schools |
Recommendations |
Monitor |
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A * in the “Monitor” column indicates that the Planning Team would recommend continuing to monitor and study certain school zones where dynamic change affecting population is occurring. |
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Adamsville |
Renovation/construction is planned to begin this summer. The school presently loses some students through the administrative transfer. To avoid potential overcrowding, it is recommended that a portion of the current attendance zone be modified to redistrict some students to surrounding schools. |
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Anderson Park |
The recommendation is to consolidate Anderson Park ES with surrounding elementary schools (Collier Heights, F.L. Stanton, Peyton Forest and White ES.) An addition to F.L. Stanton ES and the move of Collier Heights to the Usher MS site would be necessary to accomplish this move. The site should be retained for possible future growth and may be considered as a site for a Pre-K Center. The large site could also be utilized for a relocation site. HOLD |
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Arkwright |
The recommendation is to build a new school for the Ragsdale and Arkwright communities. It is recommended that a Siting Commission be formed to study the best possible location for the new school. |
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Beecher Hills |
Renovations are recently completed. The school's site presents significant challenges for expansion. The only recommendation for the school is to slightly enlarge its attendance zone. |
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Benteen |
Additional instructional space is needed. Site constraints limit future expansion possibilities. |
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Bethune |
The school has recently been renovated/reconstructed. The recommendation is to enlarge the school's attendance zone to include all of the Vine City neighborhood, including the new Magnolia Park |
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Blalock |
Renovation of the school is planned to begin in Fall, 2000. Some slight redistricting may be necessary to reduce overcrowding. |
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Boyd |
The school needs to be renovated. Its attendance zone is also recommended to be altered, both to reduce overcrowding of in-zone students and in conjunction with other zone changes in the northwest area |
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Brandon |
The school has been recently renovated. Recommend an addition to accommodate a portion of the Mitchell students and to accommodate growth in the area. |
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Burgess |
The area around East Atlanta is undergoing significant change. The recommendation is to continue to monitor school age populations in the area over the next couple of years. At that point, a decision can be made on possible consolidation of the school with Peterson. In any event, additions are needed to accommodate the instructional program. |
* |
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Campbell |
The recommendation is to consolidate Campbell and Slater in an expanded building on the Slater site. The City and Housing Authority have plans to develop additional housing along Pryor Road. Due to recent investment, the site may be considered as a location for a Pre-K Center. |
* |
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Capitol View |
An addition to Capitol View is recommended to accommodate the ideal instructional program and to help alleviate some overcrowding at Gideons and Perkerson. |
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Middle Schools |
Recommendations |
Monitor |
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Brown |
The recommendation is to expand the attendance zone for Brown MS |
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Bunche |
Renovations and expansion are needed |
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Coan |
The school is in need of renovation. Some students would be redistricted to Coan from the consolidation of Marshall MS. (VOID) |
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Collier Heights |
The recommendation is to move Collier Heights to Usher MS and Usher MS to Harper-Archer HS. Renovations would be made to the current Usher facility to accommodate an elementary school. |
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Connally |
The school is presently under renovation/reconstruction. The recommendation is to redistrict some students to the new school constructed for Arkwright/Ragsdale to reduce overcrowding |
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Continental Colony |
Redistrict after new Southwest ES is constructed to reduce overcrowding |
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Cook |
The school has recently been reconstructed. No significant changes are recommended. Possible redevelopment of Capitol Homes will need to be monitored. Review possibility of Hubert consolidating with Cook instead of Hope due to revitalization efforts |
* |
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Dobbs |
The recommendation is to build a new school west of the existing school site at the old Fulton HS. Site. The existing site may be considered as a Pre-K Center |
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Drew |
A new school charter school, serving K-8, is planned to open in 2001. The school is being built by the East Lake Community Foundation, in partnership with APS |
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Dunbar |
No significant changes recommended. Renovations are needed |
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East Lake |
The recommendation is to monitor enrollment at the school after the opening of the new Drew ES/MS. If enrollment declines significantly, the school may be considered for conversion to a Pre-K Center. Over the long term, the area around East Lake (Drew/Toomer/Whitefoord) will need to watched for new housing growth |
* |
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Fain |
The only recommendation is to redistrict the school to reduce overcrowding. |
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Fickett |
Redistrict after new Southwest ES is constructed to reduce overcrowding and eliminate portable classrooms |
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Garden Hills |
School renovation/addition will begin this year. No significant changes are recommended in the short-term. |
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Gideons |
School renovations will be complete this year. Some redistricting is needed to alleviate overcrowding. |
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Grove Park |
Currently, the school is under renovation. No significant changes recommended. |
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Guice |
The recommendation is to consolidate Guice with Slaton-West ES. The existing building at Guice has been recently renovated and may be considered for the location of a new Pre-K Center |
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Herndon |
Given the inability to secure a school site in the Atlantic Steel project, Herndon ES is needed over the long-term. The recommendation is to construct a new school at the present site |
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Hill |
No significant changes recommended. Additions are presently under construction. |
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Hope |
The recommendation is to renovate and expand Hope in partnership with the City of Atlanta's planned new community center adjacent to the Hope site. New housing growth around Old Fourth Ward will need to be monitored. Hubert ES will be consolidated with Hope if enrollments continue to decline |
* |
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Howell |
To alleviate overcrowding at Cleveland ES, students need to be rezoned to Humphries and students from Humphries ES rezoned to Howell ES. This would require Howell ES to be constructed as a new school to accommodate 600 students |
* |
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Hubert |
Original recommendation was to consolidate Hubert and Hope ES at an expanded school on the Hope site. The area of Cabbagetown and Reynoldstown will need to be monitored for future growth, and the existing Hubert site should be retained for possible future needs. It may be considered as a site for a Pre-K Center. Possible consolidation with Cook instead of Hope |
* |
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Humphries |
To alleviate overcrowding at Cleveland ES, students need to be rezoned to Humphries and students from Humphries ES rezoned to the new/renovated Howell ES that will accommodate 600 students. A tremendous amount of multi-family renovation is occurring in this area. Small Classroom addition is recommended. |
* |
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Hutchinson |
An addition is needed to eliminate portable classrooms |
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Inman |
The school needs renovations and an expansion. Site challenges are significant. Some students will be redistricted from the consolidation of Walden MS. Administrative transfers will need to be monitored. (Hold) |
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Jackson |
The school was recently renovated. Need to eliminate “dual zone” with Mitchell ES. Increased building activity in this area. Recommend an addition to accommodate intent to “capture” increased population. Site constraints make any addition difficult. |
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Kennedy |
School renovations are presently under design. Attendance zone modifications would be necessary related to proposed feeder patterns. (HOLD) |
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Kimberly |
Redistrict after new Southwest ES is constructed to reduce overcrowding |
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King |
School renovations/expansions are needed. Some students would be redistricted to King from the consolidation of Marshall MS. Some additional students will be redistricted from the consolidation of Walden MS |
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Lakewood |
The recommendation is to continue monitoring Lakewood ES while the new Dobbs ES is under construction, particularly given current redevelopment activities in the area. The school may be considered for consolidation with Dobbs if enrollment numbers would allow. Otherwise, the school needs to be renovated and expanded, possibly by purchasing additional land adjacent to the current school |
* |
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Lin |
No significant changes recommended. The school is difficult to expand due to site constraints presented by Freedom Park. |
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Long |
Renovations and expansion are needed. |
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MA Jones |
The recommendation is to consolidate the enrollments of Jones ES and Rusk ES at a renovated and expanded school on the Jones site. While excess capacity exists in the area today, there is some uncertainty on the future number of children once AHA’s redevelopment of Magnolia Park (Bethune ES), Village at Castleberry (Oglethorpe ES) and Harris Homes (Jones ES) is complete |
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Marshall |
Consolidate Marshall MS with Coan, King and Price MS. In the short term, beginning in Fall 2000, the school could function as temporary home for Price MS while the new school is reconstructed at Price. |
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McGill |
The recommendation is to reconstruct McGill ES on its present site. In addition, it is recommended that the school’s attendance zone be expanded by including the entire Grant Park neighborhood within a non-traditional zone that allows for choice between McGill and Slaton-West ES. The surrounding neighborhoods are undergoing significant change which will need to be monitored |
* |
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Miles |
The school needs renovation and some additions. Design work has just begun. |
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Mitchell |
The recommendation is to consolidate Mitchell and Pitts ES at a new school. A Siting Commission should be formed to look at possible locations. |
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Morningside |
No significant changes recommended. While capacity exists at both Centennial and Morningside presently, several thousand housing units are planned for Atlantic Steel and Midtown over the next ten years. The recommendation is to begin to secure a possible future school site in the Midtown area |
* |
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Northwest (new) |
A new middle school is recommended for Northwest Atlanta. A Siting Commission should be formed to determine the best location of several possibilities. |
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Oglethorpe |
The recommendation is to expand the school’s attendance zone to include the new Villages at Castleberry Hill. |
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Parks |
Convert Parks MS to a Non-Traditional Middle School Program and to co-join its zone with Sylvan MS and Brown MS |
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Perkerson |
Some students may need to be redistricted to Capitol View to reduce overcrowding. |
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Peterson |
The area around East Atlanta is undergoing significant change. The recommendation is to continue to monitor school age populations in the area over the next couple of years. At that point, a decision can be made on possible consolidation with Burgess at the Burgess site. In the absence of a consolidation, additions are needed to accommodate the instructional program |
* |
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Peyton Forest |
Attendance zone modifications may be necessary in conjunction with consolidation of Anderson Park and changes to surrounding school attendance zones |
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Pitts |
The recommendation is to consolidate Pitts and Mitchell ES at a new school. A Siting Commission should be formed to look at possible locations. |
* |
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Price |
The school will be reconstructed in June (2003?). Some redistricting will be necessary, particularly related to the closure of Marshall MS and the proposed feeder patterns |
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Ragsdale |
The recommendation is to build a new school for the Ragsdale and Arkwright communities. A Siting Commission should be charged to find the best location. One consideration would be to reconstruct on the Ragsdale site, which would require APS to purchase additional land |
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Rivers |
No significant changes recommended |
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Rusk |
The recommendation is to consolidate the enrollments of Rusk ES and Jones ES at a renovated and expanded school on the Jones site. While excess capacity exists in the area today, there is some uncertainty on the future number of children once AHA’s redevelopment of Magnolia Park (Bethune ES), Village at Castleberry (Oglethorpe ES) and Harris Homes (Jones ES) is complete |
* |
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Scott |
The school is finishing renovations/reconstruction. No significant changes are recommended |
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Slater |
The recommendation is to consolidate Slater ES and Campbell ES on the Slater site. Slater will need to be expanded. The City and Housing Authority have plans to develop additional housing along Pryor Road. |
* |
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Slaton/ West |
The new school is planned to open in Fall 2001. Attendance zone modification will be necessary related to D.H. Stanton, Benteen and McGill to better align with neighborhood boundaries and to accommodate consolidation of Guice ES. A non-traditional zone is recommended for the Grant Park neighborhood that allows for choice between McGill and Slaton/West |
* |
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Smith |
It is recommended that the Smith ES will need to be monitored for population changes over the next several years. Some students may need to be redistricted to reduce overcrowding. Cafeteria needs to be expanded. |
* |
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Southwest (new) |
New school to be constructed in southwest Atlanta to relieve overcrowding at Continental Colony, Fickett and Kimberly. A Siting Commission is recommended to determine the best location, preferably south of Campbellton Road. One possible location is the Ben Hill Community Center site. |
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Stanton DH |
Some redistricting will be necessary to reduce overcrowding and align with neighborhood boundaries. Most redistricting will be to Slaton/West. School is currently under renovation |
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Stanton FL |
Although renovations are just being completed, additional space will need to be added to the school to support consolidation of Anderson Park ES. |
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Sutton |
No significant changes recommended. Some renovations/new construction is needed. |
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Sylvan |
Expand the attendance zone. Additions may be needed. |
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Thomasville |
Renovations/new additions will be begin this year. No other significant changes are recommended. |
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Toomer |
Redistricting associated with East Lake and Whitefoord may be necessary. The surrounding neighborhood of Kirkwood should be monitored |
* |
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Towns |
Some slight redistricting may be needed associated with surrounding attendance zones. |
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Turner |
Attendance Zone modifications will be necessary related to changes in surrounding schools and the proposed feeder patterns. |
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Usher |
Move Collier Heights ES to Usher MS and Usher MS to Harper-Archer HS. The Harper-Archer building would be renovated ot accommodate a middle school population. |
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Venetian Hills |
Additions to the school are underway. Some students may need to be redistricted to Cascade to reduce potential overcrowding |
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Walden |
Consolidate Walden MS with Inman MS and King MS. The school is recommended as the site of a non-traditional middle school VOID |
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Waters |
The school was recently renovated. Some redistricting with surrounding schools may be necessary to reduce overcrowding |
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West Fulton |
No significant changes. Renovations are needed. |
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West Manor |
Although current renovations are near completion, additional space will be needed to bring the school up to standard size and possibly aid in reducing overcrowding at Adamsville. Future additions will be difficult design challenges |
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White |
A portion of students from Anderson Park ES would be redistricted to White ES |
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Whitefoord |
Some redistricting to surrounding elementary schools may be necessary to reduce overcrowding. The surrounding neighborhood should be monitored for future growth |
* |
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Williams |
Some redistricting will be necessary in conjunction with other attendance zone modifications in the northwest area |
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Woodson |
Some redistricting may be necessary to achieve an adequate in-zone population |
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Young |
Attendance zone modifications will be necessary to create feeder patterns. Renovations/additions are needed. |
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High Schools |
Recommendations |
Monitor |
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Carver |
Due to inherent site assets and strategic location, the recommendation is to reconstitute and reconstruct Carver HS. The attendance zone will be expanded. The high school would remain on site during reconstruction. HOLD |
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Crim |
The recommendation is to consolidate Crim HS with Grady and Southside HS over a period of four years. It is recommended that the existing building be converted to a Non-Traditional High School. VOID |
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Douglass |
Attendance zone modifications will be made necessary by feeder patterns. Renovations are needed |
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Grady |
Renovations and expansion are recommended. Site constraints are challenging. Renovations should receive a high priority. It is recommended that the attendance zone be expanded to include part of Coan MS. |
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Harper-Archer |
The recommendation is to consolidate Harper-Archer HS with its surrounding high schools in order to convert the existing facility into Usher MS. The students at Harper Archer would be consolidated with Douglass, Mays and North Atlanta HS. VOID |
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Mays |
The recommendation is to redistrict some students from Harper-Archer HS to Mays. Attendance zone modifications will be necessary related to proposed feeder patterns. Some renovations are needed. VOID |
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North Atlanta |
Some minor renovations are needed. The recommendation is to redistrict some students from Harper-Archer HS to North Atlanta. (VOID) |
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South Atlanta |
No significant changes recommended other than aligning the school's attendance zone with proposed feeder patterns. Some minor renovations are needed. |
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Southside |
Southside would receive students from Crim HS. (VOID) Other attendance zone modifications may be necessary related to proposed feeder patterns. (HOLD) Some renovations are needed. |
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Therrell |
No significant changes recommended. Some renovations are needed |
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Washington |
Major renovations are needed. Attendance zone modifications will be made necessary by feeder patterns. |
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Summary of The State of Georgia’s “Education Reform Act of 2000”
HB 1187 – “A Plus Education Reform Act of 2000” provides for comprehensive reform in the delivery of education services in the state of Georgia at the pre-kindergarten, elementary and secondary and post secondary levels. Some of the Act’s highlights are:
- Smaller class size
- More local control through school councils.
House Bill 656 passed by the 2001 Georgia General Assembly amends the Education Reform Act of 2000. It establishes the “Georgia Academic Placement and Promotion Policy”, ending social promotion. The Act’s provisions require students to pass a Criterion Reference Competency Test (CRCT) before being promoted to the next grade. The state policy will require that students who do not meet the passing standard the first time be allowed to take the CRCT a second time. If a child is retained, the parents will have the opportunity to appeal the decision. An appeals process will be provided and a promotion/retention committee, comprised of the principal or his/her designee, teacher and parent will be appointed. The policy will be implemented statewide as follows:
- Grade 3 Year 2003-2004
- Grade 5 Year 2004-2005
- Grade 8 Year 2005-2006
The Education Reform Act of 2000:
- Requires that schools identify students who are determined to be at risk for failing behind in grades kindergarten - fifth grade at the beginning of the school year and monitor their progress throughout the year.
- Does not allow students to be promoted from grade third to grade fourth without being able to read at grade level as determined by the CRCT.
- Does not allow students to be promoted from grade fifth to grade six without being at grade level in reading and math as determined by CRCT.
- Does not allow student to be promoted from grade eight to grade nine without scoring at grade level in reading and math as determined by CRCT.
- Requires notification to parents via first class mail when a student is not to be promoted. Parents will receive extra assistant as they prepare the child to re-take the test.
- Extends the day program to include grades six through twelfth
- Set up a commission to study ways to improve the academic performance of at-risk, usually low income and minority students.