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Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Ron Clark’s School Of Fun
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I just got back from a whirlwind morning at the new Ron Clark Academy, where 60 lucky fifth- and sixth-graders are starting their first day of classes.
To say Clark’s school, which includes a secret passageway straight out of “Scooby-Doo,” and today’s opening ceremonies — punctuated by a 100-piece high school band — are over the top would be an understatement.
But that’s the whole point.
Anyone who’s seen Clark on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” caught “The Ron Clark Story” on TNT or read his book, “The Essential 55,” knows — for all his wackiness — he’s very serious about teaching.
Clark told me he’s long dreamed about opening a school where enthusiasm, creativity, respect and discipline were the marks of every classroom. When families in metro Atlanta learned that he would be building his private $14,000-a-year school here, 360 applied.
I was skeptical of the stories I was hearing about the school. It all sounded too great to be true. But, so far, Clark’s delivered. I mean, has anyone ever heard of having a two-story, covered slide inside a school?
The campus is not only a child’s, but an educator’s dream. Every classroom is outfitted with the latest technology. Promethean boards abound. In fact, he’s set up his own classroom so that other teachers (from anywhere in the world) can come observe the method in his madness.
Of course, now that students are actually attending, the true test is just beginning. So I wonder: Will Clark be able to repeat his past successes?
UPDATE: AJC columnist Rick Badie’s son was one of the select few who got into the school. If you’re interested, check out what Badie had to say about the campus in his column last month.
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