When school begins next month, getting to Ridgeview Charter Middle School won't be as easy as it has been for many Sandy Springs parents.

An extensive construction and renovation project at the school has caused district officials to close off a heavily used access road near the building until 2010. The closure will force some parents to drive an additional 3 miles to drop off their children.

The road is scheduled to reopen, once the construction project is finished, as the main entrance to the school.

The unnamed access road connects Baroque Circle, southwest of the school, to school property. Part of the road closest to the school has already been blocked, Fulton County Schools spokeswoman Susan Hale said.

"We have closed the gates that lead to our property from the access road," she said. "The road itself is not yet closed, but the closed gate restricts nonconstruction traffic from driving through the Ridgeview property. The contractor now has trailers and construction equipment on the site, so passage of cars must be restricted for everyone's safety."

During the two-year construction period, the only entrance to the school will be on Trimble Road.

Principal Karen Cox said about half of the school's 600 students ride the bus, leaving 300 students walking or riding in cars.

She said the school's 17 buses will use Trimble Road during the construction, as will any parents who drive their children to school.

 SHANNON PEAVY / Staff
HOW TO GET THERE
Map shows route getting to Ridgeview Charter Middle during an extensive construction and renovation project at the school. Inset map outlines area of detail near Atlanta.