As part of consolidation and closures of small schools in the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) systems, APS is holding a series of public hearings on the future of the small-schools model in some APS high schools.
The closures and consolidation is part of a partial reversal of the High School Transformation Initiative, which in 2005 split four APS comprehensive high schools into several small schools, which were each focused on specific academic subjects. The expensive initiative, launched by former Superintendent Beverly Hall, began to be partially reversed in 2012 in order to mitigate the initiative’s expense.
In 2014, APS consolidated Booker T. Washington and D.M. Therrell high schools.
Next week, community members will meet to discuss the future of B.E.S.T. Academy at Benjamin S. Carson Middle and High Schools and Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy Middle and High Schools, which are both single-gender schools and may each be consolidated into 6-12th grade academies.
Additionally, D.M. Therrell High School, which is already operating as a consolidated school, South Atlanta High School and the New Schools at Carver will host their own public hearings on the future of the schools. If these schools are consolidating and closed, students in those schools would stay on the respective campuses and would be assigned to Carver or Carver Early College, South Atlanta or D.M. Therrell comprehensive high schools, according to the APS website.
With the consolidation and closures, APS would establish "an aligned parent teacher association and local school council structure to support the schools," as well as "provide for aligned staffing, academic resources, and teacher professional development to ensure that all student needs are met," according to the website.
The Atlanta Board of Education will vote on the proposed consolidation plan on April 13.
Public Hearings Schedule
B.E.S.T. Academy at Benjamin S. Carson Middle and High Schools: Tuesday, March 17, 6 p.m.
Plans are to absorb its middle and high schools to create a 6-12th grade academy.
Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy Middle and High Schools: Tuesday, March 17, 6 p.m.
Plans are to absorb its middle and high schools to create a 6-12th grade academy.
D.M. Therrell High School: Tuesday, March 17, 6 p.m.
Plans are to absorb the School of Technology, Engineering, Math and Science, the School of Health Sciences and Research and the School of Law, Government and Public Policy.
South Atlanta High School: Wednesday March 18, 6 p.m.
Plans are to absorb the School of Computer Animation and Design, the School of Health and Medical Sciences and the School of Law and Social Justice.
The New Schools at Carver: Thursday, March 19, 6 p.m.
Plans are to absorb the School of the Arts, the School of Health Sciences and Research and the School of Technology.
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