Clayton County mourns student’s death

Clayton County Public Schools is mourning after a student at Elite Scholars Academy died Tuesday, according to the superintendent.

“We are very saddened by the loss of one of our students this evening,” Morcease Beasley said in a statement. “The school district is here to support the family of the student and all staff and student body.”

Beasley’s note added that grief counselors and a crisis team would be at the school Wednesday.

Clayton County firefighters responded to a call from the school Tuesday afternoon, which was the hottest day in Atlanta in three years. The city hit 100 degrees, tying the record for the highest recorded temperature.

RELATED: Atlanta breaks 100-degree mark, tying record

According to Battalion Chief Laura Richardson, a 16-year-old girl suffered cardiac arrest and was taken to Southern Regional Medical Center.

The student’s name and other details were not released. Channel 2 Action News, however, described the teen as an athlete who was outside practicing. She was running when she collapsed around 4:30 p.m., the news station reported.

Elite Scholars Academy was established in 2009 as a public charter school. In July 2016, it became an early college magnet. The school moved into a $22 million facility on Fielder Road in 2017.

It houses about 700 students in grades 6 through 12 and features a digital animation lab and a business service lab, as well as athletic facilities, such as a gymnasium, tennis court, soccer field and track.

—Please return to AJC.com for updates.