New College Is $150 Million Gamble For Atlanta District

There will be plenty of items that set the new north atlanta secondary school building apart from others around georgia. other then chief among them will be the cost of building it. because we are part of a state wherein the average cost of the new college building is lower than $40 million, the atlanta secondary school carries a worth tag of nearly $150 million. 

It's led a few to complain exactly what they actually see just like a waste of public cash – particularly since the college went $50 million over budget. what will be the purpose of investing in such palatial digs to produce a district that's seeing a decline in student numbers ? 

Except for atlanta education officers this can be hardly only a building. remember this is a signal that the district is able to move on direct from cheating scandal that claimed the heads of 35 high-level workers – former superintendent among them – which it is additionally well positioned to compete against charter college alternatives within the town. 

“We utilize a special obligation here, ” aforesaid howard e. taylor, the new principal. “the district is digging from a historic crisis. ” 

He and alternative educators state that the new college building is an chance to indicate that a big, urban public secondary school might well be a viable various onto the rising tide of charter schools, voucher systems and private education. 

A few as to actually the 1, four hundred students who can attend the college this year originate from the wealthiest families within the region, other then others, mr. taylor aforesaid, are homeless. nearly half are black. concerning 27 % are white and 20 % are hispanic. they actually speak a little over 40 languages. 

“If there was ever a model to have an urban secondary school, this can be it, ” he aforesaid. 

Consistent with kim severson as to actually the new york times, taylor hopes that the new facilities can facilitate the college improve its dismal graduation rate of 61% last year. the building is stuffed onto the brim with modern facilities to assist staff and teachers reach that goal. direct from state as to actually the art technology labs to the rifle vary as well as a huge gymnasium, the college is missing nothing that may facilitate students improve academically. 

North atlanta high has even expanded its educational program, and can currently provide advanced placement, international studies and business courses. 

“Hopefully, the academics will certainly be as sensible like the building, ” aforesaid regine zuber, touring the college back with her daughter, amanda stevens, 14, today. 

Transforming a 1977 office building that once held concerning 5, 000 workers inside practical and safe secondary school designed to eventually hold 2, four hundred was challenging.

atlanta planners toured 2 high schools in new york town and studied alternative giant schools, other then nothing quite matched the down sides of the concrete edifice connected to wooded 56-acre plot of land.