With Atlanta Public Schools’ demographic studies and redistricting options being the heart of much debate lately, a questions that has not been answered clearly is Why are they doing this…what’s the point? So here is a quick explanation of the purpose for all of this which I think is important to talk about before diving into how different parts of Atlanta are directly affected by it
Atlanta Public Schools (APS) has been very good about making all of the information on their studies available to the public so I want to compliment them on that as this is an issue that not only effects parents and the children of the schools involved, but any homeowner or future homeowner, and really all of the businesses that rely on those residents in the area as customers and employees. Check out their site for detailed information on the APS 2011-2012 Demographic – Capacity Study.
So Why Now?
The study coincides with the release of the 2010 census data and much of the data used by the Demographers was gathered from the census. The census is done (as we all remember from elementary school) every 10 years so these plans and districts take into account the changes between 2000 and 2010, and the new districts aim to accommodate Atlanta Public Schools for the next 10 years. One main reason for the redistricting and the proposals laid out are the misalignments that have developed over the last decade between areas of growth and the location of schools in Atlanta. I saw one statistic that had APS capacity at 62,000 students while the average enrollment was around 49,000. So while some schools in certain areas are over crowded do to population growth, other schools are under-utilized. This is the main reason behind why APS needs to address this issue.
According to the Demographic Update presented by the Deputy Superintendent & Chief of Staff Steve Smith, there are 4 Purposes / Objectives of the study in the first place:
- Accommodate forecasted enrollment change
- Balance current capacity / school utilization
- Keep middle and feeder high school feeders intact
- Draw attendance zones that will be functional 10 years
The study started in May of 2011 and has a projected completion date when the Superintendent presents the Final Recommendations to the School Board in April of 2012.
Where are we now?
In late November and early December of 2011, the Demographers hired to conduct the study released the initial 4 options that they came up with for the Atlanta Public School system. Here is their Formal Summary of the Four Options.
As far as high school changes go, all 4 options include the construction of a new North Atlanta High School with a student capacity of 1800 students. In additions, all 4 options include Moving Sutton Middle School to the existing North Atlanta High School and then using the existing Sutton Middle School as a North Atlanta High School 9th grade center. Options 1 and 2 include closing King Middle School (located on Hill street just West of Grant Park) and redistricting those students to surrounding middle schools, while options 3 and 4 leave King MS alone and close Parks Middle School which is located southwest of Turner Field.
Options 1, 2 and 3 include expanding Morris Brandon ES, Mary Lin ES and Rivers ES to add more seats. Options 3 and 4 recommend building a new “Mid-town / North Atlanta” Elementary school to accommodate 648 students.
The redistricting lines are a main reason that parents and homeowners are up in arms about how the different options will effect where their children go. To view the proposed maps for each option, go the APS Website and download them. I will be breaking down in separate articles going forward how the different schools in the Buckhead and Intown areas are affected so stay tuned. The next round of meetings that will be incorporating some of the initial feedback into the options will be conducted January 30th – February 2nd which is where it is expected that they will revise their proposals and come up with 2 – 3 options, down from 4.
Acronyms You Need To know to read these reports
APS – Atlanta Public Schools
SRT – School Reform Team – Atlanta Public schools is divided up into 4 School Reform Teams referred to as SRT1, SRT2, SRT3 and SRT4 and they are comprised of geographically aligned elementary and middle schools. View a Map of where the SRTs are in Atlanta
ES – Elementary School
MS – Middle School
HS – High School