Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Erroll B. Davis Jr. is expected to make a recommendation to board of education next month on one of three plans that would create one or possibly three K-8 schools in Southeast Atlanta.
APS could bring the K-8 model to Burgess-Peterson Academy in East Atlanta, Toomer Elementary in Kirkwood and Whitefoord Elementary in Edgewood, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution report.
An alternative scenario could combine all three schools — currently K-5 — into one K-8 institution, the AJC reported, adding parents are meeting this month.
The move comes amid a push by parents across the affected neighborhoods to get the K-8 model to better compete for students and keep them.
All three elementary schools faced closure or consolidation when the district embarked on its redistricting plan in 2012 in part because they were all under-enrolled.
Though they all staved off closures, they still compete for pupils with area charter schools that are K-8, such as Drew in East Lake, Atlanta Neighborhood Charter in Grant Park and Ormewood Park and Wesley International in Capitol Gateway.
If all three schools combine, Coan Middle School would close.
Ironically, Coan opened in 1967 as the first middle school to open in the state.
What do you think of the possibility of converting one or more of those schools from K-5 to K-8? Tell us in the comment section below.
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