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Our 10th elementary school is currently under construction on the Innovation Campus on Austin Road and will open to students in August 2023.
School and district leaders discussed ideas for the new school with the School Governance Teams (SGTs) at each school in the Apalachee Cluster. A survey was then sent to families and staff in the AHS Cluster to get feedback on two options. They are detailed below in no particular order.
Traditional Option: New K-5 Elementary School
The new elementary school would become the 10th elementary school with students from Pre-K or Kindergarten to 5th grade. Students would be rezoned from Auburn, Bethlehem, Kennedy, and Yargo Elementary Schools. When rezoning, approximately 250-300 students (K-5) from each school would attend a different elementary, but not necessarily the new school. (For example, students from Auburn ES may shift to attend Kennedy ES, while students from Bethlehem ES may shift to the new school.)
Rezoning elementary schools also affects middle school district lines. Each elementary school would feed one middle school.
Considerations for this option:
- Families with elementary children in multiple grades would continue to attend school in the same building.
- Students would have the minimum transportation time to school.
- The rezoning would affect all elementary and middle schools in the Apalachee Cluster to some degree.
- Teachers and staff of all grades may be shifted to other schools as well.
Alternative Option: New Elementary Academy for Grades 4 & 5
All fourth and fifth-grade students from Bethlehem, Kennedy, and Yargo Elementary Schools would attend the new school on the Innovation Campus together. (Auburn ES would have a separate 4-5 Academy on its existing campus. They would not move to the new school). Grades K-3 would remain on their zoned campus. Transportation would be provided (and 4-5 students would not be mixed with older children on buses).
Considerations for this option:
- Middle and high schools would not require rezoning.
- Creates the ability to focus on the instructional and developmental needs of K-3 and 4-5 students independently.
- 4th and 5th graders would remain together and not be separated from their peers.
- Transportation times for students in 4th and 5th grade may be longer.
- Younger students would remain in their familiar schools.
- 4th and 5th grade teachers will be shifted to the new school.
- Similar academies have been successful in Oconee County, Jefferson City, and Buford City.
- Auburn ES would have a separate 4-5 Academy on its existing campus. They would not move to the new school.
INFORMATION SESSIONS:
We will host information sessions the week of October 17. Our Board of Education and district leaders will be prepared to share answers and engage in additional discussion. Families can attend in person or watch live on the BCSS YouTube channel.
Monday, Oct. 17 | 6-7pm | Auburn Elementary - Add to Calendar
Tuesday, Oct. 18 | 6-7pm | Bethlehem Elementary - Add to Calendar
Wednesday, Oct. 19 | 6-7pm | Yargo Elementary - Add to Calendar
Thursday, Oct. 20 | 6-7pm | Kennedy Elementary - Add to Calendar
The same information will be presented at each session. Spanish translation will be available in person at each session.