The state charter school that was started by the city of Brookhaven has set its first day of school as Aug. 2 with several preliminary activities slated.
The school, located in Norcross, will be a kindergarten through sixth grade school its first year and has 420 enrolled students for the 2016-2017 year, according to school reports.
Upcoming events:
Thursday, July 28 – Meet the teachers event at the school from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Saturday, July 30 – 9 a.m. – Carpool practice at the school for parents and teachers
Tuesday, Aug. 2 – First day of school
The school has 27 faculty members hired:
1 Head of School
1 Assistant Principal
21 grade level teachers
1 special education
1 music
1 ESOL
1 PE
Background of the teachers:
10 earned master’s degrees
7 master’s degrees in progress
2 doctorate degrees
5 with post secondary (college) work experience
7 with experience teaching abroad
2 with Teach for America Experience
137 years of total teaching experience
Average of 5 years of teaching experience
An attempt to raise funds for a busing program for students fell short over the summer. A total of $250,000 was needed to fund a busing program, but with BIA’s budgeted allocation of $85,000 plus the $24,645 raised by parents, the goal fell short of what was needed.
Instead, school officials are organizing carpool options for families to locate and connect with other students living nearby, according to a school email. One way for parents to find other families to carpool with is by using the “Pool to School” app at https://www.pooltoschoolga.com/sp/Home/Welcome.
The BIA board will consider reallocating the $85,000 to fund technology, teacher training/hiring, and facilities.
Students attending BIA are coming from McDonough, Stone Mountain, South Atlanta, Brookhaven and North Buckhead, according to school officials.
Build-out of the school is ongoing and nearly complete. The school has posted photos of its progress on its website.
