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District officials focus on plans for K-8 schools By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmedia.com
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City paves way for private school Officials call relocation a win for Johns Creek BY TIFFANY MORGAN newsroom@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. –– Rousing applause erupted May 17 when the Johns Creek City Council approved a site on Johns Creek Parkway for the relocation and construction of Providence Christian Academy. The school, which includes grades K-12, plans to relocate from McGinnis Ferry Road, just inside Forsyth County. Council members discussed the progressive imprint the school will bring to the city, with anticipation for up to 200 students. The former address of the school
was in Forsyth County at 7340 McGinnis Ferry Road, and the school’s new facility will be shared with PVR Research, a consumer research firm. Johns Creek resident Mary Beth Cooper said “this school belongs in this area” and will provide a positive impact for the city. The school’s next step will be to submit a building permit for approval, in order to start construction and be complete for the fall. The school will be required to construct the sidewalk as required per the approved zoning conditions. Administrators from the school and council members agreed how the addition of Providence will support the city’s “live, work, play” mantra. “It’s very positive for Johns Creek and the town center. Their student demographic will be a good compliment to the area,” Mayor John Bradberry said.
Current enrollment at Providence is nearly 60, and the administration anticipates over time for that number to grow. Community Development Director Ben Song said an enrollment of up to 200 students at a private school in the area would not hinder traffic flow or create congestion. “It will be efficient but not overly dense and will be able to accommodate more students in Johns Creek,” Song said. The academy also aligns with the approved framework of the Town Center Vision and Plan, which is to “create an iconic destination representing the city’s diversity, culture and values.” Alcon, Pandya Medical Center, Elite Fencing Academy and North Chattahoochee Family Physicians are some of the businesses near the school’s location.
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ATLANTA —Declining enrollment and increasing vacancies in elementary and middle school classrooms is prompting Fulton County Schools officials to get creative about how education will look in the future. Enrollment projections for North Fulton schools show more than 9,000 available seats in kindergarten through 8th grade next year, with few signs of growth through the decade. School officials say they hope innovative options for education may draw new families into the region and lure private school students back to public schools. One idea with strong support from administrators are kindergarten through 8th grade academies focused on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math). These academies could be located within existing school buildings with infrastructure already in place. In the North Fulton region, one potential opportunity for a K-8 academy is at Holcomb Bridge Middle
See SCHOOLS, Page 10