Officials from Atlanta Public Schools and the Atlanta Preservation Center standing side-by-side, taking questions from the public about a chummy historic preservation plan, would have been unimaginable less than two years ago. That’s when APS, out of the blue, announced a demolition of the highly historic Lakewood Elementary in Lakewood Heights. This is how things typically go in […]
Tag: Atlanta Public Schools
Posted inAllison Joyner
Midtown High club hosts school board forum for students before Election Day
Organized by the student group Midtown Votes, students from Midtown High School club last week to hear from candidates running for school board offices about significant issues affecting the Atlanta Public School (APS) system. Alfred “Shivy” Brooks and Tamara Jones, running for District 7 At-Large; Jessica Johnson and Nkoyo Effiong Lewis, running for District 9 […]
Posted inColumns
In Lakewood Heights, new Atlanta Public Schools land-sale process raises concerns and support
In many ways, Lakewood Heights is where Atlanta Public Schools’ (APS) new surplus-property disposition process began. It’s also likely to be the first test case in determining whether that process will build trust and plan from the community level upward. Lakewood Heights has struggled with disinvestment, crime and commercial vacancies in the decades since a […]
Posted inLatest News
Atlanta Public Schools plans affordable housing and more for surplus properties, names two pilot projects
Atlanta Public Schools (APS) may team with the City’s brand-new affordable housing organization on community-led, history-preserving remakes of several surplus properties – starting with the former Lakewood Heights and Peeples Street school sites. The Atlanta Board of Education Sept. 19 gave a thumbs-up to the innovative disposal strategy, which could involve partnership with the new […]
Posted inLatest News
Neighbors oppose APS plans to fence property used as unofficial pocket park
Before the 2023/24 school year begins, there are plans to fence a section of the property that residents have used as a neighborhood greenspace for nearly 50 years.
Posted inColumns
Atlanta Public Schools historic property inventory sets a course for long-term preservation
Atlanta Public Schools has turned an embarrassing demolition debate into a long-term historic preservation system that other government agencies would be wise to imitate.
Posted inColumns, John Ruch
Lakewood Elementary’s role in legendary union strike shows more history we almost lost
Lakewood Elementary played a role in labor union organizing that triggered perhaps the most important strike in U.S. history.
Posted inLatest News
Achieve Atlanta receives $8 million gift from MacKenzie Scott
Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott is investing $8 million to support Achieve Atlanta’s efforts to help students with the Atlanta Public Schools to have access to post-secondary education.
Posted inLatest News
TPL’s Community Schoolyards: Re-envisioning school grounds as public parks
By Hannah E. Jones In a city with 445 parks, 77 percent of Atlantans live within a 10-minute walk to a greenspace. Although that’s higher than the national average, 23 percent of residents are still left living in “park deserts” throughout the city. With hopes of opening more local parks, the Trust for Public Land […]
Posted inLatest News
Five Atlanta sites win Georgia Trust historic preservation awards
Five Atlanta sites are among statewide winners of Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation awards, including a school rehabilitation that earned the top honor.
Posted inLatest News
Reporter’s Notebook: Chattahoochee Nature Center celebrates infrastructure improvements
Spring has sprung and warm weather in Atlanta means it’s officially the season of festivals. From now until Sunday, April 10, you can head downtown — across from Georgia State University’s Center Parc Stadium — to visit the Atlanta Fair, celebrating its 50th year. Get an early taste of summertime with cotton candy in one […]
Posted inLatest News
Reporter’s Notebook: Georgia Tech grad elected to U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame
Mark your calendars, Atlanta! Daylight savings is right around the corner. On Sunday, March 13, our clocks will spring forward by an hour — one of the first signs of spring. Once this cold spurt passes, let’s all get outside and enjoy our extra hour of sunshine. On to other recent news: Georgia Tech grad […]
Posted inLatest News
Reporter’s Notebook: Morris Brown partners with Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Georgia to offer low-cost education to members
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has recently dropped the city-wide mask mandate that has been in place for most of the pandemic. The decision comes after the CDC updated its suggestions, marking Fulton and DeKalb County as “low-risk” areas. Atlanta Public Schools and the City Schools of Decatur have also updated their guidelines to a mask-optional […]
Posted inLatest News
APS to ‘pause’ controversial plan to demolish historic Lakewood Heights school building
Atlanta Public Schools will “pause” its plan to demolish the historic former Lakewood Elementary School following opposition from preservationists and City planners who called it “shameful.”
Posted inLatest News
Plan to demolish historic Lakewood Elementary School blasted as ‘shameful’
An Atlanta Public Schools proposal to demolish the historic Lakewood Elementary building is being blasted as “shameful” by City planning staff in advance of a Jan. 12 review hearing.
Posted inLatest News
APS recognizes baseball hall-of-famer by renaming academy
The school was previously named after Confederate General and Ku Klux Klan leader Bedford Forrest. By Allison Joyner On Wednesday, Atlanta Public Schools (APS) took another step to further distance its institutions from honoring problematic historical figures. The former Forrest Hill Academy — named after the Confederate General and Ku Klux Klan leader Nathan Bedford […]
Posted inLatest News
Reporter’s Notebook: Atlanta’s Comprehensive Development Plan – 14 of 25 NPUs oppose proposal
On Oct. 22, 2001, folk artist Howard Finster died. Finster is one of the South’s most revered self-taught artists, known for finding religion and artistry in everyday objects. One of his most famous works is Paradise Gardens, an oasis in Summerville, Ga., filled with Finster’s eccentric work. He also has a permanent exhibit in the […]
