The Atlanta school district and the Institute for Student Achievement are teaming up to redesign two high schools with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The 51,000-student district announced last week that it has received $10.5 million from the Seattle-based philanthropy to expand an initiative to break its large, traditional high schools into small schools and small learning communities over the next five years. The approach is similar to improvement efforts under way in Chicago, New York City, and other major school districts.
Two redesigned high schools will open in the fall with four theme-based schools designed in partnership with the institute, based in Lake Success, N.Y. Its model has drawn particular notice for its emphasis on creating personalized learning environments for students. (“An Advisory Advantage,” March 7, 2007.)