Cherokee County School District Launches First Phase of Cherokee Academies Initiative

The Cherokee County School District on the first day of school, Wednesday, August 1, 2012 launched the initial phase of its new Cherokee Academies initiative.  Designed to increase options for academic choice within the School District, the Academies for the 2012-13 School Year include: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Academies for Grades 3-5 at Ball Ground Elementary School, Canton Elementary School, Clark Creek Elementary School and Holly Springs Elementary School and Fine Arts Academies at Hasty Elementary School and Oak Grove Elementary School.

The opening of these Academies required significant work behind the scenes to develop curriculum and provide teachers with professional development training to implement these lesson plans. 

STEM Cherokee training was offered over the summer by CCSD staff to develop lesson plans for new units, which include Design and Model Membranes; Engineering, Design and Robotics; Ecosystems; Electricity; Energy; Land Forms; Light and Sound; Magnetism; and Simple Machines. STEM 21 training will be offered throughout the year to teachers at these Academies to further enhance understanding of STEM subjects and the project-based learning model.

ArtsNOW, a professional learning initiative that trains educators to implement integrated arts programs to meet the needs of all students, this summer began leading professional development training for staff from the Fine Arts Academies and will continue to do so throughout the school year.  ArtsNOW’s curriculum is developed with collaborators including the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education, Emory University Department of Theater Studies, Georgia State University School of Music, the Savannah College of Art & Design/Atlanta and The National Consortium for Music‐in‐Education.