Back to School 2014: Gwinnett Enrollment Reaches 172,000 Students

Facts and figures about Gwinnett County Public Schools as the system readies to welcome students back to class on Tuesday, Aug. 5 (from GCPS website)

2014-2015 projected enrollment: 172,383

> Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS), the largest school system in Georgia, will welcome approximately 3,200 new students to its classrooms in 2014, bringing the system’s total student enrollment to more than 172,000 students.

> 2 new schools brings total number of facilities to 134

As the school district welcomes new students, two new schools will open their doors for the first time in 2014. One of the new schools is a middle school and the other is a charter school serving students interested in the performing arts. With the opening of these two new schools, the school district will operate 77 elementary schools, 27 middle schools, 19 high schools, five charter schools, and six special entities.

> 210 new instructional areas ready for student learning in 2014

As Gwinnett students start the 2014-2015 school year, many of them will attend class in new classrooms. In addition to two new schools, projects at three existing schools will provide additional learning areas. The project at Rockbridge Elementary is opening a year ahead of schedule.

*(Note: The 210-number does not include North Metro Academy of the Performing Arts).

> New schools opening August 2014

Northbrook Middle
(Located in the Peachtree Ridge Cluster, students from Jackson Elementary will feed into the new Northbrook Middle.)
1221 Northbrook Pkwy.
Suwanee, 30024
Phone: (678) 407-7140
Principal: Dr. Keith D. Thompson
63 instructional areas – 1,025 student capacity
(In addition to 30 classrooms, the school also includes other learning units such as 12 science labs, two computer labs, two band rooms, an art room, etc.)
Construction cost: $17,047,806

North Metro Academy of the Performing Arts
(Board approved start-up charter school serving Gwinnett County residents in grades K-6 for the 2014-2015 school year)
182 Hunter St. in Norcross
Phone: (770) 903-3400
Principal: Dr. Burrell Pope

> Additions opening August 2014

Alcova Elementary – 27 new learning areas including 20 classrooms, a science lab, a computer lab, etc.
New student capacity – 1,100 students
Construction cost: $4,935,549

Rockbridge Elementary – 79 new learning areas including 62 classrooms, one science lab, two computer labs, a media center, an art room, etc.
New student capacity – 1,250 students
Construction cost: $17,689,281.81
*This project opens a year ahead of schedule.

North Gwinnett High – 23 new learning areas including eight science labs, one media center, one life skills classroom, etc.
New student capacity – 2,625
Construction cost: $10,935,938

> 5 are charter schools

Five of the 134 educational facilities that GCPS will operate in 2014-2015 are charter schools—Gwinnett Online Campus (system charter online 4-12 grade school); Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (system charter high school); Maxwell High School of Technology (system charter high school offering technical education programs); New Life Academy of Excellence (a Board-approved K-8 start-up charter school that operates in the county with its campus in Duluth); North Metro Academy of the Performing Arts (a Board-approved K-6 start-up charter school opening in 2014 with its campus in Norcross).

In addition, the school district also operates the following six special entities—Buice School (Pre-K programs); GIVE Center East; (Gwinnett InterVention Education Center, an alternative program for middle and high school students); GIVE Center West; Hooper Renwick School (special education programs);Monarch School (special education programs and services); and Oakland Meadow School (special education programs).