Riverwood Students Get New Principal, Classroom Addition

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- When students at Riverwood International Charter School in Sandy Springs return to class on Monday, Aug. 7, a new principal will be awaiting to kick off the 2017-18 school year.

Charles Gardner has been selected as the school's new principal, a decision that approved July 24 by the Fulton County School Board.

Before moving to Riverwood, Gardner served as principal of McClarin High School and Sandy Springs Charter Middle School.

"I already know that Riverwood is a special place and look forward to building upon Riverwood’s legacy of excellence to ensure a world class experience for our students both inside and outside of the classroom," he said in a letter to the community.

Gardner replaces Dr. Robert Shaw, who was transferred to lead Roswell High School. Riverwood's new principal added he's excited to begin meeting the school's talented staff, students and supportive families who all make the school unique. He also said he'll begin working with Riverwood's administrative team to ensure a successful transition and a smooth opening for the 2017-18 school year.

Gardner obtained his bachelor's degree in music education from Florida State University and his master's of education and educational leadership certificate from Kennesaw State University. He taught at Floyd Middle School in Mableton before he was tapped to serve as assistant principal at Campbell High School in Smyrna in 2009.

He came to Fulton County schools in 2011, and served as assistant principal at both River Trail Middle School in Johns Creek and North Springs Charter High School. In 2013, he began his career as a principal, starting out at McClarin High School and later moving to Sandy Springs Charter Middle School in 2015. He's also a member of Leadership Sandy Springs' Class of 2017.

The principal said he believes in building strong relationships with students, staff and families to ensure all students are given the chance to thrive. To help in this regard, Gardner said he is coordinating upcoming meet and greet opportunities with the community and stakeholders.

Along with embarking on the school year with a new principal, Riverwood will also open a new addition that's the first phase of a complete replacement of the school. This first phase includes a 112,500-square-foot addition that includes 30 classrooms to support about 600 students as well as a newly constructed baseball field.

Phase 1 also will begin to prepare the site for the construction of future phases, which will include the demolition of the existing school building and construct the new cafeteria, career and technical education space, media center, performing arts, and athletic facilities of the new school.

Image via Riverwood International Charter School