Centennial Academy, a K-8 charter school serving Atlanta residents, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The school focuses on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education and inquiry-based learning. Centennial Academy extends beyond its campus borders in downtown Atlanta, creating strong partnerships with institutions of early and higher learning, industry, and social service to support an expansive curriculum.
In 1994, the nation’s first public housing project, Techwood Homes, was transformed from a poor, crime-ridden neighborhood into Centennial Place community, the nation’s first comprehensive and sustainable mixed-income, mixed-use community.
“Centennial was the first time that anyone had done a comprehensive revitalization that included a mix of lower-income families with middle and upper in the same community,” explains Egbert Perry, Chairman of the Board of Centennial Academy.
Most critical to sustaining this new community was a school supported by before- and after-school programs and an early childhood development program. In 1996, the Atlanta Board of Education authorized the building of a new STEAM school, Centennial Place Elementary, which operated as a traditional public school within the Atlanta Public School district until 2011. It was then that school leaders, parents, and The Integral Group collaborated to revamp the school and its approach to education. To regain flexibility and autonomy, Centennial Academy was formed in 2014.
A few highlights from Centennial Academy’s achievements over the past 10 years include:
- The school has received several grants, including an $15k grant from the Connolly Foundation to implement arts-based pedagogy and a $850k grant from the Kellogg Foundation for Centennial Consortium for School Readiness.
- Scholars and Centennial have been involved in many community partnerships, including participation in the Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (GEEARs) Preschool-3rd Grade Leaders Fellowship, the Community Partner Scholarship program with the Alliance Theater, and the Georgia Tech Innovators in Residence.
- The Centennial to College Scholarship Fund has awarded more than $55k in book scholarships.
- The school achieved a Cognia STEAM Certification.
Centennial Academy is proud of its charter status achieved in 2014 because it allows the school to lean into STEAM, Project-Based Learning (PBL), and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) innovation and the autonomy to respond to the needs of its community in real time. Centennial also embraces its rich roots as Centennial Place Elementary and welcomes all alumni (1996-present) scholars, staff, and community stakeholders to join in the celebration and the creation of the Centennial Academy Alumni Association.
“For us, it is about the whole child. Our scholars enter our doors as HEROES and leave as LEGENDS,” says Jessica Olowoyo, Executive Director of Centennial Academy. “Centennial is more than just a school; it is an experience. We strive to build influential global citizens through experience and exposure with opportunities for international travel, Broadway theater productions, community apprenticeships, and scholar empowerment. So many kids have found their voice and their unique talent as a result of their time at Centennial. Wherever you go in the Metro Atlanta area, you can find individuals that have a story of how Centennial impacted their life. We are honored to be part of the journey.”
Yussra Hassan, a 2018 Centennial Academy Graduate, says, “I believe that Project-Based Learning was the best way that Centennial Academy prepared me for college because it helped take my critical thinking and collaborative skills to a whole other level,” says Yussra Hassan, 2018 Centennial Academy Graduate. “I was taught how to problem-solve with my classmates for our projects which allowed us to put our heads together to figure out the best solution to our projects. The skills I learned during PBL were an important step to prepare me for the career path I want to pursue.”
About Centennial Academy
Centennial Academy is a conversion charter school in the heart of Atlanta that educates scholars from kindergarten through 8th grade. As a community school, Centennial Academy extends beyond its campus borders, creating strong partnerships with institutions of early and higher learning, industry, and social service that support an expansive curriculum.
