PRS 2020 Growth
07/10
Pike Road Schools growing, making progress
Pike Road Schools continues to grow with the addition of a junior high school, principal, Pre-K programs and classrooms.
Pike Road Junior High School will in the fall include grades 7-9 consisting of about 550 students who will be housed on the Georgia Washington campus.
“The junior high school will operate as a separate school from Pike Road High School, yet share certain facilities like the cafeteria, gym, media center, and the physical education fields,” said Rebecca Williams, PRS communications and federal programs coordinator. “This next phase in our growth will allow our students to learn and grow with similarly-aged peers.”
Dr. Jason Hadden has been named principal of Pike Road Junior High School. Hadden comes to PRS from Coffee County Schools.
“He is an experienced principal with proven success in improving his school academically while also building a culture that was safe and supportive for his students,” Williams said.
The Pike Road system has received another grant from the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education to add a First-Class Pre-K class.
The award marks the second First Class Pre-K class that PRS has been able to set up using state funds.
PRS also operates one Pre-K class not funded by the state. PRS started the class several years ago, giving PRS a total of three Pre-K classrooms, Williams said, adding that there are 18 students per class.
Not all Pre-K classes are the same, she said. Two Pre-K classes have two teachers, one of whom is specially trained in early childhood coursework. The third Pre-K class has three teachers, which means the class also serves students with special needs.
“Pre-K helps students develop socially, emotionally, and intellectually through learning experiences that are developmentally appropriate. These learning experiences, which are often play-based and include exploration and discovery, prepare them for success in school,” said Jeff Hatfield, principal of Pike Road Elementary School (PRES). “Expanding our Pre-K program at PRES provides further opportunity for families in our community and shows a commitment to early childhood education, which we know is vital to growth and development. Establishing a learning continuum that spans from Pre-K through Grade 3 really builds continuity as we develop the whole child and prepare them for lifelong learning.”
To apply for a Pre-K class, visit https://alprek.asapconnected.com. Acceptance is strictly through a random drawing to be held on July 13 at 11 a.m. Pre-registration ends July 11. For more information, visit www.childrenalabama.gov and see Pre-Registration and First-Class Pre-K.
Additional students need more classrooms, parking spaces and athletic facilities. PRS has been busy meeting those needs, PRS Superintendent Dr. Charles Ledbetter said.
“Pike Road Schools is proud of the progress as it pertains to the addition of classroom space. In July, we will complete renovation of the Georgia Washington Campus, which includes Pike Road High School and Pike Road Junior High School,” Ledbetter said. “All of the classrooms in the older parts of the building have been renovated, including electrical, heat and air, and many topical finishes as well. The lunch room, kitchen, and gymnasium have also been renovated.”
Athletic facilities for football, soccer, baseball, and softball have been built, as well as restrooms and a concession stand to be shared by the three athletic fields. Parking areas also have been added for the increasing number of student drivers.
At the Historic Pike Road School Campus, home of Pike Road Intermediate School grades 4-6, a 12-classroom addition will be completed by the end of July, Ledbetter said. “We also are adding a playground outside and flooring in the gym,” he said.
Work at the Historic Campus adds 12,252 square feet of classroom space and a storm shelter providing 3,400 square feet of space.
Director of facilities Todd McConnell said the storm shelter has storm-rated doors and a back-up power system that will maintain power to the shelter for more than two hours.
Source: Montgomery Advertiser
