BUFORD CITY
First day of school: Thursday, Aug. 5
Expected enrollment: 3,000
Increase/decrease: 100 increase
New schools, major renovations/additions: None to educational facilities but work is winding down on a new transportation complex (bus shop).
DAWSON COUNTY
First day of school: Monday, Aug. 9
Expected enrollment: 3,484
Increase/decrease: two percent increase
New schools, major renovations/additions: New school, Riverview Elementary School. Completed a four million dollar renovation of our oldest school facility, Herbert W. Robinson Elementary School. In the process of constructing a new non-traditional school, Hightower Academy, which will open around Christmas. Have renovated Dawson County Crossroads facility to accommodate the Dawson County Lanier Tech programs.
FORSYTH COUNTY
First day of school: Monday, Aug. 9
Expected enrollment: 35,893
Increase/decrease: 4.7% increase
New schools, major renovations/additions: Renovated science labs at South Forsyth HS; iAchieve Virtual Academy for grades 6-12 for in- and out-of-county residents. http://www.forsyth.k12.us/iachieve
GAINESVILLE CITY
First day of school: Monday, Aug. 9
Expected enrollment: 6,917
Increase/decrease: increase of 385
*New schools, major renovations/additions : New school - Wood's Mill Academy will serve grades 6-12. This is a non-traditional middle and high school program. This school began in January of 2010 with a pilot program of 30 students. It is a "blended learning environment" which means that the coursework is delivered through computer based modules with teachers facilitating, providing hands-on labs or activities, and guiding students through the course sequence path.
GWINNETT COUNTY
First day of school: Monday, Aug. 9
Expected enrollment: 161,000
Increase/decrease: 1,600 increase
New schools, major renovations/additions: Eight new buildings, seven of which are new schools. Total of 512 news classrooms this year, including the new schools and additions to existing schools.
HABERSHAM COUNTY
First day of classes: Tuesday, Aug. 10
Expected enrollment: 6,900
Increase/decrease: data not provided
New schools, major renovations/additions: Extensive renovations to Habersham
Central High School
HALL COUNTY
First day of school: Monday, Aug. 9
Expected enrollment: 26,000
Increase/decrease: little or no change
New schools, major renovations/additions: Only major work this summer was on the Lanier Career Charter Academy addition. Other than that, just standard repairs and renovations.
JACKSON COUNTY
First day of school: Thursday, Aug. 5
Expected enrollment: 7,500
Increase/decrease: 125-130
New schools, major renovations/additions : Major renovations to North Jackson Elementary School, mostly to non-classroom elements such as greatly enlarging the cafeteria.
JEFFERSON CITY
First day of school: Monday, Aug. 2
Expected enrollment: 2,800
Increase/decrease: about the same as last year
New schools, major renovations: No new schools. Just routine summertime maintenance.
LUMPKIN COUNTY
First day of school: Wednesday, Aug. 11
Expected enrollment: 4,000
Increase/decrease: increase of about 200
New schools, major renovations/additions: No new schools; renovations to Lumpkin County Elementary and Long Branch Elementary.
WHITE COUNTY
First day of school: Aug. 23
Expected enrollment: 3,900
Increase/decrease: about the same
New schools, major renovations/additions: Administrative offices are moving into the vocational wing that had been used for the old middle/school high school. Most of that complex has been torn down to make way for a new middle school.
ELSEWHERE
Banks County (which opens classes Monday, Aug. 9); Barrow County (which opens Monday, Aug. 2); and the Commerce City School System (which opens for the year on Monday, Aug. 9) did not respond in time for the posting of this story. Their information will be posted as it is received.
Among the private schools in Hall County, classes begin August 9 at Maranatha Christian Academy, North Georgia Christian School, and Greater Atlanta Christian School; August 10 at Lakeview Academy; August 12 Heritage Christian Academy Elementary School (middle school and high school August 13); Brenau Academy, August 13; and, Riverside Military Academy, August 19.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2010/8/231171