The History of Centennial Place
The Centennial Place neighborhood, replaced Techwood Homes into the nation's first comprehensive sustainable mixed-income, mixed-use community.
The pride of the neighborhood was Centennial Place Elementary school. Driven by the belief that public education must succeed if new urban communities are to succeed, McCormack Baron Salazar and its partners connected with Georgia Tech and Coca-Cola to spur the development of a new K-5 school for the neighborhood – one that would hold all children to equally high expectations.
Centennial Place Elementary operated as a traditional public school. Over time, changes within the traditional public school curriculum affected the ability of Centennial Place Elementary to implement instructional practices that address the needs of its scholars.
In 2011, school leaders and parents in collaboration with The Integral Group decided to refresh its approach to education. To regain flexibility and autonomy, Centennial Academy was formed to become the first conversion charter school in the Atlanta Public School System in 2014.
Centennial Academy serves scholars in grades K-8. The curriculum continues to focus on STEAM and Project-Based Learning strategies that readily extend beyond the school’s campus borders to utilize the resources of its neighboring institutional partners.
A Conversion Charter
As a conversion charter school, Centennial Academy maintains an attendance zone serving as one of APS’s public neighborhood schools. The school will accept admission to any student residing in the attendance zone. Although Centennial Academy is not required to take out-of-zone students, the school will maintain a certain number of out-of-zone students, lottery scholars, as part of the diverse population. A neighborhood school first and choice school second, Centennial Academy maintains a strong partnership with APS to meet the demands of its enrolled students.