This document summarizes a community forum on redistricting for the SPARK area of Atlanta. It outlines the goals of redistricting to balance school utilization and plan for growth. Four options are presented for adjusting district boundaries and feeder patterns, all of which have challenges. The community values keeping neighborhoods together in small, walkable schools. Expanding capacity at SPARK Elementary is suggested as a solution.

1. VHCA Redistricting Forum
WELCOME!

2. AGENDA
 Goals of APS
SPARK Forum
 Demographic information for SPARK
 Review of District Maps
 Community Feedback: Values and
Opportunities
 Next Steps for Our Community

3. Goals of APS and Demographers
 Balance current building utilization to 80% to 90%
of planning capacity
 Recommend school consolidation/closures in areas
where forecasted enrollment does not support
multiple schools
 Provide added capacity for growth in zones which are
projected to experience further enrollment increases
 Propose boundaries that will be functional for 10
years if possible

4. Objectives of Demographers
 Attempt to assign students closest to their homes
 Attempt to avoid splitting neighborhoods
 Insure student safety and transportation efficiency
by using major geographic features as boundaries
 Attempt to maximize/keep feeder concept in tact

5. Demographic Trends
1800
1600
1400
1200
SPARK
1000
SPARK cap
800 Inman
600 Inman Cap
Grady
400 Grady Cap
200
0

6. Framing the Capacity Challenge
1800
1600
1400
1200
2012
1000 2015
800 2018
600 2021
Capacity
400
200
0
SPARK Inman Grady

7. Current Feeder Schools into Inman
 Morningside Elementary
 Not included in Options 1, 2, 3, and 4
 Centennial
 Not included in Options 1, 2, 3, and 4
 SPARK Elementary
 Remains at Inman for all options
 Mary Lin
 Remains at Inman for all options

8. Changes to Grady Feeder Schools
 SPARK Elementary
 Mary Lin Elementary
 Morningside Elementary
 Not included in Grady for Options 3 and 4
 Hill-Hope Elementary
 Not included in Grady for Options 1, and 2
 Toomer Elementary
 Not included in Grady for Options 1, 2, and 3
 Centennial Elementary
 Not included in Grady for Options 2 and 4
 East Lake Elementary
 Recommended for closure in all 4 options

9. District Maps: Option 1
 SPARK – No significant changes
 Feeds to Inman Middle School
 Feeds to Grady High School
 Inman Middle School Includes
 Mary Lin (w/expansion)
 SPARK
 Grady High School Includes
 Mary Lin (w/expansion)
 Morningside
 Centennial
 SPARK

10.  Elementary School
Challenges  Does not help SPARK with capacity
with Option 1 issues
 This is the option that impacts SPARK
the least
 Middle School
 Breaks up the Morningside/Va
Highland Community

11. District Maps: Option 2
 SPARK – Poncey-Highland is zoned out
 Feeds to Inman Middle School
 Feeds to Grady High School
 Inman Middle Includes
 Mary Lin (w/expansion) / Hill-Hope
 SPARK
 Grady High School Includes
 Morningside
 Mary Lin (w/expansion) / Hill-Hope
 SPARK

12.  Elementary School
Challenges  Poncey-Highland is close to SPARK
with Option 2  Does not help overcrowding at SPARK
 More change for our neighborhood
 Middle School
 Breaks up the Morningside/Va
Highland Community

13. District Maps: Option 3
 SPARK – Combines with Hope-Hill
 Feeds to Inman
 Feeds to Grady
 Inman Middle Includes
 Mary Lin (w/expansion)
 SPARK / Hope-Hill
 Grady High School Includes
 Mary Lin (w/expansion)
 SPARK / Hope-Hill
 Centennial

14. District Maps: Option 4
 SPARK – Combines with Hope-Hill
 Feeds to Inman
 Feeds to Grady
 Inman Middle Includes
 Mary Lin (w/expansion) / Toomer
 SPARK / Hope-Hill
 Grady High School Includes
 Mary Lin (w/expansion) / Toomer
 SPARK / Hope-Hill

15.  Elementary School
Challenges  Does not help overcrowding
with Option 3  School hours are different
 Creates transportation problems for
our kids and community
 Middle School
 Breaks up the Morningside/Va
Highland Community
 High School
 Breaks up the Morningside/Va
Highland Community

16. Our Community’s Challenge
 SPARK is overcrowded
 Inman is overcrowded
 Grady WILL BE overcrowded

17. Moving Forward: Our Values
 Small neighborhood
schools
 Walk-able schools
 Keep community
together

18. What Else We Know…
 SPARK can grow –
SPLOST $$
 Mid-town Middle School
may be unnecessary
 Existing unused space
 Howard High School
 Walden Middle School

19. The SPARK Solution – BUILD NOW
 Prioritize SPLOST
 Add Capacity
 Maintain Neighborhoods
 Virginia-Highland
 Midtown
 Poncey-Highland
 Druid Hills

20. What Can I Do Next?
 Fill out the survey by Friday, December
16th - http://www.atlanta.k12.ga.us/Page/23746
 Write letters and ask to:
 Expand SPARK capacity
 Keep our schools walk-able
 Keep our community together