Shaundra N. Fears, Coordinator
sfears@atlanta.k12.ga.us

The Smaller Learning Communities are individualized learning units with a career or academic theme. Smaller Learning Communities provide a more personalized education that will help close the achievement gap, improve attendance and give students and staff a sense of belonging

Ninth Grade Foundation Academy
The Ninth Grade Academy, developed around the concept of a small learning community, is a school-within-a-school organized around interdisciplinary teams of English, math, science, and social studies who share a specific area of the school building. Incoming freshmen are connected to a select team of caring Academy staff who will use research proven best instructional strategies to teach the curriculum as well as address their students' needs more personally. Teachers work in a collaborative environment and are committed to the learning of the students they share. The Foundations Academy focuses on developing and honing the personal and academic skills of these students, while connecting them to their academic and career pathways that will define their junior and senior years of high school.

Tenth Grade Transition Academy
After leaving the Ninth Grade Foundation Academy, students enter the Tenth Grade Transition Academy. During their year in the Tenth Grade Academy, students take courses designed to strengthen their academic skills.  In addition to their academic subjects, students are enrolled in a career / vocational class he or she has chosen to explore. Students move into one of our career-based Academies when they leave the Tenth Grade Transition Academy. 

Fine Arts and Communications Academy
Students in the Fine Arts & Communications Smaller Learning Community (SLC) will develop and demonstrate their talents and appreciation of the Arts in preparation for post secondary education and life long enrichment. The Fine Arts and Communications SLC prepares students for college as well as careers in communication and design industries. The daily atmosphere of creative work, collaboration, and research prepares students for a wide range of future pursuits. The SLC provides specialized training in Creative Writing, Dance, Drama, Instrumental and Vocal Music, Television Production and Visual Arts. Students have three majors within the academy: (1) performing arts, (2) visual arts and (3) broadcasting. Our students receive a rigorous academic program combined with rich pre-professional experiences in a wide array of artistic disciplines. Our combination of high expectations and placing the arts at the core of our curriculum produces graduates who are well prepared for post-secondary study in a wide range of pursuits, both within and outside of the arts.

Science, Mathematics and Engineering Academy
The Science, Mathematics and Engineering Academy provides each student with a strong foundation in the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to lead a successful, productive life.

Mission
The Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Academy, through a collaborative effort, promotes the academic, social, emotional, and physical development of each student so that all students are engaged and motivated, all teachers are challenging and inspiring, and all parents are involved and supportive.

Vision
The Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Academy’s curriculum promotes rigor, relevance, and high achievement in order to foster life-long learning in the science, mathematics, and engineering fields.

The Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Academy has three divisions:

1. Engineering and Robotics
2. Health Science
3. Sports Medicine

Quarter One Theme
Investigation of the Energy Crisis

Slogan
We know how the world works, and we own it!!!

Business, Management & Administration Academy
The Business, Management and Administration Academy prepares students for the work force.  Business classes relate academic subjects to the real world and demonstrate how high school course work is relevant in the global economy.  The goal of the academy is to assist students in developing skills in office technology, materials management, entrepreneurship, accounting and finance, and to prepare students for employment in business related careers.  In addition, the Professional Foods pathway offers preparation for students interested pursuing careers in the culinary arts, including food preparation and restaraunt ownership.  The academy includes coursework for students interested in financial services, entrepreneurship and commerce.  Students are exposed to a broad range of job opportunities within the business industry.  The pathways for the Business, Management & Administration Academy include: Commerce and Professional Foods.

Southside High School’s Smaller Learning Communities

Preparing students for the future…