Atlanta SMART Academy, a charter performing arts school, announced the expansion of the school from 20,000 square feet to 30,150 square feet. Serving students in grades 5-8, Atlanta SMART Academy is located at Halpern’s Hightower Station, a 56,683-square-foot plaza at 2636 M.L.K. Jr Drive Southwest in Atlanta.  

“We are beyond thrilled to expand our footprint to serve more students in the community with personalized and caring instruction,” said Atlanta SMART Academy Founder and Principal Patrice Meadows. “Since opening in the fall of 2021 with 125 students, we have grown to 200 students this school year and will be able to accommodate up to 400 students next year.”  

A tuition-free, public charter school, Atlanta SMART Academy’s curriculum encompasses the Arts, Science, and Math. The school’s structure emphasizes building relationships with students through personalized instruction that addresses student-specific needs and requirements.  

“The additional space will support our mission to expose our solutionists to arts education and experiences by adding specialty rooms, a STEM lab, custom studios for music, dance and theater, and an expansion of our multipurpose auditorium,” said Meadows.    

Atlanta SMART Academy’s project-based curriculum is designed to prepare students for high school success by teaching them how to solve problems through lessons and giving them agency over their learning. Most students read at or above their grade level within one year of enrollment. They service middle school students from nine counties, with transportation provided by two bus routes in metro Atlanta.