School choice isn’t just a trending topic. It’s a pivotal part of the conversation happening in our Nation as we are on the brink of a critical Presidential Election.
Many Black parents are concerned about public education with high suspension rates, more cops than counselors and a true lack of connection for children of color in schools.
Well a new charter school in Georgia, 7 Pillars Career Academy is bringing something different to the table!
7 Pillars Career Academy is a locally approved Clayton County Tuition Free Public Charter School. The school’s purpose is to help students become college and career ready.
The school is founded by a local educator and long time advocate in Clayton County, Christina Guillen. The families in Forest Park now have a choice to how their children are educated. If we have options for how we select anything else we need, why not how our children are educated?
7 Pillars is progressively working to become an important staple in the Forest Park community. As Black boys is the largest sub group for drop out rates, Forest Park has the highest drop out rates for Black boys in the State. The Head of Schools, Christina Guillen, is determined that will certainly decrease over the next decade through the impact of 7 Pillars.
Families who enroll at 7 Pillars will have a high-quality school that reinforces the importance community engagement, educational competence and also character education. We are raising the bar for youth to be of good character.
Several things about the school makes 7 Pillars unique. The school offers 1 to 1 technology, quarterly field trips, free after school program, academic classes no larger than 20 students, breakfast, lunch supper and snack, college tours and career apprenticeships.
Most uniquely is the restorative justice practices embedded in the school’s principles that allows it to be suspension free. As Black and Brown children are too often suspended and placed out of school, 7 Pillars believes there is a better way. If we cannot keep you engaged and in school, then we’ve already lost the battle.
Parents, communities and supporters are encouraged to learn more about the #7Pillars this Saturday, August 3, 2019 from 10:00 – 1:00 p.m. at the school for it’s open house and community celebration.
4234 Hendrix Dr. Forest Park, GA 30297, A Division of YouthServ360, Inc.
Christina Guillen, Founder and Head of School (770) 954-5306.
Jason has worked in education for over 15 years as a teacher, blogger and community advocate. He speaks and writes primarily about the need to improve education for Black boys, particularly increasing the number of Black male educators in schools. In addition to blogging here at EdLanta, Jason is also a featured writer at Education Post.