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By admin, July 7, 2011

The results of the state investigation released Tuesday showed no evidence of changed answers, test-tampering or coverup at North Atlanta High School or any of the eight schools in the North Atlanta cluster. This came as no surprise. But, the state report still was a bitter disappointment to our Foundation and anyone else with a stake in the success of our city schools. In addition to enriching our students’ educational experiences, the mission of our Foundation, and others like ours across the district, is to build support for our community schools. The North Atlanta High School Foundation was founded on the idea that every community needs thriving public schools. Unfortunately, this week’s news only reinforced negative perceptions that undermine our city  schools’ true potential.

That said, positive change for APS starts with honest assessment, no matter how brutal it may be, and the state’s report provides that in abundance. As a Foundation, our mission remains unchanged. We are proud of the students of North Atlanta. We are proud of the faculty of North Atlanta. And we are proud to be part of a cluster of public schools filled with faculty who showed integrity every step of the way. Ultimately, APS will overcome this challenge. In the meantime, we will redouble our efforts to support North Atlanta High School’s leaders, teachers and students on the road to becoming the best public high school in the Southeast.

Here is an excerpt from the official media statement issued by NAPPS via NAPPS chair and NAHS Foundation trustee Cynthia Briscoe Brown:

North Atlanta Parents for Public Schools (NAPPS) is gratified that authorities found no evidence of changed answers, test-tampering, or coverup at any of the eight schools in our cluster (two teachers were cited for possible improper reading of test questions). However, we are deeply disturbed about the systemwide results of the CRCT investigation. We expect our teachers and administrators to be models for the kind of adults we want our children to become: people of honesty and integrity who understand that true success comes to those who try hard and give their best in every endeavor. We applaud the vast majority of APS employees who choose to follow the right path, and we deplore the actions of the small percentage who made bad choices. We trust and expect that Interim Superintendent Davis and the Board of Education will act swiftly and fairly to impose appropriate consequences for all inappropriate actions.

As parents and citizens, we have a responsibility to assist every child in Atlanta Public Schools who did not receive sufficient instruction and attention to master the academic material. We commit to use our best efforts to help provide every affected student with all the academic and emotional support they need to achieve genuine success in school and in life. We look forward to continuing our partnership with APS administration, the Board of Education, and all the dedicated teachers and staff who truly care about our children and work hard each day to help every one fulfill their potential.

What will you do to move North Atlanta forward?

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By admin, June 10, 2011

Recently the Foundation helped fund North Atlanta’s first robotics team, the Warbotz. It was money well spent. Check out this WSB-TV story on their early success in national competition.

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By admin, February 15, 2011

In case you missed it, the APS board voted last night to purchase the IBM site on Northside Parkway, finally making public the best kept secret in north Atlanta. Read more in today’s AJC article, which quotes Foundation trustee Cynthia Briscoe Brown, and below is a message from school board member Nancy Meister to the Warrior community. APS estimates 18 months to two years to completion; in the meantime, the Foundation is focused on achieving our mission in the here and now. Help us by making a donation to our new Warrior Fund today!

District 4 Constituents,

Tonight, the ABE authorized the APS Administration to move forward with a Purchase and Sales contract, for the acquisition of land for the “new” North Atlanta High School.  The property is located at 4111 Northside Parkway. This location is 3.6 miles north of the current North Atlanta High School, and offers so much from a land/opportunity perspective.

The process has been very involved, many sites were considered, and  I am quite pleased with the Administration’s recommendation.  A 56 acre property, such as this, will allow the district to stay ahead of the anticipated growth. The proposed location will allow for athletic facilities such as a football practice field, soccer field, softball field and baseball field. Long term, I would anticipate the property to allow the district to expand athletic facilities and other opportunities.

The Administration will be engaged in a critical and aggressive due diligence process over the next few months.  I look forward to ensuring that all stakeholder feedback is heard and input is addressed.

Nancy Meister

District 4 ABE

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By admin, February 4, 2011

Thank you for being part of a growing community of parents, alumni, business leaders and friends who realize that North Atlanta High School has incredible potential and recognize the critical importance of community support when it comes to creating a world-class public high school.

With this in mind, we are proud to announce the launch of The Warrior Fund!

Through your tax-deductible gift to this new fund, you can directly support the Foundation’s work and help us give North Atlanta students the richest educational experience possible. With your support, we will achieve our mission to make North Atlanta the best public high school in the Southeast.

Make your secure online donation to the Warrior Fund now >

Or, simply mail a check payable to the “North Atlanta High School Foundation Warrior Fund” to:

North Atlanta High School Foundation
Attn: Treasurer
PO Box 52122
Atlanta, GA 30355

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By admin, January 20, 2011

The January issue of Atlanta Magazine includes the publication’s annual lists of Atlanta’s best high schools and North Atlanta fared very well. We were ranked as one of Atlanta’s Top 10 schools in three different categories: Math & Science, the Arts, and Sports.

Top Math & Science schools were selected for having “advanced math and science classes that range beyond traditional AP studies,” and the magazine noted that nearly all of their top picks also have robotics team (read about North Atlanta’s here).

It’s no surprise that North Atlanta would be picked as a top program for Fine Arts. The school’s Center for the Arts has long been a poster child for excellence in arts education, offering study in dance, music, theatre and the visual arts, including the opportunity to complete the full International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.

The magazine’s choices for top schools in the Sports category, including North Atlanta, all offer 14 or more varsity sports. You can thank the Booster Club for much of the athletic program’s success. Go Warriors!

The Foundation salutes all the faculty, staff and students who have put North Atlanta High School on all of these “best of Atlanta” lists. Congratulations and thanks for everything you do.

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By admin, January 13, 2011

If you like to build robots, you’re probably really good at math and science. That’s certainly true for the more than two dozen North Atlanta students who are launching the school’s first robotics team, with the help of a $5,000 challenge grant from the Foundation. Dubbed the “Warbotz,” the team attended the First Robotics Competition Kick-off event on Saturday, January 8, at Georgia Tech (a school with a recognized robotics program).

At the kickoff, the team got its kit of robotics parts and learned what the competition will be. They then inventoried the kit, and began to plan for the robot design and game strategy.

Now comes the fun part, when the team starts building their first bot. The competition deadline is Feb. 22, so the heat is on. If we had video of robots in action, believe me we’d post it, but that will have to wait until the first bot is unveiled. In the meantime, suffice it to say we’re proud to be helping the Warbotz battle their way through high school science and beyond.

Below left: NAHS Robotics Club at the First Robotics Competition Kickoff

Below right: Club member Stephen Weatherly designing a robot.

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By admin, November 3, 2010

The Foundation hosted its second annual pre-Homecoming tailgate party on Saturday, October 30 at the Park Tavern in Midtown. More than 60 alumni, parents and faculty gathered in support of the Foundation’s mission and to celebrate the Warriors before they took to the field at the newly renovated Grady Stadium. Much like the score of the game (Warriors 34 – Spartans 0) the Foundation could not be more pleased with the support from the North Atlanta community.

Did you miss the party? Be sure to sign up for our alumni email list so you stay in the loop on future gatherings, and of course you can still make a donation if you like.

Were you there? Post a comment to tell us what you thought or post your event pics to our Facebook page.

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By admin, October 11, 2010

North Atlanta students recently had a chance to team up with AT&T employees and participate in the AT&T/JA Worldwide Job Shadow Initiative. As a result of their participation and enthusiasm for the learning experience, AT&T Mobility president and CEO Ralph de la Vega visited North Atlanta High on Thursday, September 30, to address the students in a motivational presentation and then have lunch with the Junior Achievement students.

The AT&T/JA Worldwide Job Shadow Initiative is a joint effort between AT&T and Junior Achievement in which AT&T employees help students connect classroom learning to real life opportunities. Back in the spring, 76 students — including a number of North Atlanta business students — visited an AT&T corporate site to learn about careers and develop an understanding of the educational background and skills they will need to succeed in the workplace.

North Atlanta High School was chosen for the special visit from de la Vega for its strong interest level in the AT&T/JA Worldwide Job Shadow Initiative and high response rate of students who commented on the impact of de la Vega’s own personal story and overcoming the odds.

“I believe that education is the foundation of success and no one can take it away from you, no matter what happens,” said de la Vega. “I care deeply about the future success of our youth and greatly appreciate spending time with students and sharing my own story in hopes of inspiring them.”

As part of the job shadow initiative, students received complimentary copies of de la Vega’s book Obstacles Welcome, in which he describes his experiences as a Cuban immigrant in the United States, the importance of education and his advancement through business to become a top executive at AT&T.

“The commitment of North Atlanta High School to its students extends far beyond the classroom. We also want to see them succeed in life,” said Lorraine Bowen, North Atlanta High School International Business & Marketing Teacher. “Through the AT&T/JA Worldwide Job Shadow Initiative we are able to offer them an impactful experience that can broaden their scope of future opportunities.”

As Junior Achievement’s largest corporate job shadow initiative to date, AT&T and JA are committed to reaching 100,000 high school students with the program over five years. Since the $5.5 million job shadow initiative began in 2008, the program has reached more than 50,000 students in 206 cities.

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By admin, September 22, 2010

Back in June, the Foundation made a $1,400 grant to fund four student scholarships to the APS Juilliard Summer Jazz Residency. Imagine it: dozens of eager young jazz musicians from across APS in the care of 12 world-class instructors from Juilliard. You can read more about the program here, but this note from North Atlanta Jazz student Dalian Bryan, one of the four scholarship recipients, really says it all. This is why the Foundation exists — to give students more of the rich learning experiences they deserve.

To the North Atlanta Foundation,

I would like to sincerely thank everyone for helping me achieve this wonderful musical experience. It was truly an experience of a lifetime. In my entire musical career, I have never worked with anyone as amazing as these teachers were. From the one-on-one time with your instrument specialist to jamming with students your age who are just as eager to learn as much as they can about jazz as you are. This was an amazing experience and more importantly, the lessons I learned from them will last a lifetime.

Sincerely yours,

Dalian Bryan

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By admin, August 23, 2010

Combined, North Atlanta High School’s 2010 graduates depart for college this fall with more than $23 million in scholarships — an all-time record. The class includes winners of some of the most prestigious college scholarship programs in the country, including Gates Millennium Scholars, National Merit Scholars, Posse Foundation Scholars, Coca-Cola Scholars and an Air Force Academy appointment. NAHS graduates also earned acceptances at a wide variety of college and university (view a list here).  As the Class of 2010 moves to the next phase of their academic careers, they will take with them academic, athletic, artistic and life-lesson experiences from their four years at NAHS.