Alexander II Magnet School (Macon, Georgia)

Alexander II Magnet School is a historical public elementary school located in Macon, Georgia of the United States. It was established at the beginning of the early 20th century. The public institution provides primary education for grades K-5 as part of the Bibb County School District. The school's mission statement is "Utilizing a curriculum that is rich in math, science, and technology, we seek to motivate all students to become confident, self-directed lifelong learners."[3]

Alexander II Magnet School
Address
1156 College Street

Macon
,
Bibb
,
Georgia
31216

United States
Coordinates32°49′58″N 83°38′42″W
Information
Other namesAlexander II, Alex II
School typeState elementary magnet school
MottoOur challenge is for every student to exceed expectations.
Opened1902 (1902)
FounderElam Alexander
School districtBibb County Public School District
NCES District ID1300420[1]
NCES School ID130042000198[2]
PrincipalWalsetta Miller
GradesK-5
Websitealexii.bcsdk12.net

History

Founder

Elam Alexander (1796–1863) was an architect, entrepreneur, and founding father of the city of Macon. He became a successful businessman after permanently moving from his birthplace, Iredell County, North Carolina, to Macon in 1826.[4] For over the next 30 years, Alexander was responsible for the development of several of Macon's most iconic and historical buildings and institutions during the city's early expansion period.[5] As a strong advocate for public education within the community, Alexander funded and helped build a number of public educational institutions across Macon—later referred to as Alexander Free Schools.[6] Alexander left instructions in his will to form the Alexander Free School Board trust, later named the Elam Alexander Trust, to continue his lifelong work of promoting education throughout Bibb County.[4]

Early history

The establishment of Alexander II primary school commenced under the directive of the Alexander Free School Board at its present-day location, College Street, Macon, Georgia in 1901. After a year of construction, the school was opened to the public in the year of 1902.

Throughout the next century, the school would continue to expand and develop as a public institution with the help and funding of the Bibb County's Board of Education and the Elam Alexander Trust—Alexander Free School Board. These projects included the construction and investiture of classrooms, a school library, an auditorium, and an administrative center.[3]

Alexander II Magnet School

Three years after the United States Congress recognized the curricular classification system of magnet schools in 1976, the Alexander II officially became the very first specialized magnet school in the state of Georgia. The school re-titled itself as Alexander II Magnet School in 1979.[7]

The school was recognized as a protected and historic site by the state of Georgia when it was listed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the “Most Endangered Historic places” in June 2000. Since the beginning of the 21st century, Alexander II has been honorably recognized twice by the US Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in the years 2006 and 2015.[3][8]

Present day

Alexander II has over 500 students with a 15:9 student-to-teacher ratio.[9] The school has been placed among the top 20% of public schools in the state of Georgia for overall performance and student academic growth since 2015.[10] The school's mascot is Albert Einstein, and its motto is "Our challenge is for every student to exceed expectations." Walsetta Miller is the school's current principal.[11]

As of 2015, the demographics of the student body were 60% black/African American, 31% white, 3% Hispanic, 1% Asian, and 3% multiracial.[8]

References
  1. "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Bibb County". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  2. "Search for Public Schools - Alexander II Magnet School (130042000198)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  3. "About Alex II". bibbcountysdalexii.ss19.sharpschool.com. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  4. Butler, John C. (1986). The Alexander Free School: The Life of Elam Alexander. Macon, Georgia: J. W. Burke & Co, Printers. ASIN B0008BNO7M.
  5. Young, Ida; Gholson, Julius; Hargrove, Clara N. (1950). History of Macon, Georgia 1823-1949. Macon, Georgia: Lyon, Marshall & Brooks. ASIN B014TKOZF2.
  6. Comer, Harriet F. (1996). History of Macon: The First One Hundred Years, 1823-1923. Macon, Georgia: The Macon Telegraph. ASIN B00O08YFNQ.
  7. Steel, Lauri; Levine, Roger (1994). "Educational Innovations in Multiracial Contexts: The Growth of Magnet Schools in American Education" (PDF). Institute of Education Sciences: 256 – via eric.ed.gov.
  8. "Alexander II Math and Science Magnet School - Macon, GA". National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. U.S. Department of Education. Archived from the original on May 14, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  9. "Alexander II Magnet School". SchoolDigger. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  10. "Neighborhood Revitalization". Historic Macon Foundation. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  11. "Principal Walsetta Miller". bibbcountysdalexii.ss19.sharpschool.com. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
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