ATLANTA (WUPA) — The theme for the Atlanta Public Colleges State of the District occasion on January 19, 2023, was “Mission Potential: 2036.” Superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring shared how expertise and partnerships play a task within the district’s imaginative and prescient to create a vivid future for Okay-12 college students.

APS, which is celebrating a 150-year historical past, held the occasion at Illuminarium Atlanta, the place Dr. Herring mentioned the objective was to showcase expertise that mirrors what college students are studying within the classroom. Earlier than delivering her State of the District speech, college directors, companions, and college students took half in an immersive expertise that included robotic greeters, laser photographs, and digital actuality actions.

“This sort of expertise makes it doable. That is doable. That is Mission Potential 2036,” mentioned Herring, including the intent is to spark change and encourage everybody concerned within the course of of making a Twenty first-century training, whereas additionally spotlighting the students.

College students referred to as it an eye-opening expertise and mentioned modifications they want to see.

“Pupil engagement is one factor that must be at an all-time excessive proper now, particularly with every little thing they’re investing towards it,” mentioned Angelo Winfrey, a senior at Frederick Douglass Excessive College.

Extra {dollars} are required past what town supplies to bridge the digital and financial divides.

“I am very optimistic. It begins with management. It begins with the folks within the room,” mentioned FeFe Useful, the founder and govt director of Web page Turners Make Nice Learners, which companions with APS and supplies experiences and assets to encourage kids to learn. “Whenever you hear the Microsoft and the Nikes are coming in, you may’t assist however assume it’s doable,” concerning the mission and different APS companions.

“What I take away for my college is, how can I innovate, not only for the youngsters, however for the group,” mentioned Scott Elementary Principal Langston Longley.

APS can also be celebrating an growing commencement price, which is now at 84%, whereas going through the challenges of addressing COVID studying loss, psychological well being, and teenage violence head-on.

“We have executed a summer season educational restoration academy for the final two, now three summers, the place 11,000 college students are taking part,” mentioned Herring.

She says her imaginative and prescient for the longer term will probably be completed by inspiration, innovation, funding, and implementation, and says it should take greater than a village and a restricted college price range to make it occur.

“We will not do this alone, as a result of it requires companions and companies to assist us shut that hole,” she mentioned.

Herring mentioned the district is hoping for extra companions, mentors, and internships to ensure the mission is feasible for the subsequent generations.