Students, staff and supporters celebrated the newly expanded facilities of the Clarksdale Collegiate Public Charter School recently.
The morning began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorating the completion of its newly renovated campus. The event also honored the community of individuals and organizations supporting the school’s ambitious growth and facility expansion.
Amanda Johnson, executive director of the Charter School, explained that the meaning of the day was even broader than the event. “This day is a symbol for all of the hard work that so many have given for this school,” she said.
The event featured remarks by local leaders, including Clarksdale Mayor Chuck Espy, Aurelia Jones-Taylor, CEO of the Aaron E. Henry Community Health Services Center, and Jon Levingston, executive director of the Crossroads Economic Partnership.
Mayor Espy described a tour of the city that he and Levingston provided for out-of-state business leaders and the congressional delegation from Mississippi. Learning about the Charter School seized the attention of the visitors, who explained that Clarksdale’s diversity of education options was appealing.
Espy also spoke to the courage of Johnson in launching and leading the Charter School. “It takes a lot to get to this day,” he added. “A lot of politicians have difficulty facing the challenges that came with bringing this day to fruition. It’s hard to be a leader. But what I want to commend Mrs. Johnson on today is something very difficult.”
After remarks by Levingston and Espy, a group of the school’s scholars stood before the crowd and recited the school’s Affirmation:
"I am a scholar."
"I will work hard."
"I will be nice."
"I will stay safe."
"I will demonstrate urgency."
"Today and every day."
"Because I matter."
"Because you matter."
"I am a scholar and a future college graduate."
The day of celebration continued with an evening reception, also on campus. The reception featured scholar-led facility tours along with delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres. Legendary Mississippi Delta Blues performer James “Super Chikan” Johnson provided live entertainment. Super Chikan enjoyed the dual roles as both the entertaining musician and the proud grandparent of a Charter School scholar.
Clarksdale Collegiate opened in 2018 with 150 scholars in Kindergarten through 2nd grade. In its founding year, the school began working toward its ambitious mission in an existing church facility and added temporary modular buildings as enrollment grew. The expanded facilities will allow the school to serve 525 scholars as it grows. Clarksdale Collegiate’s tremendous growth is possible due to the additional space gained as a result of this facility project.
The recent facility expansion has given great reasons for the celebration. The campus now boasts over 43,000 square feet of space for the school to pursue its mission. The changes have provided the young scholars with a spacious school library, two equipped science labs, a renovated multipurpose room for indoor play, new classrooms and shared spaces, a brand new cafeteria, updated technology in all rooms, and more – all designed to more than meet the needs of the school community.
For Johnson, the festivities celebrated one thing above all others. “And this day is about growth. We have been growing, and this event is a testament to the great success in educating these children.”
