Clarksdale Collegiate Public Charter School, a growing K-5 public charter school, hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
The event will celebrate the completion of its newly constructed and newly renovated campus and the incredible community of individuals and organizations who supported its ambitious growth and dream of new facilities becoming a reality.
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.
With over 43,000 square feet of campus, Clarksdale Collegiate scholars are able to enjoy 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.
“The campus is more than a dynamic new space, it’s a symbol of the growth and ambition of our school community and the remarkable dedication that staff, scholars, and families have displayed over the last three years,” said Amanda Johnson, Executive Director of Clarksdale Collegiate. “This space is part of founding and growing a school that will serve the needs of scholars and the community, a space where our scholars, team, and families feel welcome and supported in achieving their goals.”
At the start of the 2021-2022 school year, Clarksdale Collegiate was fully enrolled, serving more than 450 scholars in Kindergarten through fifth grade and their families. Despite the challenges that remain in light of the global pandemic, the Clarksdale Collegiate team has remained focused on creating a structured, ambitious, and jubilant school atmosphere that prepares scholars to succeed in high school and in college.
Marilyn Payne, a founding teacher at the school, reflected on what the new campus means for the Clarksdale community: “This is an innovative and inviting space for the children. It’s nice to see something new because we haven’t had a new elementary school building in the community in many, many years-- having a new building means our community is growing and expanding, and it signals a better future for our families and our children.”
The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will feature remarks from the school leadership, board members, community partners, and founding parents. It will also include memorial dedications of spaces on campus for Henry Archer, a former founding staff member, Cartravious Brown, Jr., a former class of 2032 scholar, and Columbus L. Abrams, Jr., who his family has decided to honor with a donation to Clarksdale Collegiate. The ceremony will be streamed live on the school’s Facebook Page.
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the celebration will continue in the evening with a ticketed event at the school that will include live music by James “Super Chikan” Johnson, scholar-led facility tours, heavy hors d'oeuvres, and a presentation & celebration. The celebration event will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase for $25 online or at the door.
Clarksdale Collegiate envisions a Mississippi Delta in which all scholars are inspired towards, work for, and are equipped to successfully obtain a college degree or further education and opportunities, and we envision that work starting with access to a high-quality K-8 educational foundation, ensuring all children are firmly and measurably on the path to high school success and college graduation.
Clarksdale Collegiate Public Charter School is a Mississippi public school that prepares scholars in the Mississippi Delta to excel in high school and college by providing rigorous instruction within a structured, ambitious, and jubilant school community. Find more information at clarksdalecollegiate.org.
