Athens Academies PreK-3

Inspiring Discovery: The Athens Academies represent an innovative approach to enhancing student engagement, deepening student learning, and enriching the student experience in a way that is profoundly meaningful for every child in our community. Through project-based, hands-on learning, students have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding and find meaning in their studies in a new way, instilling a love of learning, a thirst for curiosity, and a passion for creativity. In short, the Athens Academies seek to inspire discovery.

Our elementary academies maintain the standards of excellence parents have come to know and trust from Athens City Schools, with the added bonus of having projects and activities focused on the theme of their school. The learning experience is enhanced through hands-on, project-based learning that is incorporated into the curriculum. Each school continues to teach the Alabama standards. The difference is, these standards are now taught through academy-inspired activities designed to enrich the learning experience and inspire a love of learning and discovery. Each academy Advisory Community Council contributes to a clearly defined vision and specific details that align with the academy’s theme.

The academies serve students in grades K-3, providing them with an enriched school experience in preparation for advancing to higher grade levels. Students are surrounded by teachers who are passionate about teaching meaningful content via processes that support student engagement. They are also taught by specialists whose love of art, music, and STEM is unmistakably in every lesson. During your time at any of our elementary academies, you will share many memorable events that will support your important role as the main influencer of your child's education. Athens City School teachers view themselves as partners in the challenging and satisfying work of raising their children. The staff of each school is eager to support you and your child in every way possible.

School Choice

To honor our mission to be a progressive school district, and given the changing climate in public education, ACS has taken the initiative and is meeting the challenge of providing school choice within the existing public education framework. We believe in the merits of choice and the subsequent strengthening of our schools through the embrace of progressive options offered to our students and community. To this end, parents may apply for their student to attend any of the Athens Academies or elementary schools, regardless of zoning. 

Honoring our Heritage 

Athens City Schools is proud of the heritage of our schools. We embrace and fully acknowledge the contributions of those for whom the schools are named. James L. Cowart Elementary and Brookhill Elementary remain the official names for our elementary schools. However, each elementary school name has been incorporated with a new designation to reflect the focus of the individual academy. Just as the standards of excellence remain the same while being enhanced through the new academy concepts, so do the names of the schools. The additional identifiers are enhancements to the originals, not a replacement. Our school names are an important part of the history that defines this community. This history has shaped our community and strengthened our schools. It is the beacon that will guide us as we prepare today’s students for the future.

Academy Fundamentals

The Athens Academies are designed to enhance the traditional curriculum through experiential learning delivered through a theme focus to enrich the learning experience. The Athens Academies nurture the seeds of talent and curiosities that exist within a child naturally while still providing a first-rate education in traditional subject areas. Each academy adheres to a common set of fundamentals. 

• Academies offer a high-quality core curriculum as a strong foundation, including English, math, science, social studies, music, art & PE.
• Academies have an advisory council composed of parents, community members, faculty, and other stakeholders.
• Academies offer experiential learning opportunities infused with imagination, negotiation, questioning, and connecting to deepen student engagement.
• Academies have professional training for academy teachers to support them in delivering a high-quality thematic curriculum.

For more information or to speak with someone about the Athens Academies, please contact 256.233.6600.