Charles R. Drew Junior & Senior Academy
The Charles R. Drew Charter School (Drew), opened in 2000, was the first charter school in the Atlanta Public School system. The school is currently ranked first academically within the Atlanta Public School system and serves more than 1,000 students from pre-K through grade 8. Founded by the East Lake Foundation, a member of the Purpose Built Communities network, the school was launched to serve as the anchor for revitalization in the East Lake neighborhood. When Drew was founded, only 5% of 5th graders met the state’s minimum math standards. Now, over 98% of its 5th grade students meet or exceed state standards in reading, math and social sciences. LIIF’s allocation of New Markets Tax Credits is helping finance the construction of a new 200,000-square-foot educational facility and grow to include a high school. The new Charles R. Drew Junior and Senior Academy will double student population, enabling Drew to educate 2,000 students in pre-K through 12th grade. The LEED-Gold certified building will feature 14 science labs, a 500 seat performance space, a full-size outdoor track field, two gymnasiums and an outdoor amphitheater.
Project Details
- Impact
- 1,000 students served
200,000-square-foot new educational facility
485 jobs created - Financing
- $10 million New Markets Tax Credit allocation
- Partners
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- CF Foundation
- Community Affordable Housing Equity Corp.
- Charles R. Drew Charter School
- East Lake Foundation
- PNC Bank, N.A.
- Urban America Advisors
More Information
Our Education Program
Community Capital for Education
New Markets Tax Credits
