Articles - Spotlight on Education

Alexander II Magnet School
Elementary Education at It’s Best

By Jennifer Robinson

After opening its doors over a hundred years ago, Alexander II Magnet School still stands strong in the Macon area as one of Bibb County’s finest public elementary schools. Furthermore, its part in Macon’s rich history will not be diminished when the restoration of the school’s original 1902 building is complete this coming fall. 

Before the school temporarily moved to its Birch Street location a year ago, Alexander II boasted one of the oldest school buildings in the state in continuous use as a school. Beginning September 19, Alexander II will be housed in a "new" building that still contains the architectural integrity of the old structure, so the school will remain well-placed within Macon’s historic district. The new structure will contain two new classroom wings, an historic conference room, a new lunchroom and media center, and the school’s very first gym.

"We believe that good teachers can teach under a tree but are excited to be getting a beautiful modern building, computer lab, and gym," Alexander II Principal Dr. Rochelle Simms said. Simms, who earned her bachelor’s and doctorate degrees at the University of Alabama, is about to begin her fourth year as Alexander II’s principal. 

Even better, the opening of the school’s new building has allowed Alexander II to accept many more students for the 2003-2004 school year than in previous years. Simms indicated excitement about the expansion, but she hopes the larger number of students, and therefore of teachers, will not alter the strong, close-knit character of the school family.

"The challenge for us is to keep our small-school, family atmosphere while becoming a larger school," Simms said. "Our school family is characterized by enthusiasm and energy, and our new families and teachers will add to this already potent mix."

Alexander II became the first magnet school in the state of Georgia in 1979, with its curriculum’s emphasis on math and science due to the desires of the community. Since then, Alexander II has been named a Georgia School of Excellence for three years, and in recent years it has consistently ranked among the top schools in its system in both state and national test scores. The school is also committed to diversity and has maintained a racially-balanced student body since the 1970s. 

According to Simms, and proven by the school’s achievements, the school has a "tradition of strong academics that [it] strive[s] to uphold," and despite the school’s math and science emphases, test scores show that the school excels in all other areas too, including reading and writing. A full-time gifted program, called REACH, is in place to promote a "school-wide focus on challenging content" in all subjects, the school brochure says.

Students in kindergarten through sixth grade are enrolled at Alexander II, where admission is open to all Bibb County students. However, unlike non-magnet public schools, parents who want to send their children to Alexander II must fill out an application, which tends to ensure that parents will be more committed to and involved in their children’s educational experience. Simms indicated that parents are indeed an integral part of Alexander II in many different ways—one example being the school’s PTA, which Simms said "is very generous in supporting [the school’s] programs."

The staff at Alexander II is also top-notch and committed, Simms said.

"Last year more than 70% of our certified staff had a Master’s degree or higher," Simms said. "Our teachers are well-prepared in content knowledge but also very creative."

Alexander II’s science emphasis means students attend science labs twice weekly, participate in science fair projects in all grades (with individual projects done only in grades 4-6), are involved in hands-on environmental education, and receive occasional visits from local science professionals.

In addition to science, Alexander II’s curriculum stresses math, which is taught in a much more interactive, creative way than at many schools.

"Mathematics at Alexander II extends well beyond the textbook," says the school’s web site. "Math is part of everyday life, and at Alexander II students are nurtured and encouraged to become resourceful, flexible problem solvers,"

The web site also says the school works to improve math learning for students at all skill levels. With advanced math classes available for students in grades 3-6, teachers are also able to take advantage of this "pull out" in order to give more individualized attention to average or below-average math students.

Alexander II’s extracurricular opportunities include unique options as well. In addition to the usual clubs and programs, the school has a national-award-winning video news team, a chess club, Science and Math Explorers, and a technology club. 

Alexander II’s curriculum, staff, and extracurriculars reach far above average in Bibb County already, and with the new resources made available in the new building, the school’s future seems even brighter.

"It’s going to be an exciting year for us," Alexander II Office Clerk Mary Tribble said. "[The new building]’s going to be magnificent."

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