5 Critical Updates: What’s New At Cleveland Avenue Elementary School For The 2025-2026 School Year
Cleveland Avenue Elementary School (CAES) is currently undergoing a significant period of transformation and renewed focus, with the start of the 2025-2026 academic year marking a new chapter in its history. As of December 2025, the school community is embracing fresh leadership and a clear set of goals designed to enhance student achievement and community involvement, all while celebrating a major victory that secured the school's future. The latest updates provide a clear picture of the strategic initiatives the school is prioritizing to ensure every student in the South Atlanta Cluster has the resources to excel.
The energy surrounding CAES is palpable, driven by a commitment from the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) and the local community to build a high-performing learning environment. From key administrative appointments to ambitious family engagement targets, the school is laying a strong foundation for shared student success, moving forward with renewed momentum following a critical decision by the Atlanta Board of Education.
New Leadership and Administration Profile
The 2025-2026 school year introduces a new administrative team poised to guide Cleveland Avenue Elementary School into its next phase of growth and development. The appointments, announced by the Atlanta Board of Education, highlight a focus on experienced leadership with a strong background in instructional excellence and community partnership.
Principal Keenya Jackson: A Focus on Literacy and Inclusive Instruction
- Role: Principal, Cleveland Avenue Elementary School (CAES)
- Appointment Date: Appointed for the 2025/2026 school year.
- Previous Experience: Dr. Jackson brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as an assistant principal in a neighboring school district.
- Professional Background: Her professional journey includes diverse roles such as a dedicated teacher, an instructional coach, and a curriculum support specialist.
- Key Focus: Dr. Jackson is recognized as a longtime APS administrator with a specific focus on enhancing literacy and promoting inclusive instruction across the curriculum.
- Vision: She is central to the school’s renewed vision for a high-performing environment where students are encouraged to love learning.
Assistant Principal Derek Cobb
- Role: Assistant Principal, Cleveland Avenue Elementary School (CAES)
- Message: Mr. Cobb has shared his enthusiasm for joining the CAES community, emphasizing his commitment to supporting students, parents, and community members.
This new leadership team, comprising Principal Keenya Jackson and Assistant Principal Derek Cobb, is tasked with implementing the school's strategic vision and driving academic improvement for all students.
The Fight for Survival: Atlanta Board of Education Rejects Closure Plan
One of the most significant and recent developments surrounding Cleveland Avenue Elementary School is its successful navigation of a contentious school consolidation debate. For the community, this decision was a major victory that secured the school's immediate future.
A Controversial Proposal
The Atlanta Public Schools (APS) had proposed a plan that involved the potential closure of several schools, including Cleveland Avenue Elementary School, Dunbar Elementary School, and Stanton Elementary School. The proposal was part of a broader strategy aimed at addressing underutilized facilities and resource allocation within the district.
Community and Board Action
The community and parents of CAES, along with other affected schools, voiced strong objections to the plan. This grassroots effort highlighted the school's importance as a central pillar of the local neighborhood. Ultimately, the Atlanta Board of Education (ABOE) rejected the plan that sought to "Unpopularize" and consolidate several elementary schools, including Cleveland Avenue. The rejection of the closure plan ensures that CAES remains open and can continue to serve its students and families in the South Atlanta Cluster.
2025-2026 Academic and Community Engagement Goals
With its future secured, CAES is now focused entirely on its mission for student success, which is heavily reliant on a strong partnership between the school and the families it serves. The school has established measurable, ambitious goals for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Targeting Shared Student Success
The school's Family Engagement Plan for Shared Student Success is a cornerstone of its strategy. This plan outlines specific initiatives to promote student learning both at school and in the home environment. The school community, including key stakeholders, was actively invited to participate in the revision of this crucial plan.
Ambitious Engagement Metric
A key performance indicator (KPI) for the school year is the increase in family engagement. The goal is to raise the family engagement percentage from 58.2% in the 2024-2025 school year to a target of 63.1% for the 2025-2026 school year. This focus underscores the administration's belief that parental and family involvement is critical for improving overall student academic outcomes and school climate.
Innovative Programs and Safety Initiatives
Cleveland Avenue Elementary is actively leveraging partnerships and funding to enhance its educational offerings and ensure a safe, supportive environment for its students. These programs reflect a holistic approach to elementary education.
Digital and STEM Enrichment
CAES has secured funding through the 'redefinED Atlanta Innovation Fund: Pandemic Education' initiative. This funding is specifically allocated to support virtual clubs, providing students with opportunities for enrichment and engagement outside of the standard classroom curriculum. Furthermore, this initiative also supports broader STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programming within the Atlanta Public Schools district, which benefits CAES students.
Early Childhood and Transition Programs
The school continues to emphasize the importance of early learning. CAES is a participant in programs like the Jumpstart initiative, which has historically provided vital summer prekindergarten transition programs. These programs are designed to give young learners a strong head start, easing their transition into the formal elementary school setting and promoting foundational literacy skills.
Focus on School Climate and Safety
Recognizing the link between a positive school climate and academic achievement, the administration is prioritizing initiatives to foster a welcoming and supportive atmosphere. The school's commitment to safety is further demonstrated by its participation in the Atlanta Department of Transportation's Safe Routes to School Action Plan, which aims to create safer, more accessible routes for students walking and biking to school.
Looking Ahead: A New Era of Excellence
The story of Cleveland Avenue Elementary School is clearly shifting from one of potential closure and uncertainty to one of renewal and determined progress. The current administration, led by Principal Keenya Jackson, is focused on ensuring that every child is achieving and excelling, regardless of external challenges or news reports.
Upcoming events, such as the planned Black History Month celebration in February 2026, serve as important cultural and educational milestones for the community. By integrating strong new leadership, clear academic and family engagement goals, and innovative programs, CAES is positioning itself as a beacon of shared student success within the Atlanta Public Schools system. The community's successful advocacy to keep the school open has injected a powerful, collective spirit into its mission, promising a vibrant and productive future for its students.
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