March 22nd 2024.
After four years of hard work and determination, Kolt Bloxson finally achieved his dream of opening the Miles Ahead Charter School in the outskirts of Atlanta. The school, which Bloxson fondly refers to as a home for his "scholars," is housed in a renovated church building and offers tuition-free education for kindergarten through 8th grade students. Since its establishment in August 2023, the school has garnered widespread attention, with a rapidly growing waitlist, as reported by NBC News. With a team of 14 teachers, eight staff members, and 195 students, Miles Ahead has come a long way from its humble beginnings.
Bloxson's vision for the school was to create a nurturing space where young learners could thrive and be guided by the "High Five Habits" - Kindness, Integrity, Determination, Compassion, and Wonder. These core values were developed during the school's first board meeting and continue to be the guiding principles of Miles Ahead. At the heart of the school's philosophy is the belief in nurturing the "whole student," not just academically but also emotionally and socially.
The school's curriculum is designed to be innovative and engaging, with a focus on STEAM courses like coding, which students as young as first and second grade get to experience during the "Instructional Day." These specialized courses are facilitated by experts, giving teachers a much-needed break. As Bloxson puts it, "You have to think outside the box to make this work."
Before opening the Miles Ahead Charter School, Bloxson had spent 18 years as an educator in the Atlanta Public Schools system, with no plans of starting her own school. However, her passion for children and education drove her to embark on this new journey. In 2019, while observing the lack of quality education options for Black students in underserved communities nearby, Bloxson felt a strong calling to make a difference. "There was a growing gap that I wanted to fill," she said.
Determined to turn her vision into reality, Bloxson worked tirelessly to secure a location, assemble a board and faculty, and navigate state regulations and other obstacles. Through grants, donations, and sponsorships, she managed to raise around $1.2 million, with the help of other professionals like author Ed Miller and Henry Lust, the head of the Miles Ahead board. Lust commends the board for their role in the governance of the school and their interactions with the charter commission, association, and state.
On February 6, Miles Ahead took to social media to announce their search for educators and other MACStastic individuals to join their team, including a Founding Assistant Principal for the 2024-2025 school year. The response was overwhelming, with people from multiple counties, some even commuting over an hour, eager to be a part of the Miles Ahead family.
Thanks to its rapid growth, the school will be expanding to a second building next semester to accommodate the increasing number of students. Bloxson and her team are excited about the future of Miles Ahead and the positive impact it will continue to have on the lives of its students. With the support of the community and dedicated individuals, the school is on its way to achieving great success.
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