New Science, Performing Arts Annex Added In DeKalb County School

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — A new performing arts annex is now open at a DeKalb County School District charter school, and ready for students to use it when school returns Aug. 2.

DeKalb Agriculture, Technology and Environment, Inc. (D.A.T.E.) celebrated the grand opening of its S.T.E.A.M. annex — which stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics — last month, according to a news release from the district.

The new annex offers an auditorium, band rooms and additional science spaces to execute labs, musical performances and practices. D.A.T.E. serves 750 students between kindergarten and eighth grade, with a focus on technological studies and environmental sciences.

“It feels rewarding [to see it] because now I know that our kids have many opportunities to grow in the areas of S.T.E.A.M, and they’re not confined by the physical constraints of a building,” D.A.T.E. Headmaster/CEO Maury Wills said. “Now they have many more opportunities to exercise their talents in S.T.E.A.M.”

The academy, located in Stone Mountain, is named after George A. Jones, who has served on the school's board of directors for 14 years, the release said. He is currently the board president.

“We’re so excited and thrilled. It’s nothing like face-to-face learning and face-to-face interaction,” he said. “We can’t wait for them to get back so that we can continue the rigor and relevance of learning.”

You can view a photo gallery of the grand opening on DeKalb County School District's Flickr page here.

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