APS Celebrates $11 Million Renovation During Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Barack and Michelle Obama Academy

Thursday, Nov. 3, marked a new trajectory at Barack and Michelle Obama Academy, as a ribbon cutting ceremony was held in honor of the recent renovations to the campus.

“It always seems impossible until it is done,” said Principal Robin Christian of Barack and Michelle Obama Academy. She repeated this phrase three times that morning as board members and stakeholders of Atlanta Public Schools gathered for the ceremony. The ribbon cutting ceremony marked the completion of the $11 million renovation project funded through E-SPLOST (Educational Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.)

Barack and Michelle Obama Academy, previously named D. H. Stanton Elementary School, is located in the heart of the Peoplestown Community, just minutes from the historic Grant Park neighborhood in downtown Atlanta.  Peoplestown is named after the Peoples family, who owned 66 lots in the southeast section of the neighborhood as it was developing in the 1890s.  It is a community with rich history and legacy.

The recent renaming and now, renovation, of the school is a mark of positive change for the staff, students, and Peoplestown community. The renovations that were celebrated include:

• 80,000 square feet of additions and reconstructions, including to the gymnasium.
• Renovation of all classrooms, administrative areas and the auditorium.
• All new furniture fixtures and equipment.
• New underground utilities, added parking, resurfacing of existing parking, hardscape associated with the new changes, and new landscaping.

Facts about Barack and Michelle Obama Academy:

2021 – 2022  Enrollment:  295 students

Grades: Pre-K through 5

Principal:  Mrs. Robin Christian

Atlanta Public Schools Region:  East

Atlanta Public Schools Cluster:  Jackson

“It is amazing to see a vision come to fruition. Earlier, I mentioned that it always seems impossible until it is done. I failed to describe the ‘it’. You are sitting in it. A school that is full of innovation and we are making it happen for our children. One thing is for sure, every BAMO student and family knows that they are loved and we expect the best. Barack and Michelle Obama Academy is now a place where it was done, it will be done and it will continue to be done,” said Principal Robin Christian.

The dynamic ceremony took place in the newly renovated auditorium. APS Superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring, members of the Atlanta Board of Education, representatives from Parrish Construction Company, students, staff, and community leaders were all in attendance.