Atlanta Autism School Cumberland Academy of Georgia Begins School Year with New Entrance and Improvements
Atlanta, Georgia (PRWEB) August 24, 2016 -- Students at Cumberland Academy of Georgia, an Atlanta special-needs school, were welcomed with new and improved facilities when they arrived for the first day of school on August 11. This summer, the school had a new, covered portico constructed at the entrance of the building. Additionally, landscaping was added to accentuate the new entrance, improved stainless steel bathroom stalls were added, classrooms have been painted, progress is being made to renovate and transform the school’s kitchen, and a new sign is being commissioned for the school’s roadside entrance.
“The portico completely changes the look and feel of the front elevation,” says Debbi Scarborough, founding director at Cumberland Academy of Georgia. The covered entrance will allow children to stay dry when crossing the 20 foot stretch between the curb and the door when being dropped off or picked up on rainy days. “Some of the students have sensory issues, so it’s a big deal for them to avoid getting wet during the rain.”
When planning the portico’s construction, Cumberland intended for it to be a last. The roof of the portico is made of weather-proof galvanized steel with a baked on color finish that will be maintenance-free for 30 years. The walkway into the building will be a slip-resistant, epoxy-coated faux marble. As an element of fun and school pride, they chose to use the school’s colors, blue and white, for the walkway. Landscaping was installed to accentuate the new entryway and further beautify the school’s front elevation.
Funding for the portico addition comes from Cumberland’s “Our Home, Their Future” Capital Campaign. As a private, non-profit school, Cumberland depends on charitable contributions to fund special projects like this, allowing them to continue to be a special school for special students. So far this year, Cumberland has met about 50 percent of their funding goal.
The school’s large kitchen renovation is another special project currently underway at the school. The project, entitled, “What’s Cooking,” will transform the kitchen space into a “living laboratory” to help teach the children how to be independent adults, and learn skills like basic cooking, laundry and how to change bedding. Still in the planning stages, the changes and upgrades to the kitchen will be unique compared to any other school. Once complete, it will allow students to practice and nurture valuable life skills. Typically not included in school curriculum, Cumberland Academy of Georgia implements many programs such as this to help their special need students thrive.
Cumberland Academy of Georgia specializes in the needs of students with autism, Asperger’s syndrome, attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other learning disabilities. Fully accredited by both the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Georgia Accrediting Commission (GAC), Cumberland Academy serves over 100 students in grades 4 through 12, and also offers a postgraduate year.
For more information about Cumberland Academy of Georgia, go to http://cumberlandacademy.org/. Donations to Cumberland Academy of Georgia are accepted at the school’s website, https://cumberlandacademy.org/support/donate/.
About Cumberland Academy of Georgia:
Cumberland Academy of Georgia specializes in the needs of students in grades 4 through 12 who have high-functioning autism, Asperger’s syndrome, attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities. Cumberland was founded in 2007 by Debbi and Matthew Scarborough, and is a fully-accredited, independent, non-profit school that seeks to provide a safe and supportive academic atmosphere for its students. Cumberland accepts applications year-round. To schedule a family tour, please contact Terri Brooks, director of admissions, at 404-835-9000, or email admissions(at)cumberlandacademy(dot)org.
Deedra Hughes, Cumberland Academy of Georgia, http://cumberlandacademy.org/, +1 (404) 848-0487, [email protected]
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