Athens City Schools is inviting the public to learn more about elementary school academies at a local forum.

The event is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Athens Intermediate School. Garner Ezell, the system’s director of curriculum and instruction, is the featured speaker.

The purpose of the meeting is to explain what the academies are, how they are being developed, why the academies are good for Athens and how the community can be a part of the process. Following the presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions and provide input on the future of the elementary landscape in Athens City.

“ACS prides itself on being a community connected by education. This progressive approach to restructure the elementary experience is visionary, and it is the defining characteristic of an innovative school district,” said a press release about the forum. “ACS believes that with the academies come great gains for our students. This transition will bring the opportunity for our students to learn, grow and develop in relevant ways that prepare them for success in the modern world.”

The plan to transition elementary schools in the district to themed academies is underway. Cowart Elementary will transition and merge with SPARK Academy beginning fall 2017. The other ACS elementary schools will open as academies in fall 2018.

The academy concept will look similar to today’s elementary schools with the fundamental difference being that the academy teaches through a specific “lens” or focus.

Standard curriculum — reading, writing, math and science — will continue to be taught.

“Each elementary will continue teaching to the standards of the Alabama Course of Study per the Alabama State Department of Education,” Superintendent Dr. Trey Holladay said. “The difference is that these standards will be taught through academy specific themes.”

Academy theme selections are being determined through a collaborative and transparent process that includes teachers, parents and community members. The district is seeking input from the community, administrators and teachers.

Over the course of the next year, Ezell said parent involvement through school specific boards would be a determining factor in how the academies will take shape. The details and possibilities are numerous, and parent board involvement will be key in shaping each academy after the themes are determined.

“We believe it is important for our community to partner with us during this transition. Right now we are dreaming big and considering what the academies could potentially look like,” he said. “It is critical that the academies be relevant, logical and make sense for our students, parents, community and regional industry interests.”

— Information for this article provided by Ginger Hickman, communications and strategic planning for Athens City Schools.