$22M campus replaces decades-old school facility in Monroe County. See inside.

The Monroe County School District has opened the doors to its new Mary Persons High School Freshman Campus and College and Career Academy complex, marking a significant step forward for students and the broader community, the district says. The facility, which cost more than $22.8 million, was one of the first steps in addressing the district’s growing student population within its five-year facility plan, said Laura Rackley, Monroe County Schools assistant superintendent for Career, Technical and Agricultural Education and College and Career Academy CEO.

The previous Mary Persons Freshman Campus was built in 1969, showing significant signs of aging and a need for a larger, updated facility, Rackley added. Rackley said the old freshman campus will be renovated for future use. But this kind of investment builds more than bigger learning spaces. It creates pathways, supporting CTAE students as they learn, grow and prepare to succeed in the workforce.

“Every student’s path to graduation at this point is very individualized,” Rackley said. “It’s really a matter of looking at the individual needs of each student and what meets those needs the best in terms of their coursework and then planning for postsecondary options.”

The more than 76,000-square-foot facility, which welcomed students on Aug. 1, features a dedicated freshman wing and a College and Career Academy wing, seamlessly integrating academic and career-focused opportunities for about 1,380 high school students in the district, Rackley said.

Rackley clarified that the building is designed to serve all Mary Persons High School students, not just freshmen.

The campus houses various programs, including academic and occupational dual enrollment courses for juniors and seniors with instructors from Middle Georgia State University and Central Georgia Technical College. It also includes nearly two dozen CTAE pathways in fields such as welding, sports medicine and carpentry.

“Through the College and Career Academy, our district now offers 23 different CTAE pathways in addition to our advanced academic pathways, fine arts pathways and world language pathways,” Rackley said.

For students, the new campus means greater access to college courses, hands-on training and career exploration — all under one roof. Rackley noted that in prior years, students participated in dual enrollment programs but had to either travel to another campus or complete online courses.

“We just increased the accessibility of face-to-face dual enrollment to some of our students that wanted to either remain on campus or that may have had transportation barriers,” Rackley said.

Labs are equipped with the latest technology, from hospital beds and medical mannequins in the nursing aide lab to professional-grade cameras and editing suites in the audio-video, technology and film center.

Rackley said the building has been well received by students in the first two weeks of the school year, noting that some academic dual enrollment classes have already reached capacity.

The campus also houses a JROTC program.

How the new school will shape the local workforce

For the community, the new facility represents an investment in the next generation of workers, leaders and innovators, according to district officials and county leaders.

State Rep. Tangie Herring (D — Macon) who toured the campus before its opening, described the facility as “a game changer for the local workforce and for the state of Georgia.” She praised the quality and modern design of the classrooms and labs, noting that the environment is “student-focused first” and fosters both technical skills and critical thinking.

“I think it’s going to ensure that the graduates are ready to step directly into high-demand careers or pursue higher education with confidence,” Herring said. “I also think it’s going to help with the direct pipeline into filling these local industry jobs with well-trained, job-ready students who can build a future for themselves.”

Monroe County Board of Education Chairman Greg Head said the academy will be a great asset to the area.

“This Career Academy will be vital to providing specific skill sets to students. Parents may not know all the local companies that are looking for qualified people,” Head said in a statement. “...Our local hospital and our local physical therapist can acquire qualified workers from here. “

Rackley said business partners are invited to collaborate with the school through mock interviews, career fairs, guest speaking and work-based learning placements, helping to cultivate local talent and strengthen Monroe County’s economic future.

“There’s just an abundance of different ways that are mutually beneficial in the development of the students, but also in being able to grow your talent as an employer,” she said.

Monroe County Schools Superintendent Jim Finch praised the launch of the new academy.

“This facility will build upon and amplify our vision of developing students with the knowledge and skills to be successful,” Finch said in a statement. “Our mission is simple: that our students will learn, grow and succeed every day at our brand new (college and career academy).”

In December 2022, Monroe County Schools received a $3.1 million state grant to help fund the College and Career Academy. The remainder of the project was funded through Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or ESPLOST, revenue.

The school’s groundbreaking ceremony was held in March 2024, according to the district’s website.