Excitement builds for Macon Charter Academy’s new facility debut

Parents, students and teachers flooded into Macon Charter Academy’s new facility Sunday to gander at the freshly built classrooms.

Instruction in the new building was postponed for the first three weeks of class, which were held at the Macon Coliseum, while the construction was completed.

Now, many are enthusiastic for MCA’s first day at the new location Monday.

Kayla Simpson, a first-grade teacher for MCA, said teaching at the Coliseum was “humbling experience.”

That experience, she said, has made moving in “so much more enjoyable.”

“It definitely was tough [at the Coliseum], but we made do,” the first-year teacher said.

Parents and students looked on with amazement as teachers put the finishing touches on setting up their classrooms.

“Yesterday it took me quite a while to set up tables, and now we’ve just been unpacking and trying to organize,” Simpson said.

Charles Rutland, MCA co-founder, said MCA can’t be capped or put in a bottle.

“MCA nation is here and we’re happy to receive them,” he said.

Rutland said, for him, MCA represents hope, renaissance and resurrection for the community.

Brenda Sutton, who has a grandchild attending MCA, said she’s excited for this “new opportunity” for “the best education” for the children of Macon-Bibb.

Willie Dumas, who has two grandchildren attending MCA, said he’s glad to finally have a school that’s going to meet the needs of children for the future.

“We’re looking forward to a great year, and years to come,” he said.

To contact writer David Schick, call 744-4382 or find him on Twitter@davidcschick.

This story was originally published August 23, 2015 at 9:44 PM with the headline "Excitement builds for Macon Charter Academy’s new facility debut ."