Fulton County Schools celebrates opening Promise Career Institute

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Promise Career Institute Principal Dr. Yalanda Bell speaks during a morning presentation before a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.

Credit: Donnell Suggs / The Atlanta Voice

COLLEGE PARK — The orange, black, and white balloons in the gymnasium matched the shirts being worn by the students sitting on the bleachers at the new high school on Main Street. So did the jacket and skirt of the school’s principal, Dr. Yalanda Bell. Wednesday morning was a special day for Bell, her staff, local politicians, Fulton County Schools board members, and the students.

Fulton County Schools took a moment during the academic year to celebrate the opening of what is being described as a college and career-focused high school, The Promise Career Institute (PCI). Located on Main Street, Promise Career Institute students are taught skills in high-demand career fields, such as automotive technology, diesel technology, logistics, cyber security, and welding, for example.

“We feel like Promise Career Institute is changing the landscape of education,” said Bell, who said students at PCI are coming from East Point, Hapeville, City of South Fulton, Palmetto, and as far away as Roswell. “Our goal is simple, but the road is complex. We are breaking down barriers between education and the workforce.”

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Promise Career Institute (PCI) junior Ahmad Harris (above) spoke about his experience at PCI during a morning presentation. “I know this experience will absolutely make me better,” he said.

Credit: Donnell Suggs / Atlanta Voice

During a presentation, which took place before the indoor ribbon-cutting, which was scheduled that way due to tropical storm Helene, a number of people spoke about what PCI means to the city, and the future of education in metro Atlanta. Those speakers included College Park Mayor Bianca Motley-Broom, College Park Zone 2 Superintendent Dr. Jason Stamper, Atlanta Technical College President Dr. Victoria Seals, Fulton County Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney, and Tracy Gilbert, the Director of Community Affairs of Strategic Partnerships at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport, who announced the airport and PCI were now “business partners.”

The airport is one of the largest employers in the state of Georgia and a large amount of those jobs are on the retail side. Paradies Lagardere, a major North American travel retail company with many locations inside the airport, also sent representation to PCI to speak about the school, its training programs, and the potential to hire students in the near future.

“Investing in today’s youth is crucial for big business,” said DaRon Taylor, Paradies Lagardere Flagship Manager. 

Taylor added that engaging with the students at PCI is a way to both build brand loyalty and retention. Guests also included College Park City Councilman Joe Carn and Palmetto Mayor Teresa Thomas-Smith.

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Promise Career Institute is located in the heart of College Park on Main Street.

Credit: Donnell Suggs / The Atlanta Voice

PCI is not only changing education for students, but for teachers as well. 24-year-old professional welder Nicholas Sanborn said he didn’t think he would ever be in charge of a classroom of young welders. Despite his father being a welder for over three decades, Sanborn wasn’t on track to be a welder, he tried selling real estate and other careers instead. While attending welding school, Sanborn would help his classmates and instructors noticed his attentiveness and dedication to detail. When Principal Bell reached out to the school about potential instructors for PCI, Sanborn was the name that was brought forth. And the rest is history. 

PCI has “Future Fridays”, which is an alternative attempt at giving students more autonomy over their academic calendar. On Fridays, students get to pick three sessions they can take part in during the day. Those sessions include yearbook club and African drumming, said junior Ahmad Harris.

“Future Fridays have been amazing,” Harris said. About the school, Harris, who took the stage to speak after Sanborn, said he knew this experience would make him a better student academically. 

$40 million of taxpayer funds were invested into the construction of the school, which was a former school. 

“Seven years ago this process started. Our journey was to revitalize what this school was and continues to be,” Fulton County Schools board member Kimberly Dove said. 

May Motley-Broom said PCI is a return to the time when educational options included all learners. To the students who entrusted their education to the PCI model, some of whom were in the room during the presentation, Motley-Broom said, “You have an entire community rooting for you.”

This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with The Atlanta Voice.