New Construction Lab Brings New College and Career Opportunities to Alonzo A. Crim High School Students

crimribboncutting — APS Superintendent Meria Carstarphen led the Crim Ribbon Cutting alongside Atlanta Board of Education members Cynthia Briscoe Brown and Steven Lee. They are joined by Crim staff, construction students and partners from Parrish Construction and Batson Cook Construction.

Ninth grader Brandon Zimmerman was in search of a high school that offered him a small learning environment and the opportunity to learn skills that would prepare him for college and a career. He found that environment and so much more at Alonzo A. Crim Open Campus High School and the construction program. Zimmerman shared some of his goals and his story at the March 28 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the new construction lab at Crim. Zimmerman hopes the construction program and the new construction lab will be a springboard to a career as a construction manager and developer.

The construction lab is made possible by the sponsorship of Batson-Cook and Parrish Construction with approximately $50,000 in support and over 600 man hours. The lab includes numerous specialized saws, a drill press, air compressors, disc and belt sanders, electrical equipment, plumbing tools, and masonry supplies that are used in the construction industry every day. Spotted all around the Crim campus are several picnic tables that have been built by the students and are available for the community to purchase.

“We are so grateful for our partners and the support of the district to make this learning opportunity possible for Crim students,” said Dawn Parker, principal of Crim. “Our students are learning to do real work. They are building cabinets and furniture. They are learning about safety and gaining skills that will help them have successful careers in the future.”

Construction is one of the fastest growing sectors in this region. Students like Brandon who participate in the construction program will be able to earn an industry credential in construction, get exposure to the construction industry, and receive dual enrollment credits through the Atlanta College and Career Academy at Atlanta Technical College and even earn an associate’s degree while in high school.

“The construction pathway, along with our new construction lab and the support of our partners, has the potential to transform the lives of our Crim construction students,” Parker said.