Phoenix High School at Sugarloaf Mills is a unique program designed to serve students who are committed to finishing their education but need additional support and are interested in working while they go to school. This program is an extension of Gwinnett County Public Schools’ (GCPS) very successful Phoenix High School. Located at Sugarloaf Mills off of I-85, this new program will offer unique work-based learning options for students. The Sugarloaf Mills program, which is the result of a partnership with Simon Youth Foundation, is designed to be small, allowing more individualized support for each student and supporting students as they transition to the workplace or to college.

Phoenix HS opened in 1988 to provide a non-traditional high school setting for Gwinnett students who were struggling academically during their high school experience. While any GCPS high school student can attend Phoenix, it has helped a number of students who have fallen behind in their credits, dropped out, or have experienced life circumstances that have impacted their educational progress. The location in Lawrenceville serves over 500 full-time students and a number of part-time students working to get back on track. The program at Sugarloaf Mills is a perfect match for students who may be interested in attending Phoenix but want to attend school closer to home or may need the tailored education or work-based learning provided.

Students should have completed 14 high school credits and be at least 16 years old.

Students who attend this program will receive personalized support but will not have access to specialized services like ESOL, Gifted, or Special Education classes.

Students who:

• are working or are seeking work placement
• interested or needing flexible hours for learning
• will engage with teachers in the learning process

Phoenix High School at Sugarloaf Mills will be located at Sugarloaf Mills Mall, located at I-85 and Sugarloaf Parkway. The mall is centrally located in the county and is on the Gwinnett County Transit bus line.

One of the focus areas for this program is work-based learning. By forming key partnerships with businesses within or close to the mall, students will be supported in their workplace experiences and as they transition to careers after high school. While working is not a requirement for students, we anticipate this option will be a bonus for students who need or want to work.

Yes. This program is focused on preparing students for college and careers. Therefore, it is natural that some students will want to benefit from the many programs offered at Maxwell HS of Technology.

The diploma earned by students will be a GCPS high school diploma from Phoenix HS. Some students may be able to earn additional certifications due to their course of study.

Yes. Students will graduate with a GCPS diploma and must meet all graduation requirements just as they would at Phoenix HS or any other GCPS high school.

While the Sugarloaf Mills program is a first in Georgia, SYF currently has 42 successful programs around the nation. SYF also provides extensive scholarship opportunities for students and grants for program improvements. And, SYF has formed partnerships with other corporations to provide work-based and other learning opportunities for students.

No, but students will have access to breakfast and/or lunch through a grab-n-go model offered through the district’s School Nutrition Program. Students also may choose eating options within the mall at their own expense.

The space was designed to match the academic programs and needs of its students so it has several special features:

• Large, open, and flexible space with non-traditional furniture to allow for different learning spaces within the larger room
• Extensive access to technology for blended online classes
• Location of the program in Sugarloaf Mills Mall

The curriculum will be the same— Gwinnett’s AKS— as what is taught at other Gwinnett high schools. However, the experience for participating students will be different. The smaller, more personalized teaching and learning environment and the work-based learning component will uniquely prepare students for college and career.

In Gwinnett County Public Schools, the Academic Knowledge and Skills (commonly called the AKS) is a rigorous curriculum that prepares students for college and 21st century careers in a globally competitive future. Students who attend Phoenix High School at Sugarloaf Mills will learn and demonstrate mastery of the AKS just like other Gwinnett students, but they will experience the AKS in an innovative and transformational way.