Class act

Today marks the start of a new school year in Richmond County, and pupils at Hornsby Elementary School have the chance to make the first mark on a new school building.

Construction crews completed the new school at Sand Bar Ferry Road and Kentucky Avenue about two weeks ago. The two-story building replaces the Laney-Walker Boulevard location where Hornsby pupils attended class for 49 years.

Principal Ruby Stewart said the new school has larger classrooms, including art and music rooms; additional pupil restrooms; and teacher workrooms that were lacking at the old school. The new school also has an improved media center, gymnasium and cafeteria.

Mrs. Stewart said a new building can help improve student achievement.

"We are happy to be in this school," she said. "It was time for some change."

The school has classroom space for 450 pupils, but Mrs. Stewart expects only 306 to enroll this year. Three classrooms on the second floor will sit empty.

Mrs. Stewart hopes the new facilities will help teachers and administration continue to address problems.

"I think it's going to grow more than anything else," she said.

Hornsby was taken off the federal "needs improvement" list this year. For the second year in a row, the school made adequate yearly progress, a standard used to measure school achievement.

For the first day of school, Mrs. Stewart said she is concerned about bus drop-offs and other logistics.

Pupils will have a chance to tour the school, but she doesn't want teachers to waste time when it comes to beginning lesson plans.

The school's 18 teachers prepared classrooms last week.

"I think with a new school it will bring great results," said Bridget Lester, a second-grade teacher who began teaching at Hornsby in November. "It will bring a positive attitude."

Reach Meg Mirshak at (706) 828-2946 or meg.mirshak@augustachronicle.com.