COLLEGE PARK – The orange, black and white balloons in the gymnasium matched the shirts of the students sitting in 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 school board members and the students.

Fulton County Schools took time during the school year to celebrate the opening of a college and career-focused high school: The Promise Career Institute (PCI). Located on Main Street, the Promise Career Institute teaches students skills in high-demand career fields such as automotive technology, diesel technology, logistics, cybersecurity and welding.

“We feel like Promise Career Institute is changing the educational landscape,” said Bell, who said PCI students come from East Point, Hapeville, the city of South Fulton, Palmetto and even Roswell. “Our goal is simple, but the path is complex. We are breaking down the barriers between education and careers.”

During a presentation held before the opening ceremony, which was rescheduled because of Tropical Storm Helene, several people spoke about what PCI means to the city and what the future of education will look like in metro Atlanta. 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, director of community affairs and strategic partnerships at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport, who announced that the airport and PCI are now “business partners.”

The airport is one of the largest employers in the state of Georgia and a majority of those jobs are in the retail sector. Paradise Lagardere, a large North American travel retail company with many stores in the airport, also sent a representative to PCI to talk about the school, its training programs and the possibility of hiring students in the near future.

“Investing in today’s youth is critical for major companies,” said DaRon Taylor, Flagship Manager of Paradies Lagardere.

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

PCI is not only changing education for students, but also for teachers. 24-year-old professional welder Nicholas Sanborn said he never thought he would be leading a class of young welders. Although his father had been a welder for over 30 years, Sanborn wasn’t on track to become a welder. Instead, he tried real estate sales and other trades. During his time at welding school, Sanborn stood out to his classmates and teachers for how attentive and detail-oriented he was. When Principal Bell contacted the school about possible teachers for PCI, Sanborn was the name that came up. And the rest is history.

PCI offers “Future Fridays,” an alternative attempt to give students more autonomy in shaping their academic calendar. On Fridays, students can choose three sessions to attend during the day. Those sessions include yearbook club and African drumming, said junior Ahmad Harris.

“Future Fridays was incredible,” Harris said. Of the school, Harris, who took the stage to speak after Sanborn, said he knew the experience would make him a better student academically.

$40 million of taxpayers’ money was invested in the construction of the former school.

“Seven years ago, this process began. Our goal was to revitalize this school, which it was and continues to be,” said Kimberly Dove, Fulton County Schools board member.

May Motley-Broom said PCI was a return to the days when educational opportunities included all learners. Addressing the students who entrusted their education to the PCI model, some of whom were in the room during the presentation, Motley-Broom said, “There’s a whole community behind you.”

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