Information Technology Solutions
The Dunbar Learning Complex
Aligning Learning to Increase Reading Proficiency
Annie E. Casey Foundation in Atlanta
Atlanta is one of two cities designated by the Annie E.
Birth Through Third Grade Strategy
Casey Foundation as a “civic site” – a place where Casey
When children learn age appropriate skills
has a long-term commitment to improving the futures of
before they enter kindergarten, they are more
at-risk children. Since 2001, Casey has focused its efforts
likely to be successful in school and beyond.
in Atlanta on five neighborhoods with high concentrations
of vulnerable children and families.
With the goal of ensuring that all young
children in NPU-V are healthy, thriving socially and
To be a catalyst to strengthen families in these
emotionally and developing on track to achieve
neighborhoods, known as Neighborhood Planning Unit V
academic success by third grade, the Atlanta Civic
(NPU-V), the Foundation has been working to promote
Site’s
programs, policies, and activities that contribute to strong,
incorporates multiple evidence-based programs for
family-supporting
Birth
Through
Third
Grade
Strategy
made
vulnerable families with young children. This
significant investments to ensure that NPU-V residents
strategy was launched in 2010 at the Dunbar
enjoy the same opportunities as are typically afforded to
Learning
residents in the region as a whole, with a specific focus on
Elementary School, a K through Grade 5 public
efforts to improve the educational achievement of
school, and the Early Learning and Literacy
children, the economic success of families and the social
Resource Center, a private center serving children
capital and economic development of the neighborhoods.
from age six weeks through Pre-K.
neighborhoods.
Casey
has
The Dunbar Learning Complex is a central facet of the
Complex,
Standards,
which
curriculum,
includes
Dunbar
assessment,
and
Civic Site’s Education Achievement efforts. Combining
instruction from Pre-K to Grade 3 are aligned and
The Early Learning & Literacy Resource Center and Paul
coordinated across the two adjoined schools to
Laurence Dunbar Elementary School under one roof, the
ensure students are reading on grade level by the
Dunbar Learning Complex seeks to ensure that NPU-V
end of third grade.
children are reading on grade level by third grade.
The Annie E. Casey
Foundation
Atlanta Civic Site
477 Windsor Street, SW
Suite 304
Atlanta, GA 30312
404.222.3660 P
404.589.1880 F
www.aecf.org/atlanta
An artist’s rendering of the entrance to the Early Learning & Literacy Resource Center which shares a facility with Dunbar
Elementary School, providing child care and support to area parents and formal and informal care providers.
The Dunbar Learning Complex
The Dunbar Learning Complex is the first adjoining
elementary school and childcare center in the Atlanta Public
School System. This allows children to attend the same
learning complex from age six weeks through fifth grade with
learning goals, curricula, and assessments aligned to
facilitate student achievement at the highest level.
Staffed
and
managed
by
Sheltering
Arms
Early
Education and Family Centers, the Early Learning and
Literacy Resource Center provides high quality care
and education to 196 children, from six weeks of age to PreK, year-round from 6:30 am - 6:30 pm. In addition to quality
child care, the ELLRC also offers a center-based Parents As
Teachers home visiting program which combines early
detection of developmental delays and health issues with
parent education and training; highly effective language and
literacy programs; parent engagement activities that target
Dunbar Elementary School students learn to use
computers in the school’s media center.
both mothers and fathers; and a System of Care health
strategy to ensure children are healthy and engaged with a
primary health care physician.
Paul Laurence Dunbar Elementary School
offers programming for children in Pre-K through Grade
5, including Pre-K to Kindergarten transition teams;
Paul Laurence Dunbar
assessments that provide timely and early identification
Elementary School
of at-risk learners; curriculum and standards that are
500 Whitehall Terrace
Atlanta, GA 30312
404.802.7950 P
aligned from Pre-K through Grade 3; professional
development
for
teachers;
family
and
community
engagement linked to improving student learning;
srt2.atlantapublicschools.us/
Domain/1036
physical health and social and emotional supports; and a
21st
Century
Community
Learning
Center
which
provides out-of-school time programs and strategies that
Sheltering Arms
focus on academic and socio-emotional outcomes.
Early Learning &
By rigorously tracking outcomes, the Atlanta Civic
Literacy Resource Center
Site will document the impact of this unique Learning
404 Fulton Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30312
404.582.9100 P
404.582.9101 F
Complex with the goal that it will help all enrolled
children achieve reading proficiency by the end of third
grade. The Civic Site also has the long term ambition
that this aligned learning program and its school-based
www.shelteringarmsforkids.com
Pre-K students at the ELLRC explore the world of reading.
Rev. 11.11.2011
childcare will be a model that can be implemented in all
APS Title I schools.