A. R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet High School

Augustus R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet Middle and High School is a public seven-year magnet school in downtown Augusta, Georgia, United States, drawing students from grades six through twelve from all parts of Richmond County.

Augustus R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet Middle and High School
Address
1324 Laney Walker Boulevard

Augusta
,
Georgia
30901

United States
Coordinates33°27′57″N 81°58′54″W
Information
TypePublic magnet specializing in health science and engineering studies
Motto"Dawn of A New Age"
Established1937 (as junior high school)
1980 (as magnet high school)
School districtRichmond County School System
PrincipalCharlie Tudor III
Teaching staff42.50 (FTE)[1]
Grades6–12
Enrollment698 (2018–19)[1]
Average class size20
Student to teacher ratio16.42[1]
Campus typeUrban
Color(s)Purple and white
   
SportsTennis, soccer, volleyball, golf, track, and cross country
MascotPanther
NicknamePanthers and Lady Panthers
AccreditationGeorgia Accrediting Commission
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools[2]
GHSGT average100%
NewspaperThe Panther Print
Partners in EducationMedical College of Georgia
WebsiteA. R. Johnson Magnet School

Academics

A. R. Johnson is accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Aside from the standard college preparatory academic courses, Johnson offers specialized training in health sciences and engineering, and the opportunity for vocational training and dual high school/college enrollment for health science students. The school has consistently been regarded as one of the best in Georgia, regularly ranking among the top three best schools in the state.

Awards and recognition

The school received the Blue Ribbon Award in 2003 and received the 2005, 2006, and 2007 Georgia Achievement Platinum Award. In 2007 and 2009, it received a silver medal and was listed as one of the top schools in the nation by US News & World Report.[3]

History

The school opened in 1892 as Mauge Street Grammar School, taking on the name "A. R. Johnson Junior High School" in 1937.[4] From 1945 to 1949, it served as a senior high school, and in 1956 a new building was erected to serve as the junior high school. In 1980, the school was established as an examination school. In 1980–81, A. R. Johnson Junior High School became "A. R. Johnson Health Professions High School". Under its new name, it served as a pilot program, using funds from a Magnet Implementation/Planning Grant.[5] In 1984, feasibility studies were undertaken to introduce an engineering program at the school, which began in 1985.

On September 7, 2008, the school opened a new building that included an open-air cafeteria, an observatory deck overlooking the school's library, and its first elevator.[6] The new building featured a dome skylight and modern layouts. The old gymnasium was converted into an indoor grow house. The expansion project was completed in 2008, and seventh and eighth graders began attending the school in August 2009. In 2015 a new wing was added for sixth graders, in August 2015 sixth graders began attending.

Namesake

The school is named for Augustus Roberson Johnson (1853–1908), an African American teacher in Augusta during the late 19th century.[7]

A. R. Johnson's mascot

The school's mascot is the panther. Male sports teams is known as the Panthers, and female teams are known as the Lady Panthers. During the latter half of the 2008–2009 school year, a mural of the mascot was painted on the wall on the hall nearest the office at the front of the building. It is visible from the street. The mural was painted and initially sketched by a student from the class of 2009, Corey Harris.

Student activities

Athletics

Unlike other local magnet schools C.T. Walker and Davidson, Johnson participates in several district competitive sports, among them track, cross country, soccer, golf, tennis, and volleyball. The school does not participate in the more traditional high school sports of football, basketball, and baseball.

Clubs

Alma mater

A. R. Johnson's Alma Mater was written by Mr. Kimble's senior English class. The music was composed by A. R. Johnson Principal Deborah Walker.

Alma Mater

We are the hopes of tomorrow.
We are the dreams of today.
We are the students of Johnson.
We are leaders of the way.
Along life's road we'll travel,
First together and then alone,
But never shall we forget the days
When we started out as one.

Purple and White, Royal and Pure,
To you dear Johnson
We shall always be true.

We'll remember Johnson to the end,
The times we shared, the plans we made.
The laughter, the joy, and the tears
Our gain – our loss – our fears.
An institution of learning, an institution of care
An institution of love – that taught us all to share.

Purple and White, Royal and Pure,
To you dear Johnson

We shall always be true.

See also

References
  1. "Johnson Magnet". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  2. Institution Summary, AdvancED, Retrieved 2012-07-11
  3. "Education Center – US News Education".
  4. "A. R. Johnson Health Science & Engineering Magnet High School]". Archived from the original on 2012-02-29.
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-02-29. Retrieved 2008-02-26.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. Gelpi, Greg (2007-09-08). "New A.R. Johnson building brings light, space". The Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-10-12.
  7. "Schools' names provide history 020507 – The Augusta Chronicle".
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