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

Augustus R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet Middle and High School
Address
1324 Laney-Walker Blvd. Augusta, Georgia Augusta, Georgia, Richmond, 30901 United States
Coordinates	33°27′57″N 81°58′54″W
Information
Type	Public magnet specializing in health science and engineering studies
Motto	Dawn of a New Age
Established	1937 (as junior high school) 1980 (as magnet high school)
School district	Richmond County School System
Principal	LaMonica Lewis
Grades	7–12
Enrollment	463
Campus type	urban
School Color(s)	Purple and white
Sports	tennis, soccer, volleyball, golf, track, and cross country
Mascot	Panther
Nickname	Panthers and Lady Panthers
Accreditation(s)	Georgia Accrediting Commission Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
GHSGT Average	99%
Partners in Education	Medical College of Georgia
Website	A. R. Johnson Magnet School

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

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 the state of Georgia, regularly ranking among the top three best schools in the state.^{[citation needed]}

Awards and recognition

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

History

The school opened in 1892 as Mauge Street Grammar School, taking on the name A.R. Johnson Junior High School in 1937. 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 a examination school. In 1980-81, A. R. Johnson Junior High School became “A. R. Johnson Health Professions High School”. Under its new name, the school served as a pilot program, using funds from a Magnet Implementation/Planning Grant. [1] In 1984, feasibility studies were undertaken to introduce an engineering program at the school, which went ahead in 1985.

On September 7, 2008, the school opened a new building that includes an open-air cafeteria, and observatory deck that overlooks the school's library, and its first elevator. The new building features a dome skylight and modern layouts. The old gymnasium was converted into an auditorium. The expansion project of the school will be completed in the fall of 2008. Seventh and Eighth graders will start attending the school in August 2009.

Namesake

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

A.R. Johnson's Mascot

The school's mascot is the panther. When referring to their sports members, the male team is known as simply the Panthers while the female team is known as the Lady Panthers. During the latter half of the 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 finished and 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

HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) Literary Competition Team Math Team Academic Decathlon Team Video Team Ecology Club TSA (Technology Student Association) NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) Foreign Languages Club Golf Team

Soccer Team Tennis Team Track Team Cross Country Team Volley Ball Team Prom Committee Ring Committee Chorus Yearbook/Journalism Staff Student Council Art Club

Notable alumni

Name	Class year	Notability	References
Jessye Norman		opera singer (attended A.R. Johnson Junior High School)

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 Mrs. Deborah Walker. The Alma Mater is as follows:

“

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

• Health Sciences
• Engineering

External links

• A. R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet High School
• Gravesite of Prof. Augustus Robertson Johnson