Boyce L. Ansley School brought Olympics back to Atlanta
The powerful and poignant smell of popcorn was overpowered only by the excitement radiating from the students of the Boyce L. Ansley School.
On Friday, August 9, the Boyce L. Ansley School—a tuition-free private institution dedicated to serving children who have experienced or are currently experiencing homelessness—partnered with Comcast for an Olympics-themed field day. The event featured various activities, such as basketball, Connect Four, and egg and sack racing, to a few. The games were scheduled to provide a break for the students at the beginning of the academic year.
For Ileana DeJesus, known affectionately as “Miss DJ,” this day held particular significance. DJ has been a third-grade teacher at the Ansley School for three years.
“Our students often carry more responsibility than a typical child would,” DeJesus said. “When they’re laughing and playing, they just actually get to be kids for this moment.”
“These are all our children, and we will all profit by or pay for whatever they become,” recited Ray James, Head of School for the Boyce. L Ansley School. James is entering his second year at the helm and recited that James Baldwin quote when speaking about the conditions that his students are subjected to. The quote is timely, coming one week after the 100th anniversary of Baldwin’s birth.
As the school year begins, James has clear hopes for the students. He wants them to start the year with joy and carry that momentum forward. “When we start doing assessments next week, I want them to go in with some energy and with some momentum of joy,” James explained. This focus on joy is not just about making school fun; it is about fostering a positive mindset that will help students navigate the challenges they face both in and out of the classroom, he said.
Kamryn Sprewer, in her first year at the Boyce L. Ansley School, joined after a conversation with Ray James, who emphasized the importance of prioritizing learning. “This is a space where not only are we doing something for the greater good of our community, but we’re also prioritizing learning,” Sprewer said, “This was exactly the professional environment I needed.”
In her second-grade classroom, Sprewer ensures that her students experience an equitable education, free from the burdens of their outside realities. “The beauty of the Ansley School is that in this classroom, it is equitable. Our students deserve all the things that every kid gets—quality education, support, and a space to just be kids,” Sprewer added. Sprewer also makes sure that her students know the importance of social-emotional learning, starting each day with discussions on emotions.
The event took place in Marietta at the Girls Inc. of Greater Atlanta gymnasium. The day was more than just fun and games; it was an opportunity for the students to experience joy and community at the start of the school year, which is crucial for their emotional and academic growth, cited James, “When students are more confident and happy, they perform better,” James shared, emphasizing the connection between emotional well-being and academic outcomes.
Mike McArdle, the Regional Senior Vice President of Comcast’s Southern Region, was present for the field day and announced that every child present would receive a brand new laptop—a moment that sent the students into an excited frenzy. “It gave me chills,” McArdle recalled, praising Ray James and his staff for their dedication and noting the students’ excitement and the positive atmosphere they helped create.
The laptops donated to the students are part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion initiative aimed at advancing digital equity and economic mobility in communities across the country, including Atlanta. “ I’ve been with a company for almost 30 years, starting as a frontline employee, and we’ve always looked to invest in the communities that we serve,” McArdle remarked.
Looking ahead, James has ambitious goals for the school year. He aims to improve the school’s ability to measure the impact of its social services, tracking progress in areas such as housing stability, transportation access, and job development for families. Academically, he is focused on collecting more robust data to provide a fuller picture of each student’s growth, emphasizing skills related to the school’s core values rather than just traditional academic metrics.
