Frederick Douglass STEAM Academy

The Frederick Douglass STEAM Academy is a proposed private school to be housed in the former Zamora Shrine Center at 3521 Ratliff Road in Irondale, near the intersection of I-459 and I-20. The school was founded by Clarence Smith as part of a family project, and aims to provide increased access to science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics programs for disadvantaged youth.

The school anticipates opening in 2022. Smith hopes to secure support from corporate partners to expand the program in the future.

References

• Van der Bijl, Hanno (October 12, 2020) "Details emerge on plans for Zamora Shrine Center after recent sale." Birmingham Business Journal