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{{Infobox Bham School
{{Infobox Bham School
|name          =Epic Elementary School
|name          =Epic Elementary School
|image          =
|image          =[[File:EPIC School logo.png|175px]]
|established    = 1980
|established    = 1980
|closed          = present
|closed          = present
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|cluster      =  
|cluster      =  
|grades        =K-5
|grades        =K-5
|principal      =Vicki Stokes
|principal      =Petra Leonard
|enrollment    =482
|enrollment    =482
|enroll-year    =2012
|enroll-year    =2012
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}}
}}


'''Epic Elementary School''' (sometimes known as '''EPIC School''' or '''Epic Alternative Elementary School''') is an elementary school in the [[Birmingham Public School System]] that is located at 1000 [[10th Avenue South]], adjacent to [[Bessie Estelle Park]] in the [[Glen Iris]] neighborhood. The name is an acronym for "Educational Program for the Individual Child".
'''Epic Elementary School''' (sometimes known as '''EPIC School''' or '''Epic Alternative Elementary School''') is an elementary school in the [[Birmingham Public School System]] that is located at 1000 [[10th Avenue South]], adjacent to [[Bessie Estelle Park]] in the [[Glen Iris]] neighborhood. The name was originally an acronym for "'''E'''ducational '''P'''lanning for '''I'''nstructional '''C'''omplex", which was later recast as "'''E'''ducational '''P'''rogram sfor the '''I'''ndividual '''C'''hild".


The school was founded in partnership with the [[UAB School of Education]] and serves as a training center for teachers. The curriculum focuses on creating individualized learning plans for students, including those considered "gifted" and those with disabilities. The pilot program, funded by a three-year federal grant, was housed at [[Glen Iris Elementary School]] beginning with the [[1973]]-[[1974]] academic year. Although the program was intended to maintain a 50/50 balance of white and black students, the inclusion of the rest of Glen Iris's students changed the racial makeup of the program.
The program was founded in [[1972]] as a partnership between the city school system and the [[UAB School of Education]] under the direction of [[Roland Terrell]]. The intent of the program was to determine the extent to which a diverse, barrier-free classroom could be a benefit to instruction, and, conversely, the extent to which individualized instruction is important to attain educational goals. The curriculum for "typical and atypical students" was developed by groups of teachers, parents and students working together.  


In [[1980]] the EPIC program moved to a new modern building designed by [[Pedro Costa]], with color-coded walls for each grade level and abundant natural lighting. All students were taught sign language and the music classroom included special construction to transmit vibrations through the floor for the benefit of the hearing impaired. The school also housed a small animal menagerie and a well-stocked library.
The pilot program, funded by a three-year federal grant, was originally to be implemented at [[Lane Elementary School]] at the start of the [[1973]]-[[1974]] academic year, and to approximate a 50/50 balance of white and black students. After the decision was made to move it to [[Glen Iris Elementary School]], the predominantly white enrollment there changed the racial makeup of the program.


The current principal is [[Vicki Stokes]].
EPIC School also serves as a training center for teachers, and continues to foster the creation of individualized learning plans for students, including those considered "gifted" and those with disabilities.
 
The program began working with architect [[Pedro Costa]] in [[1976]]. He developed an open plan for a free-flowing school which accommodated small-scale "theaterettes", "satellite libraries", and outdoor classrooms. The new building also featured color-coded walls for each grade level and abundant natural lighting. Students moved into the new building in [[1980]].
 
All students were taught sign language and the music classroom included special construction to transmit vibrations through the floor for the benefit of the hearing impaired. The school also housed a small animal menagerie and a well-stocked library.
 
Epic Elementary School was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education in [[1993]]–[[1994]].
 
The school was expanded to 78,000 square feet to accommodate up to 650 students. A gymnasium was built at the school for $750,000 in [[2001]]. An interior renovation was overseen by [[T.R.I. Architecture & Interior Design]] with refreshed finishes and lighting which preserved and reinforced the original color scheme.
 
==Principals==
* [[Vicki Stokes]], 2012
* [[Petra Leonard]], 2018-


==References==
==References==
* Reeves, Garland (January 25, 1973) "[http://cdm16044.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p4017coll2/id/12290 Lane School picked for pilot project]" {{BN}} - via {{BPLDC}}
* Reeves, Garland (May 16, 1974) "[http://cdm16044.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p4017coll2/id/12147 City board to expand Glen Iris ed program stressing individual]" {{BN}} - via {{BPLDC}}
* Reeves, Garland (May 16, 1974) "[http://cdm16044.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p4017coll2/id/12147 City board to expand Glen Iris ed program stressing individual]" {{BN}} - via {{BPLDC}}
* Gargiulo, Richard M. & John Batson (1985) "EPIC School: An adventure in the least restrictive alternative." ''Education'' Vol. 105, No. 4, pp. 394-5
* Gargiulo, Richard M. & John Batson (1985) "EPIC School: An adventure in the least restrictive alternative." ''Education'' Vol. 105, No. 4, pp. 394-5
* Guy, Ann Renee (August 1, 1995) ''The Evolution of an Inclusion Model School in Birmingham, Alabama: A Case Study of EPIC Elementary School, 1973-1993.'' Doctoral Dissertation. University of Alabama College of Education
* Cummings, Meredith (August 2012) "EPIC Success Story: How one radical idea in education became a long-term success story." ''Birmingham'' magazine
* Cummings, Meredith (August 2012) "EPIC Success Story: How one radical idea in education became a long-term success story." ''Birmingham'' magazine


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[[Category:Elementary schools]]
[[Category:Elementary schools]]
[[Category:10th Avenue South]]
[[Category:10th Avenue South]]
[[Category:1973 establishments]]
[[Category:1980 buildings]]
[[Category:1980 buildings]]
[[Category:Pedro Costa buildings]]
[[Category:Pedro Costa buildings]]
[[Category:Blue Ribbon schools]]

Latest revision as of 21:36, 10 December 2023

Epic Elementary School
EPIC School logo.png
BCS small logo.png Birmingham City Schools
Years 1980–present
Location 1000 10th Avenue South, (map)
Glen Iris
Grades K-5
Principal Petra Leonard
Enrollment 482 (2012)
Colors purple & gold
Mascot Eagles
Website bcs.schoolwires.net

Epic Elementary School (sometimes known as EPIC School or Epic Alternative Elementary School) is an elementary school in the Birmingham Public School System that is located at 1000 10th Avenue South, adjacent to Bessie Estelle Park in the Glen Iris neighborhood. The name was originally an acronym for "Educational Planning for Instructional Complex", which was later recast as "Educational Program sfor the Individual Child".

The program was founded in 1972 as a partnership between the city school system and the UAB School of Education under the direction of Roland Terrell. The intent of the program was to determine the extent to which a diverse, barrier-free classroom could be a benefit to instruction, and, conversely, the extent to which individualized instruction is important to attain educational goals. The curriculum for "typical and atypical students" was developed by groups of teachers, parents and students working together.

The pilot program, funded by a three-year federal grant, was originally to be implemented at Lane Elementary School at the start of the 1973-1974 academic year, and to approximate a 50/50 balance of white and black students. After the decision was made to move it to Glen Iris Elementary School, the predominantly white enrollment there changed the racial makeup of the program.

EPIC School also serves as a training center for teachers, and continues to foster the creation of individualized learning plans for students, including those considered "gifted" and those with disabilities.

The program began working with architect Pedro Costa in 1976. He developed an open plan for a free-flowing school which accommodated small-scale "theaterettes", "satellite libraries", and outdoor classrooms. The new building also featured color-coded walls for each grade level and abundant natural lighting. Students moved into the new building in 1980.

All students were taught sign language and the music classroom included special construction to transmit vibrations through the floor for the benefit of the hearing impaired. The school also housed a small animal menagerie and a well-stocked library.

Epic Elementary School was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education in 1993–1994.

The school was expanded to 78,000 square feet to accommodate up to 650 students. A gymnasium was built at the school for $750,000 in 2001. An interior renovation was overseen by T.R.I. Architecture & Interior Design with refreshed finishes and lighting which preserved and reinforced the original color scheme.

Principals

References

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