High school dropouts or students at risk of dropping out now have a shot at earning a high school diploma through the Magic Johnson Bridgescape program.

The program is being offered by Provost Academy Georgia, the state’s only virtual charter high school, in partnership with EdisonLearning, an international education provider.

Students ages 14 to 20 can register year-round for four-hour morning and afternoon sessions. The program, which is free to attend, offers interactive online and small group instruction. Students work at their own pace and can take classes at the center at 100 Edgewood Ave. in Atlanta or online.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the NBA star-turned-businessman, said the goal is to ensure that no student falls through the cracks.

“All students should have the opportunity to receive their high school diplomas and be fully prepared for college or the workplace,” he said.

Johnson formed a strategic alliance with EdisonLearning in September 2011 to advance effective and sustainable programs to educate America’s urban students and help turn around under-performing public schools. 

At the launch, Johnson said that improving the quality of life for people residing in urban areas is his life’s passion.

“When just over 40 percent of students in Los Angeles, Houston, and Baltimore are graduating from high school and less than 30 percent of black males in New York, Detroit and Miami – steps need to be taken to recapture these students into the education system to better their opportunities in life.” 

The Georgia Department of Education said that last year, 33,463, or 4.9 percent, of DeKalb students dropped out of school. Statewide, 520,245, or 3.7 percent, of students dropped out.

The alliance, which operates as Magic Johnson-EdisonLearning Assist, has Magic Johnson Bridgescape centers in Ohio, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

The Atlanta center is the first in Georgia. Other locations are planned for Augusta, Macon and Savannah.

Monica Henson, Provost Academy’s executive director, said eight students have enrolled in the Georgia program since it launched on Sept. 17.

She said students are enrolling daily, and they are equipped to handle 10 students at a time until they move to larger quarters in November in the same building.

“We will be able to serve 50 students at a time for those who want to come to the center,” she said.

The school is staffed with on-site education teams – teachers, counselors and other professionals – to assist students in their daily studies. The staff offers academic support and post-graduation assistance for students, including those with learning disabilities.

Graduates earn full diplomas, not a GED.

Henson said Bridgescape centers will open in Savannah and Macon in November and in Augusta in January.

Provost Academy, which opened on July 1, is an independent statewide public charter high school funded by the state of Georgia.

With eight new students who enrolled in Bridgescape this week, Henson said the school has 433 students enrolled in grades 9 to 12 from all 159 counties statewide.

On Sept. 28, interested DeKalb and other students and their families can find out more about the Magic Johnson Bridgescape program at the Gallery at South DeKalb. Hot 107.9 radio personality Emperor Searcy will host a live remote inside DTLR from 6 to 9 p.m. promoting the program.

The Gallery of South DeKalb is at I-20 and Candler Road. Students interested in attending the Magic Johnson Bridgescape center can enroll by visiting ga.provostacademy.com or by calling 1-888-725-9501.