Phoenix High School

Phoenix High School was established in January of 1988 as an alternative option for students to complete a high school education. Initially, Phoenix was called Open Campus and shared the Meadowcreek High School campus conducting classes from 3 p.m. to 9:40 p.m. In 1990, Phoenix relocated to Norcross High School, sharing the building for the next four years. Phoenix was on the move again in 1993 to the Maxwell High School of Technology campus, where it would remain until 1997. In August of 1997, Phoenix found a permanent home at its current location in Lawrenceville.

The Phoenix High School program was designed as an alternative and complement to the traditional high school program. All students attend by choice and are provided an opportunity to become a self-confident, independent learner. A variety of opportunities allow students to develop and demonstrate the importance of fulfilling adult roles.

All Phoenix students have the opportunity to earn a College Preparatory Diploma. In its first 30 years,more than 6,000 students graduated from Phoenix. The school year is structured with four minisemesters (9-week periods). This flexible format allows students from other Gwinnett schools to attend Phoenix in the afternoon or evening to get ahead or make-up classes. Many students from other GCPS high schools have been able to graduate in four years by completing Phoenix coursework.

The school’s success led to an expansion in 2018 as the school opened a satellite program at Sugarloaf Mills, a nearby mall. Phoenix at Sugarloaf has proven to be a successful partnership with the Simon Youth Foundation.

Mr. Robert L. Campbell served as the first principal of Phoenix High School and was instrumental in laying the foundation to support the growth and change that our school has experienced. His motto was “We Exist for Students” and that thought still guides the school today some 18 years later.