Safety and Security at Drew

A Layered, Holistic Approach​

About Our New Random Security Screening Process 

The Drew community is committed to cultivating a healthy school environment. We believe in a balanced and shared commitment to safety.  

This balance includes some physical changes that address safety, as well as good policies that address the psychology of safety. Together they are intended to thwart potential threats. However, not all physical changes (building hardening measures) are effective.  

Atlanta Public Schools has widely implemented mandatory weapons detection and screening at all traditional middle school and high school sites, but we know these systems can be circumvented by bad actors because they are predictable. We believe Drew can benefit greatly from implementing a Random Screening Process at our Yates Campus. 

This will supplement the Open Gate metal detection technology already in use at Drew during home basketball games, which allows us to screen for typical weapons but also provides us with the flexibility to search for smaller threats that can be just as harmful and are typically undetectable by traditional weapons screening systems. (The portability of the Open Gate system gives us the ability to perform screening anywhere on campus, which is useful for our many activities and events.) 

Precedent and Current Policies 

Existing APS administrative regulation JCDAF-R(1) states that “Student vehicles…. bookbags, school lockers, ….purses, bags and other school property are subject to inspection and search by school authorities at any time without further notice to parents/guardians.” A new, randomized screening process at Drew aligns with existing APS regulations but is not more stringent than their existing screening policy.  

Rationale for Randomized Metal Detection at Drew 

Randomized metal detection allows us to increase the psychology of safety for students and staff while deterring bad actors from bringing contraband and weapons to school. Not knowing when and where the screening will occur also removes bias by not relying on “reasonable suspicion” to activate a search process.  

Procedural Overview 

All classroom numbers will be placed in a number-randomizing application. At a predetermined time, on a random schedule, the tool will be used to select a classroom number. Designated staff (academy administrators, deans, support staff, private security and SROs) will then set up portable metal detectors in a designated area near the selected classroom. The designated administrator will enter the classroom and announce that the class has been selected for random screening.

Students are then organized into a line while staff outside the classroom conduct a two-station screening process. This process is very similar to what you may have experienced attending a concert or professional sporting event.  

Leaving their personal items behind, students will exit the classroom to the screening area and walk through the metal detectors one at a time. If nothing is detected, they will return and wait to re-enter the classroom. If something is detected, the student will move to a secondary screening area where a detection wand will be used to isolate the location of the item.

If contraband is found, it will be confiscated and handled in accordance with existing school discipline policies. SROs will be present to observe, assist administrators, and handle the confiscation of any unallowable items and/or illegal substances. (Please reference Appendix A, the APS Student Code of Conduct 2025-2026, in the back of each of our academy's current Student Handbooks—specifically sections 2, 15, 16, and 17—for specifics on contraband/prohibited items and weapons.)

While students are being screened outside of the classroom, two school safety team members will perform a search of each student’s personal belongings, looking for unallowable items and contraband. A typical classroom of 30 students can be processed within 6-11 minutes, minimizing loss of instruction time. 

When the screening is completed, teachers will resume instruction, and students will receive a letter to take home to their parent/guardian informing them of the screening.  

Implementation 

Drew has begun reviewing this process with students to hear their feedback, and this communication you are reading is our initial notification of implementation to parents and guardians. Based on student and staff input, Drew has decided to begin with a soft launch this year, and a full launch will be implemented at the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year.  

We understand that there may be additional questions and concerns, so we are holding a Virtual Town Hall information session for each academy: 

• Senior Academy, Tuesday, March 10 at 5 p.m. (an email with link will be sent to SA parents/guardians) 
• Junior Academy, Tuesday, March 10 at 6 p.m. (an email with link will be sent to JA parents/guardians) 

Timeframe 

We will begin with a soft launch of the new randomized screening process in March 2026. Our full launch of this procedure will happen at the start of the 2026-2027 school year, providing students and families with the ability to engage with us after a few screenings have occurred, and providing our safety and security team with time to test and refine the process. 

Random Security Screening at Drew - Frequently Asked Questions 

Why is it necessary to perform weapons screening at Drew Charter School?

While Drew is a special place in many ways, we are also no different than schools across the state and country. We are not immune from contraband getting into our school buildings, whether done with the intent to harm, protect, or personally consume. 

Why not just install stationary metal detectors?

Mandatory, stationary metal detection is incredibly expensive, predictable, and as a result can be circumvented by bad actors. It also requires a great deal of staff involvement daily to be implemented with fidelity. It is not a method aligning with our school culture, due to its proven negative psychological impacts to both students and staff. In addition, stationary weapons screening does not detect additional, potentially harmful contraband. 

Who else is doing “random screening” and why did you choose this method?

Many independent schools and public-school districts across the country are implementing randomized screening with great success. The random nature of the process cannot be predicted by bad actors, so it provides both a physical and psychological deterrent, and provides a healthy sense of security. The process at Drew will be modeled after Charleston County School District in South Carolina.  

What about my child’s privacy?

As mentioned, the screening is similar to entering an arena or sporting event and does not involve any pat down or physical touch. Screening areas do provide some privacy, but it is meant to prevent students in other classes from being able to observe those going through screening. Also, for the safety and security of all involved, this process is not conducted in private. 

Note, there may be circumstances that justify a “private search.” However, these are rare and if needed will be conducted according to existing school policy. (Please refer to the current Student Handbooks for more details on Private Searches.) 

What if contraband is discovered?

The School Search Team conducting these screenings are academy principals, deans, trained non-instructional staff, private security employees and school resource officers. Contraband will be confiscated and handled in accordance with existing Drew policy. This will be done as discreetly as possible. Results of screenings will not be shared with anyone who is not affected.  

How often will screening take place?

Screening will take place at a frequency determined by principals, the school search team and the Head of School. The goal is to create enough of a deterrence without negatively impacting instructional time for any group of students. Schedules for the Junior and Senior Academy will be different, and screenings will never take place on a predictable schedule. 

How safe can this be if you are not going to screen everyone?

Research on the efficacy of mandatory weapons screening at schools is mixed at best. School safety requires a multi-layered approach to be effective. No one solution or technology ensures safety. This random screening process is a model we feel we can deliver with fidelity; it provides an appropriate amount of physical and psychological safety and is consistent with our school culture.  

Can a student refuse to participate in a search?

No. Students who do not comply will be subject to school discipline just as if they have violated any other school policy or procedure. 

Will special consideration be given for students with special needs?

Yes. The school search team is made up of selected staff trained and accustomed to accommodating students who have special needs.