Benjamin E. Mays High School Turns Up the Volume on Student Creativity

In an era where arts and music programs are too often the first to face budget cuts, Benjamin E. Mays High School is making a bold, visionary move. The school’s recent unveiling of an on-campus recording studio signals not only an investment in state-of-the-art technology but also in the dreams and futures of its students.

This is more than a new room with microphones and mixers it’s a bridge between education and opportunity. With Atlanta being a global hub for music, especially hip-hop, R&B, and gospel, the studio puts students at the forefront of a thriving creative economy. Young people at Mays through a grant funded from the Save the Music Foundation, can now learn sound engineering, production, songwriting, and even the business side of music all while still in high school.

According to Principal Dr. Ramon Garner, the studio has already sparked a noticeable shift on campus. Students are more energized and engaged, drawn to the space as a place where creativity and learning intersect. Garner views the facility not just as a creative outlet but as a pipeline for real-world skills students can apply long after graduation.

The initiative also speaks to the power of representation. Many students at Mays come from communities where access to high-end equipment or industry mentorship is limited. By bringing a professional-grade studio into the school, administrators are affirming that their students’ voices and ideas deserve to be heard on the same level as any chart-topping artist.

More importantly, this move aligns with a bigger cultural shift: recognizing that education is not one-size-fits-all. For some students, a studio session can teach collaboration, discipline, and entrepreneurship in ways that a traditional classroom can’t. It offers a pathway to college programs, internships, and real-world jobs in an industry where Atlanta already leads the nation.

Benjamin E. Mays High School has long carried the name of a towering figure in education and civil rights. Opening this recording studio honors that legacy by empowering a new generation to express themselves, innovate, and lead. It’s not just about making music it’s about making a future. 

Source: wsb radio