The Clarke County School District, in partnership with MedLink Georgia, is pleased to announce the opening of the Classic City Health Center and Coile Health Center, two new school-based health centers providing CCSD students, staff, and families with affordable access to convenient and comprehensive healthcare services. The centers are funded primarily by $2 million in grant money from the Georgia Department of Education. 

The Classic City Health Center is housed in the Classic City High School building, 440-3 Dearing Ext., Athens, located on the historic H.T. Edwards campus behind the Athens Community Career Academy and Early Learning Center West. The Coile Health Center is located on the campus of Coile Middle School, located at 110 Old Elberton Rd., Athens. Both centers will be fully open beginning Monday, Oct. 28, to students, staff, and families throughout the district. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies are scheduled for Oct. 29 at the Classic City Health Center and Nov. 12 at the Coile Health Center. 

The new centers expand CCSD’s current school-based health center offerings from two to four and will function similarly to the Hilsman Health Center and Clarke Middle Health Center. The centers are staffed by MedLink and provide treatment for illness and injuries, wellness checks, immunizations, preventative screenings, mental health support, sports physicals, and more. The centers accept most major insurances and Medicaid, and a sliding fee scale is available for families who qualify. 

“School-based health centers have proven to be a convenient option for students, staff, and families, allowing students and staff to obtain care without having to leave campus, meaning they miss less school time and less work,” said Dr. Robbie Hooker, CCSD Superintendent. “In many cases, they also allow our working families to miss less work by cutting down on the number of stops they have to make."

Appointments are preferred and can be made by calling the Classic City Health Center at 706-389-1095 or the Coile Health Center at 706-352-9244. Parental consent is required for all visits and treatments, and parents and guardians are welcome to attend all visits. The Classic City Health Center treatment consent forms can be accessed at this link. The Coile Health Center treatment consent forms can be accessed at this link. Students visiting the centers from the school campuses will be escorted there by a designated school staff member. A MedLink staff member will attempt to contact parents and guardians prior to well visits and will follow up with a phone call to families if a student is seen for a sick visit. 

MedLink staff will seek payment for services at the center from the patient’s medical insurance or Medicaid; however, no patient will be turned away because of an inability to pay. Patients with or without health insurance are able to apply and may be eligible for the sliding fee scale. The fee discount opportunity is based on federal poverty guidelines and is calculated based on total household size and income. If approved, the minimum fee for a medical office visit is $40, and a patient’s discounted rate is locked in for one year. Applications must be completed annually. 

"We are proud to partner with the Clarke County School District to open these new school-based health centers. By providing access to quality healthcare for every student and faculty member, regardless of their ability to pay, we are helping to create a healthier, more supportive learning environment,” said Dave Ward, CEO of MedLInk Georgia. “We believe that when students are healthy, they can focus better in the classroom and reach their full potential. This partnership is about breaking down barriers and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed, both academically and in life."

For hours and more information about the Classic City Health Center, click here.

For hours and more information about the Coile Health Center, click here.