CUMMING -- Forsyth County Schools officials announced the first principal for what will be the district’s seventh brick-and-mortar public high school.

Brandi Cannizzaro, who is currently an assistant principal at Lambert High School, will take over as principal of the Alliance Academy for Innovation of Cumming-Forsyth County, effective July 1, 2017.

Cannizzaro has worked in the high school setting since 1997, serving as math teacher, IB coordinator, administrative assistant and assistant principal.

She said her appointment to open the college and career academy high school is an honor.

“I look forward to the work ahead as we open Alliance and provide innovative pathways for students to own their future in college, career and life,” she said.

The academy is a partnership between the Forsyth County Board of Education, Public Facilities Authority, city of Cumming, Forsyth County government, Lanier Technical College, the University of North Georgia and Junior Achievement.

Combined, those groups will provide secondary, post-secondary and continuing education for students, organizations, small businesses and corporations, along with financial literacy and business ethics training for middle and high school students.

Career development opportunities will be open to students in grades 9-12 and will focus on high-demand, high-growth, high-wage careers — avoiding duplication of existing career pathways at other high schools in the district — that will allow “students to work in simulated environments of business/industry and earn industry credentials and college credit.”

A groundbreaking ceremony is set for Thursday on what will be a three-story campus located in Cumming on Lanier 400 Parkway.

Cannizzaro began her career as a math teacher in DeKalb County before transferring to Gwinnett County.

She has worked in Forsyth County since 2004 at both South Forsyth and Lambert high schools.

She has a special interest in Career, Technical and Agricultural Education, or CTAE, programs at the high schools level.