Education Answer Book - 2023

ANSWER BOOK 2023

A new hope

Schools opening in Metro Atlanta set stage for brighter future, Page 22

Brought to you by - Mill Springs Academy

Those are the words of Mill Springs Academy’s founder, Tweetie L. Moore, and the words that Mill Springs administration, faculty, and staff continue to live by today. Founded in 1981, Mill Springs provides a values-based college preparatory program for students with ADHD and learning differences. Mill Springs’ school-wide Community Structure encourages students to participate in their own education by teaching self-advocacy, social problem-solving skills and how to forge their own path. Our small class sizes allow teachers to provide each student with individualized instruction. Our highly skilled faculty, learning specialists and counselors provide academic rigor on all levels, from kindergarten through 12, in a supportive, nurturing environment.

Mill Springs Academy also offers students a wide variety of opportunities outside the core curriculum. Mill Springs’ fine arts program encourages students to explore their creativity through painting, sculpture, set design, music, performance and more. Our robust athletic programs allow students to play at a competitive level while building teamwork skills and confidence.

Mill Springs’ 85-acre Alpharetta campus includes indoor and outdoor classroom space, athletic facilities and visual and performing arts facilities. We serve students from over 50 different zip codes in the Metro Atlanta area and provide four bus routes with ten stops in the morning and afternoon. To learn more about Mill Springs Academy, visit us at www.millsprings.org/visit.

“If a student can’t learn the way we teach… we should teach the way a student can learn.”

Publisher Emeritus

Ray Appen

Publisher

Hans Appen

Editorial

Carl Appen

Chamian Cruz

Shelby Israel

Amber Perry

Alexander Popp

Delaney Tarr

Patrick Fox

Candy Waylock

Production

David Brown

Jacob Tomberlin

Dionna Williams

Advertising

Mike Dorman

Paul Flowers

Jade Garcia

June Michaels

Steve Neese

2023 Edition: The Education Answer Book is published at the beginning of each year. For information on inclusion in the 2024 edition email hans@appenmedia.com. If you have suggestions, corrections, or questions about this year’s edition, let us know!

Reproduction of the content of the Answer Book— including all maps and photos — is prohibited without expressed written permission. The Answer Book is a trademarked title. All efforts have been made to verify content. Appen Media Group publishes the Education Answer Book, Community Answer Book, Medical Answer Book and Seniors Answer Book. Online versions are accessible on AppenMedia.com on the home page. Contact us at 770-442-3278 or email advertising@appenmedia.com

Welcome to the 2023 Education Answer Book.

We’re glad you picked it up

Dear reader,

Thank you for reading this year’s edition of the Education Answer Book. We worked hard to give you a comprehensive, useful snapshot of educational resources and institutions available to you in the north metro Atlanta market.

I invite you to dive in and learn more about graduation rate growth (page 26), mental health help for students (page 39), local school board representation, and much more. Residents, and especially young folks in Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek, Dunwoody, Milton, Sandy Springs and Forsyth County have a lot to be proud of.

Our area’s high schools continue to place among the top in the state. Graduates of these award winning schools continue to pursue higher education at some of the country’s premier universities. Check out the Alpharetta High School alumna now serving as the president of the Harvard Lampoon, a 146-year-old nationally circulated humor magazine run by Harvard students (page 27).

And did I mention the incredible opportunities for job creation and economic development that can only happen in a market like ours, founded on a bedrock of exceptional schools?

As always, we appreciate feedback on how we are doing and ways we can improve on this annual publication next year. Feel free to reach out to us anytime.

Best, Hans Appen, Publisher hans@appenmedia.com

319 North Main Street, Alpharetta AppenMedia.com

8: Meet the Board of Education - Fulton

22: Forsyth County - First day of school

26: Northern metro-Atlanta counties see graduation rate growth

28: Meet the Board of Education - Dekalb

30: College Fair

36: Meet the Board of Education - Forsyth

41: Kemp continues focus on education

On the Cover: New Hope Elementary School Principal Laura Webb greets students on their first day of school on Aug. 4. Webb previously served as principal of Forsyth County’s Big Creek Elementary School. See story Page 22

PHOTO BY ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA

HANS APPEN Publisher

QUARTERLY SECTIONS

Promote your school, university, daycare, pediatrician, or tutoring service in our upcoming education special sections.

Appen offers 4 critical education-focused special sections each year in our weekly newspapers, plus an annual school guide, The Education Answer Book that you are reading now.

Education is a top priority for our readers and our Education Focus special sections will allow you to reach students and parents through their local newspaper. Our readers have children in public school, private school, on their way to college and gifted children with special needs.

Delivers to 28,000 households every Thursday.

Zip Codes: 30005, 30009, 30022, 30075, 30076. Alpharetta & Roswell’s primary news source. Alpharetta and Roswell’s paper of record. Est. 1983

Delivers to 20,000 households every Thursday.

Zip Codes: 30022, 30097. Johns Creek’s primary news source. Est. 1997. Johns Creek’s paper of record.

With our Education Focus special sections you reach the targeted communities of your choice. 6 of the top 10 wealthiest communities in Georgia are in our distribution area. Reach over 262,000 loyal readers. 66% of Appen readers earn over $100,000, and 33% earn over $150,000. 71% have a college or post graduate degree. 74% of our readers use our newspapers to purchase goods and services.

Delivers to 17,000 households every Thursday.

Zip Codes: 30040, 30041. Forsyth County’s largest circulation newspaper. Est. 1998

Delivers to 10,000 households every Thursday

Zip Code: 30004. Community news for and about the City of Milton. Est. 2006. Milton’s paper of record.

Delivers to 18,000 households every Thursday.

Zip Codes: 30338, 30350, 30360, 30346, 30319. Community news for and about the City of Dunwoody and surrounding areas. City of Dunwoody paper of record. Est. 1976.

Delivers to 12,000 households every Thursday

Zip Codes: 30327, 30328, 30342, 30350

Upcoming deadlines

To learn more and to reserve your space, email mike@appenmedia.com

Awesome Alpharetta – Experience awesome!

Brought to you by – Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau

As the official destination marketing organization for Alpharetta, Georgia, the Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) was created to promote tourism. The mission of the Alpharetta CVB is to position the city of Alpharetta as a regionally, nationally and globally recognized premier tourism destination by developing quality programs and facilities to attract overnight visitors.

How does the Alpharetta CVB help those living in the North Atlanta communities? The bureau is a valuable resource to residents, offering free visitor information with over 200 brochures in the Alpharetta Welcome Center, and complimentary event planning resources for weddings, reunions, mitzvahs, meetings, special occasions and sports events.

Planning an event or special occasion? The Alpharetta CVB staff will:

• Be a single point of contact as an Alpharetta event planning resource

• Provide insight on Alpharetta event venues, meeting spaces and sports facilities

• Secure hotel rates and availability at all Alpharetta hotels based on the event needs and provide the event organizer with one comprehensive list of options

• Assist with destination and hotel site inspections

• Provide complimentary welcome bags with Alpharetta visitor information for Alpharetta hotel guests

• Offer insider tips on securing the best activities, dining and vendor options for an event

• Suggest customized itineraries for event attendees Call

Fulton County

Meet the superintendent and the board of education

Superintendent Mike Looney, Ph.D.

Mike Looney joined the Fulton County School System in 2019. He previously served as the superintendent of Williamson County Schools in Tennessee, where he was named 2015 Superintendent of the Year by Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents.

Looney earned a bachelor’s degree in business management and master’s degree in education from Jacksonville State University in Alabama, followed by an educational specialist degree and doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Alabama.

He has served on several distinguished panels during his career, including President George W. Bush’s National Reading Leadership Panel in Washington D.C.

In addition to his tenure in Williamson County, Looney served as superintendent of the Butler County School District in Alabama, and assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in the Montgomery (Ala.) Public Schools. An educator since 1994, he has also been a classroom teacher, assistant principal and principal.

Prior to his career in education, Looney served for seven years in the United States Marines and received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal among other honors. He is the father of four grown children.

North Fulton County Board of Education

District 1 - Katha Stuart (board vice president) stuartk@fultonschools.org

Board member since October 2015; term expires Dec. 31, 2024

A 26-year resident of District 1, Katha Stuart has been involved in Fulton County Schools since her children started kindergarten at Mountain Park Elementary. Stuart represents parts of Alpharetta, Roswell, Mountain Park and Milton. She served in various PTA and School Governance Council roles at Mountain Park Elementary, Crabapple Middle School and Roswell High School. Stuart was a member of the Superintendent’s Community Advisory Committee from 2009 through 2015. She also has served as a vice president of programs for the North Fulton Council PTA and as a committee member for the Georgia PTA. Stuart has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Georgia State University and was formerly a regional vice president for Berger Funds and Invesco Funds.

District 2 – Lillie Pozatek pozatekl@fultonschools.org

Board member since 2023; current term expires Dec. 31, 2026

A Milton resident, Pozatek represents the Alpharetta and Milton area. She studied special education at the University of Florida and worked as a high school teacher before she moved to a career in sales. Pozatek left the field when her youngest child joined school and transitioned into parent leadership. She was a parent representative to the School Governance Council and served on parent boards for 12 years. In 2021, she was chosen as a Court Appointed Special Advocate to work with children and families in foster care.

District 3 – Katie Gregory gregoryK1@fultonschools.org

Board member since 2023; current term expires Dec. 31, 2024

Katie Gregory represents Sandy Springs, College Park, East Point and Hapeville. She was appointed to fill the vacated District 3 seat in 2023. Gregory spent 14 years working in the public sector for the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. She was an environmental engineer in the air protection branch and a manger in the land protection branch. Before her appointment, Gregory was chair of the School Governance Council at Hapeville Elementary School and helped reinstate the school’s PTA. She lives in Hapeville and serves as vice president of McGuireWoods Consulting in Atlanta.

District 5 – Kristin McCabe mccabek@fultonschools.org

Board member since 2023; current term expires Dec. 31, 2026

Kristin McCabe represents the Johns Creek and Alpharetta areas. She was a pediatric cardiac nurse for eight years, and spent 10 years working in medical sales. After she left the medical field, she served as a parent volunteer. McCabe was president of the Findley Oaks Elementary School PTA and served as a parent representative for local school advisory committees. She also served on the Fulton County Schools Health Advisory Committee.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Fulton County 2023 School Calendar

March 2023

Meet the superintendent and the board of education

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

District 7 – Dr. Michelle Morancie Moranciem1@fultonschools.org

Board member since 2023; current term expires Dec. 31, 2026

Dr. Michelle Morancie represents Sandy Springs and parts of Alpharetta, Johns Creek and Roswell.

A native New Yorker, Morancie spent 28 years as a school psychologist in New York City public schools. In New York, Morancie taught as an adjunct professor of psychology at various colleges. Once she moved to Georgia, Morancie worked briefly as a school psychologist in Fulton County Schools before establishing a private practice for therapeutic services for women. She volunteered as a NICU Baby Buddy at Children’s healthcare of Atlanta. Morancie also serves as a mentor with the Drake House in Sandy Springs.

South Fulton County Board of Education Members

Franchesca Warren • District 4 Warrenf2@fultonschools.org

Board member since 2021; current term expires Dec. 31, 2024

Kimberly Dove • District 6 (board president) dovek@fultonschools.org

Appointed to the Board in May 2017; subsequently elected to the position in 2018. Appointed president in 2023; current term expires 2025.

Fulton County Schools welcome new board members

By DELANEY TARR Appen Media / January 2023

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The Fulton County School Board swore in three new members during a work session in December 2022. The board members took office in January 2023.

Michelle Morancie, Kristin McCabe and Lillie Pozatek won their district seats in May 2022, after the current board members decided to retire. The seats are non-partisan.

The Fulton County School Board also appointed Katie Gregory to fill the District 3 seat, covering parts of Sandy Springs, College Park, East Point and Hapeville. She was appointed to fill the term of Gail Dean.

Pozatek is a Milton resident and former teacher. She won the District 2 seat, which represents areas in Alpharetta and Milton. Pozatek has a Bachelor of Science in exceptional education and has been active as a parent in Fulton County Schools for 12 years.

Pozatek’s platform focused on funding and support for teachers, engaging parents and “putting children first.”

McCabe will represent District 5, which covers parts of Johns Creek and Alpharetta. McCabe has lived in Johns Creek for the past 18 years and has been involved in Fulton County Schools for 15 years.

McCabe has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of South Florida. Her husband, Dan, is a charter member of the Johns Creek City Council. McCabe aims to lower the tax rate for the school system and supports the creation of a charter district.

Morancie, a Sandy Springs resident, won the District 7 seat covering Sandy Springs and parts of Alpharetta, Johns Creek and Roswell. Morancie has worked in public schools as a licensed school psychologist for over 30 years.

Morancie ran on a platform of improving mental health services for children during the school day and equalizing the quality of education in the country.

The newcomers mark a major change for the school board.

All three retiring members represent combined service of more than five decades.

Katie Reeves, the current District 2 board representative, has held the position since 1999. Linda McCain has represented District 5 since 2011. Julia Bernath, School Board president and District 7 representative, has held the position since 2000.

“The board was very consistent with about five members for almost 20 years,” Fulton County Schools Chief Communications Officer Brian Noyes said. “That created a great deal of consistency and a wealth of knowledge.”

Noyes said the schools will miss the insight and experience the veteran members had, but they’re looking forward to the future.

“It’s an exciting time, because we have four members bringing new insight and experience,” Noyes said.

McCabe and Pozatek have already interacted with the school system as parents, an experience Noyes finds beneficial to their work. As for Morancie, she’s had experience working in public schools for decades.

“The positives and strengths of our board is that connection on a personal level,” Noyes said.

Michelle Morancie is sworn in as District 7 Fulton County School Board member at a work session in December 2022. Her term began in January 2023.

PHOTOS BY DELANEY TARR/APPEN MEDIA

Kristin McCabe is sworn in as a Fulton County School Board member serving District 5 at a School Board work session in December 2022. Her term began in January 2023.

Lillie Pozatek is sworn in as District 2 Fulton County School Board member at a School Board work session in December 2022. Her term began in January 2023.

Accredited and STEM Certified College Prep Gifted School

Brought to you by – Fulton Science Academy Private School

Recently named as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, recognized as a National Character School by Character.org, ranked as the #1 STEM high school in Georgia by Niche.com, and named Best K-12 Private School in North Atlanta by Appen Media, Fulton Science Academy Private School (FSAPS) offers Georgia students a transformative education. FSAPS serves a high population of advanced and gifted students in Pre-K through High School.

As an accredited and STEM certified school, FSA has a reputation for its exceptional academic results. FSAPS ranks in the top 1% among all subjects and all grades in nationally normed tests in comparison to other schools in the nation. The high school program includes daily College Preparation Time helping the school achieve a 100% graduation

rate and a 100% 4-year college-bound rate with students attending some of the nation’s top colleges every year.

Our approach to learning focuses on using hands-on, collaborative and engaging instructional practices to prepare students for life beyond FSAPS. FSAPS’s environment is structured to minimize distractions and stress, while cultivating work ethic, self-initiative, strength of character and well-developed social skills.

FSAPS has fostered a “yearn to learn” culture where students embrace an innovative, STEAM curriculum. The FSAPS student body is diverse and reflects award-winning academic teams, competitive athletes, personal entrepreneurs, and award-winning critical thinkers. Built upon the core values of Integrity, Curiosity, Advocacy, Resiliency and Empathy, FSAPS has engineered a school of tomorrow, today.

www.fultonscienceacademy.org

Providing an exceptional college preparatory program since 1976

Brought to you by – Saint Francis School

Saint Francis School is a SACS/SAIS accredited, independent, non-profit, nonsectarian college preparatory school founded in 1976. The mission of Saint Francis School is to provide a college preparatory program to students with diverse academic ability in a structured environment that is challenging and supportive. Kindergarten – 8th grades are located on the 24-acre Roswell Campus while the High School is located on the 47-acre Alpharetta campus. The school’s commitment to small class sizes, low pupil-to-teacher ratio, and a strong emphasis on structure and organization allows students to enjoy success in academic areas and develop the self-confidence necessary to be successful in college. Curriculum offerings include AP, Honors, Traditional and Support classes.

With a 100% acceptance rate to college and with the majority of graduates qualifying for the Hope Scholarship, Saint Francis alumni attend a wide variety of programs ranging from Ivy League schools, to small private colleges to prestigious Art Institutes. Saint Francis is a Google Apps for Education Classroom, utilizing laptops in grades 4 – 12. Specialized reading programs offered include Fundations®, Wilson Reading System®, Just Words® and supplemental support from Cars® and Stars® Reading Comprehension. Sports are offered at both the middle and high school (GHSA) including football, soccer, baseball, track, swimming, wrestling, softball, volleyball and equestrian.

For more information call 770.641.8257 Ext. 56 (Grades 1– 8) and 678.339.9989 Ext. 33 (Grades 9 – 12) or visit our website: www.saintfrancisschools.com.

Wesleyan School believes faith and intellect are great partners with each other. At Wesleyan, it’s not a matter of choosing faith or intellect, but rather using both to create the best possible education for your child. Our leadership and faculty work to provide students with an atmosphere that is challenging, reinforces the value of hard work, and emphasizes character and integrity above accomplishment. Wesleyan prepares students for each stage of life and provides them the opportunity to see all the possibilities that lie before them. Wesleyan’s school motto is JOY-Jesus, Others, Yourself, and every aspect of school life is oriented to reinforce this philosophy of putting Jesus first and others ahead of ourselves.

A college preparatory environment, students have access to a wide range of academic opportunities along with athletics, arts, service and other extracurricular activities. Wesleyan’s 85-acre campus provides state-ofthe-art academic facilities along with on-campus practice space for athletics and arts.

Located just outside of I-285 in Peachtree Corners, at the start of the 2022-2023 school year 1,207 students enrolled in grades K-12. Wesleyan offers bus routes throughout the metro Atlanta area. Supervised care before school is included in the cost of tuition and after care is available (K-8) until 6 p.m. at an affordable rate.

Wesleyan School

5405 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 770-448-7640

https://www.wesleyanschool.org/

Brought to you by – Wesleyan School

Forming Christian leaders who will transform society

Brought to you by – Pinecrest Academy

Pinecrest Academy is an independent PreK3-12 college preparatory Catholic school, located in North Atlanta, GA. We provide an atmosphere of academic rigor and critical thinking in a Christ-centered environment, implementing the educational philosophy of Integral Formation. Rooted in Catholic tradition and inspired by the goodness, beauty and truth of the Christian worldview, our whole-person educational method helps children discover their God-given gifts so they can fulfill their potential in academics and all areas of life.

Pinecrest has been a Cardinal Newman Society Catholic School of Excellence since 2007 and was ranked #1 Catholic High School in Georgia for the third consecutive year by Niche.com. The high school maintains a one hundred percent high school graduation rate, with graduates gaining acceptance into top colleges across the globe. The average class size is 15 students, allowing for more teacher-child interaction. Lower, Middle and High School students give of their time each year to service projects, as part of Pinecrest’s mission to form Christian leaders who will transform society. Pinecrest is located at 955 Peachtree Parkway in Cumming, serving Forsyth County, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Milton, Suwanee, Duluth, and other North Atlanta areas. To learn more, visit www.pinecrestacademy.org or call (770) 888-4477.

JOHN HUYNH

Upper School counseling services – an intentional balancing act

Brought to you by – Kings Ridge Christian School

At times students can become singleminded, focusing only on academics. While good grades are certainly an important goal for every student and a key to college admissions, grade point averages should not define students nor consume every waking hour. A life filled only with textbooks, essays and standardized tests is not spiritually meaningful, socially purposeful or physically healthy. As a college preparatory school, King’s Ridge Christian School strives to provide students with rigorous academic preparation as well as social, spiritual and physical fulfillment, which are all necessary for college and life beyond.

Research supports this call for students to live a balanced life. According to the Johns Hopkins Student Assistance Program, “Students often prioritize academics at the expense of personal factors, including relationships and exercise. This can lead to a decline in academic performance, as general health and well-being are critical to optimal academic functioning.” (2020). Perhaps most surprising is that college admissions departments tell counselors that a high school resume filled only with academic accolades is not what they seek in applicants.

The Upper School counseling department at KRCS intentionally focuses on developing the whole child; one who successfully balances academics, extra-curricular interests, the arts, athletic pursuits and a spiritual relationship with Christ. Through one-on-one meetings, small group advisement lessons, large group presentations, family conferences, and daily informal settings, counselors seek to know each of the students as individuals through their unique talents, aspirations, struggles and strengths. Counselors act as guides, encouraging students to build resiliency, self-confidence and independence - qualities that are crucial for success in college and beyond.

The KRCS counseling team truly believes that the wellbalanced student is best prepared to live out the King’s Ridge mission: “equipping students to know, to serve, and to believe”.

King’s Ridge Christian School will become the number one choice for a Christ-centered, academically excellent college prep school and a place for students to build character, discover their unique purpose and calling and grow to make an impact that extends far beyond the King’s Ridge Christian School campus.

PASSION

Our passion is to bring every student into a personal growing relationship with Jesus Christ while equipping them to do with excellence all that God has called them to do.

VISIT & APPLY

www.KingsRidgeCS.org/Admissions

SPURKA

A letter to students

Brought to you by - Woodward Academy

1. You are awesome. Be confident in who you are. I promise you’ll meet people who are smarter than you, and that's OK. You don't have to be the smartest person—oddly enough, sometimes being the smartest person is difficult. I also promise that you will be smarter than most. Enjoy that; while being smart isn't everything, it is definitely something. Be confident in your intelligence, but not arrogant. I've found that, most of the time, being arrogant backfires on you. That leads into point two…

2. Sometimes it takes more courage and intelligence to be silent than to speak. It took me a long time to understand and respect silence. I'm still learning that it's a mark of maturity and, most of the time, intelligence. Also, respect everyone's differences and challenge yourself to learn about them.

3. Never stop learning. I don't mean that in a teacher way, I mean it in a learning life sort of way. You are constantly growing, maturing, and developing, so enjoy it. Life is a condition to which no one is immune. We learn something every day. Our taste in music, food, TV, and the people we surround ourselves with evolves. It's natural for these preferences to change. I wasted a lot of time trying to be someone I wasn't because I thought I was supposed to be someone else. To complete number three, you need to invest in number four…

4. Spend time with yourself. Since you've been in my class, I've learned how amazing you are each in your own way. If you sit and spend time with you, I think you'll feel the same way. I'm such a people person, but sometimes the best thing is time alone with great music, a book, TV, or whatever. As cheesy as this sounds, be your own best friend. The sooner you learn that all of your faults and idiosyncrasies are what make you awesome, the sooner you will be a better person and enjoy life so much more. That leads to number five…

5. Everyone has faults. With the advent of social media, I sometimes find myself comparing my faults with everyone else's highlights. Scrolling through your Twitter feed (or Snapchat or TikTok), you see people lauding their accomplishments, great times, and great friends. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this, as long as you understand that what you see on social media is an incomplete picture. If you compare all of your faults to those highlights, you may feel a bit inadequate. Everyone has faults, so embrace yours. Grow from them and know that they add to what makes you, you. And remember, you're awesome.

6. Surround yourself with people who love you and think you're great (but also who know and accept your faults). You need this. If someone won't accept you for who you are, ask yourself if you really need that relationship (be it friends or more).

7. Smile. Every day. I'm not getting into the psychology of it all, but it could possibly make you happier and healthier. It works. Trust me.

8. Don't trust people just because they say, "trust me." Still...

9. Trust people. It's endearing. I know this is very contradictory, but it’s true. Even though “trust me” should raise flags, trusting people means you are human and we all need people we can trust.

10. I've saved one of the most important tips for last: Be happy. Genuinely happy. Choose a profession that pays the bills and makes you want to go to work most days. You won't be happy every day. You will have bad days, weeks and maybe even months, but you’ll be generally happy. Money will not, in the end, make you happy. One of the greatest pieces of advice my dad ever gave me was to make great memories. Good and bad, and all kinds in between, they are all part of our life. So, make them good ones and remember that you are part of other's memories so make sure they are positive, too. I have to end this the way my mother ended most of our conversations when I was in high school and college. Make good choices. (I repeat this often to my own kids.)

Lori Fenzl, Upper School social studies teacher

A DEEPLY PERSONALIZED COMMUNITY, WHERE EACH STUDENT CAN TAILOR THEIR OWN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE

WOODWARD THE WAY

PRE-K

THROUGH 12TH GRADE

With the most cocurricular and athletic opportunities of any private school in Atlanta.

WOODWARD ACADEMY

Forsyth County invokes past with New Hope Elementary

By CHAMIAN CRUZ Appen Media / July 2022

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — New Hope Elementary School represents a fresh start in more ways than one for Forsyth County.

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 23, New Hope Elementary School Principal Laura Webb said she is excited to lead the school from the ground up. She was previously the principal at Big Creek.

“This experience has been nothing short of incredible, and I know this will continue to be one of the most satisfying phases of my career,” Webb said. “Thank you for the faith that you have placed in me as New Hope’s first principal.”

The ribbon-cutting was the community’s first chance to walk through the halls before the first day of school on Aug. 4. At a cost of $28 million, New Hope sits on a 42-acre site off Castleberry Road.

It is the 23rd elementary school in Forsyth County Schools and the last of four schools built under the nearly $300 million bond approved by Forsyth County voters in 2018. It features learning spaces, upstairs gym, downstairs media center with flexible seating and a large outdoor courtyard.

Webb said New Hope is designed to make learning fun while positioning students for success. With a capacity for 1,174 students, it is also intended to relieve overcrowding at nearby Big Creek, Brandywine, Shiloh Point, Midway, Vickery Creek and Whitlow elementary schools.

The project broke ground October 2021.

Before opening the school up for self-guided tours on July 23, Webb shared a bit of history about education in Forsyth County, saying that the name New Hope invokes the African American children who grew up in the community in the late 1800s.

Webb said that by the early 1900s, these children were getting very limited tools and resources for their education and were forced to attend different schools. One of those schools, Webb said, was called New Hope.

“In 1912, the African American community was no longer welcome in Forsyth County,” Webb said. “Horrible atrocities affected Black families at the time, forcing them to flee the county, leave behind their homes, their livelihoods, their belongings, and yes, even their schools, including the original New Hope.”

While Forsyth County can’t change its history, Webb said, it can acknowledge it.

“We vow that history will not repeat itself,” Webb said. “That is why we are proud to be the new New Hope. Our New Hope will be a new beginning. Our New Hope will welcome all students, families and visitors from our community, and [it] will be a place where everyone feels respected, valued and connected.”

The event was attended by Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Jeff Bearden and School Board members Lindsey Adams, Kristin Morrissey, Wes McCall, Tom Cleveland and Darla Light. State School Superintendent Richard Woods and other elected officials were also there.

High Meadows School –

Inspiring future global citizens and innovative leaders

Brought to you by – High Meadows School

There is no place like High Meadows School. Since 1973, High Meadows students in Pre-K through 8th grade have learned through experiential, immersive educational opportunities offered both in the school’s spacious, light-filled classrooms and across 42 acres of grassy fields and scenic woodlands. High Meadows School’s progressive curriculum is focused on developing future global citizens and innovative leaders who embrace challenge and think for themselves.

High Meadows lower years classrooms offer low studentteacher ratios in which instruction emphasizes academic excellence, love of learning, critical thinking and environmental and social responsibility. As a nationally recognized and award-winning leader in progressive education, High Meadows is an accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) World School offering its renowned Primary Years Program for students in preschool through fifth grade.

High Meadows School’s accomplished and experienced faculty lead each student on this journey. Through interactive, inquiry-

based instruction, supported by of-the-moment technology and our nature-based campus, High Meadows teachers are unequaled in their intellect, passion, and compassion for these kids. Every day they inspire authentic learning opportunities that are engaging and sticky (literally and figuratively!).

When children graduate from High Meadows, they are empowered with a deep respect for international perspectives, an intuitive understanding of life’s interconnectedness, and an exceedingly strong sense of self. Education is an expedition that starts from the moment we are born. When we teach children to be curious and inquiring at an early age, we create within them a love of learning that lasts an entire lifetime. What is more important than that?

Please visit our website at highmeadows.org or call 770-9932940 to learn more about High Meadows School.

Education solutions for every mind, every age

Brought to you by - Eaton Academy

Eaton Academy offers multiple programs, both in person and online, since a “one size fits all” approach to education is not effective in today’s world.

Academic Programs

The full-day K-12 school, with its 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio, allows instructors to address students’ individual learning styles, while maintaining social distancing. Students achieve significant academic and personal success resulting from STEAM-related activities and multisensory instruction. The challenging college-prep curriculum is delivered in a safe, nurturing environment.

For students with more significant academic and social needs, the Pace Program helps students develop life skills and independent living strategies. Pace students follow the traditional school day and work to develop greater self-sufficiency and independence, on their way to earning a high school diploma.

The Independent Study Program (ISP), tailored to students’ schedules and academic needs, permits individuals to work at their own pace. The tutorial setting enables aspiring athletes and performers to work toward

graduation while following their dreams. Some students enroll in ISP to accelerate their scholastic work; others seek academic remediation. ISP arranges the one-to-one sessions on a schedule that accommodates the students’ needs for flexibility.

Post-Graduate Programs

LEAP is designed to help individuals strengthen their life skills in order to achieve greater independence. Participants benefit from job readiness training, life skill development, and scholastic support.

The LIFE program places young adults into their own apartments. Participants meet with a LIFE coach several times each week for support with topics such as budgeting, hygiene, roommate relations, and housekeeping.

Supported Employment prepares young adults for the workplace. Assistance is given with resume writing, applying for positions, and keeping a job.

College Exploratory offers individuals college level, non-credit courses so they can gauge their readiness for university life.

Eaton Academy is the ideal place for families to discover education options and independent living solutions.

Meet your state superintendent

Richard Woods was elected the Georgia State Schools Superintendent in 2014 and reelected in 2018.

With over 25 years of education experience, Richard Woods has served as the Georgia State Schools Superintendent since he was elected in 2014. He was reelected to the role in 2018.

Woods was born in Pensacola, Florida and moved around the country with his military family growing up. He settled in Georgia, where he received a bachelor’s degree from Kennesaw State University and a master’s degree from Valdosta State University.

Woods was a high school social studies teacher for 14 years, where he also served as department chair and a teacher mentor. After serving as a high school teacher Woods spend eight years in various administrative roles. Woods worked as a principal, assistant principal, Kindergarten through

fifth grade curriculum director, pre-K director and home school director.

Outside of the classroom, Woods was a lead purchasing agent for a multi-national laser company and a former small business owner.

Woods has received state and national recognition for his work. In 2017, he received the National Art Education Association’s award for distinguished service in fine arts education.

In 2021, Woods was named an honorary member of the Georgia Young Farmer Association and received an honorary degree from the Future Farmers of America.

Woods and his wife Lisha, a retired educator with 30 years of experience are residents of Tifton and have been married for over 30 years.

Great minds think differently

Brought to you byThe Cottage School

Since 1985, The Cottage School (TCS) has provided a comprehensive program for students with learning differences grades 3-12. TCS offers a business-based model that promotes self-advocacy and fosters self-confidence, preparing them for life after graduation to pursue post-secondary educational paths or vocational opportunities. Our accredited college preparatory curriculum meets Georgia graduation standards and HOPE scholarship requirements to take students to graduation and beyond.

Our students, in all grades, enjoy unique experiential learning with electives based on their interests and clubs including archery, drama, forensics, robotics, horticulture and amazing off-campus experiences throughout the year.

The school’s beautiful 23-acre Roswell campus is a hidden

gem in North Fulton, with small class sizes our students develop meaningful connections to our teaching staff. Our cottages are unique and warm learning environments that include computer and science labs, art studios, a multi-purpose athletic and performing arts facility, indoor and outdoor classrooms, and trails for mountain biking and cross-country. TCS encourages students of all abilities to participate in athletics by offering sports such as soccer, basketball, baseball, cross-country, tennis, and golf.

The Cottage School has built a one-of-a-kind learning environment perfect for students who learn differently. TCS offers 12-month rolling admissions for all grade levels. Visit our website or call for a campus tour today.

The Cottage School

700 Grimes Bridge Road Roswell, Georgia 30075 770-641-8688

www.cottageschool.org

Northern metro-Atlanta counties see graduation rate growth in 2022

By ALEX POPP Appen Media / October 2022

ATLANTA — Graduation rates for counties in north Metro Atlanta are on the rise, according to data released by the Georgia Department of Education Oct. 6.

Data for Georgia’s highschool graduation rate in 2022 shows that many north metro

school districts, including Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb and Gwinnett counties, experienced significant graduation rate increases compared to 2021, mirroring the rise seen at the state level.

Georgia’s statewide graduation rate rose from 83. 7 percent in 2021 to 84.2 percent in 2022 — an all-time high since Georgia began using

the graduation rate calculation required by federal law, state officials said.

Of the major Metro Atlanta counties, Fulton reported the largest increase to its graduation rate, with an increase from 87.7 percent in 2021 to 89.3 percent in 2022.

“We are so proud of our incredible students, teachers and administrators who have pulled through two extremely challenging years showing tenacity in the face of uncertainty,” Fulton County Superintendent Mike Looney said. “Fulton County Schools continues to concentrate our efforts on recovery and progress with the goal of graduation always in our sights.”

Forsyth County’s graduation rate held steady in 2022. However, system officials said the district has held a 96 percent graduation rate, one of the highest in the state, for three consecutive years.

Here’s how major metroAtlanta counties did in 2022:

Statewide – 0.5 percent increase – 84.2 graduation rate

Cobb County – 0.2 percent increase – 87.4 graduation rate

DeKalb County – 0.8 percent increase – 76.2 graduation rate

Forsyth County – 0 percent increase – 96.4 graduation rate

Fulton County – 1.6 percent increase – 87.7 graduation rate

Gwinnett County – 0.7 percent increase – 83.2 graduation rate

“Teachers and students who persevered through the challenges of the last several years deserve credit for Georgia’s graduation rate increasing and other recent positive indicators, like Georgia students beating the SAT national average once again,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “I commend Georgia’s educators and the class of 2022 and am confident we will continue to see improvements as we expand opportunities for students and invest in the academic recovery of our state.”

Alpharetta graduate elected president of Harvard Lampoon

By DELANEY TARR Appen Media / January 2023

ALPHARETTA, GA. — Suchetas Bokil is entering the year as the first South Asian president of the Harvard Lampoon, a 146-year-old nationally circulated humor magazine run by Harvard students.

It’s a historic step for the publication, but 20-year-old Bokil is “excited for what’s to come.”

The Harvard Lampoon has a long list of famous alumni, with former presidents Conan O’ Brien, “Saturday Night Live” writer and star Colin Jost, and “Parks and Recreation” creator Michael Shur.

Bokil, who grew up in Alpharetta, entered Harvard in 2020 after graduating from Alpharetta High School, but comedy wasn’t a part of his original plan.

“I used to love consuming (comedy) but I don’t think it’s ever something I thought of as a serious field to study or dive into,” Bokil said.

Bokil loved watching “Saturday Night Live” and late-night comedy shows throughout middle and high school, but when choosing a college major he looked toward his experience as a policy debater.

“My high school years, there was so much going on in national politics, it felt like an important time to get involved,” Bokil said.

He chose to major in government and politics, then dove into politics-oriented extracurriculars his first year of college. Soon, he was drawn in by the looming Harvard Lampoon building he called “mysterious.”

“Not only do I enjoy consuming it and seeing it happen, but the chance to make that comedy is really special,” Bokil said.

Bokil applied to the Harvard Lampoon his freshman year but got cut in the final round of applications. It left him with enough interest that Bokil applied again in the fall of his sophomore year and got in.

“I’ve spent the last year or so writing a lot, doing a lot of work around the place, doing almost a janitorial role,” Bokil said.

He was elected president of the publication in December and started his year-long tenure in January.

“There’s a lot of pressure in a good way, in the sense that you’re stepping into big shoes,” Bokil said. “There’s a sense of oh wow, so many people have done this.”

The Lampoon has been the start of many successful comedy careers, but Bokil is more focused on the work he does now than any future opportunities.

“At the lampoon, what makes it so cool is there’s no pre-professional sense about it,” Bokil said. “The goal should be to be funny, to be good at being funny.”

Bokil knows he wants to write comedy professionally, but he only started pursuing the field professionally in the past year. He maintained the government and politics major but added an English minor to round out his schooling.

“There’s so much overlap in politics and comedy,” Bokil said. He pointed to the variety of late-night shows with a political spin as ways his knowledge could help.

Bokil said the Alpharetta community

has been supportive, if not surprised.

“I think my parents and family, they’ve been very supportive,” Bokil said. “They were a little bit like, ‘are you sure you want to be doing this?’”

Bokil said he’s always been extroverted, but his comedy interest was completely out of left field from his earlier interests.

Still, Bokil joked “I would hope my friends consider me somewhat funny.”

As a full-time student, Bokil spends most of the year on campus, but he comes back to Alpharetta when he can.

“I see a lot of my teachers at Alpharetta High School, and they’re all very supportive,” Bokil said. “They thought it was very funny at first.”

Bokil is set to graduate in the spring of 2024 and has plans to write some “fresh material” and possible literary scripts. Right now, though, he’s focused on “producing funny content” for the Lampoon.

Suchetas Bokil, an Alpharetta High School graduate, was elected Harvard Lampoon’s first South Asian president in the publication’s 146-year existence.

Dekalb County

Meet the superintendent and the board of education

Interim Superintendent Vasanne S. Tinsley

After more than 25 years in education and following her 2020 retirement, Dr. Vasanne Tinsley was asked to return to the DeKalb County School District as interim superintendent in April 2022.

As interim superintendent, Tinsley manages the day-to-day operations of the DeKalb County School District; a diverse educational system with more than 94,000 students, 14,500 employees and budget of $2.6 billion.

Before her retirement, Tinsley served as deputy superintendent of student support and intervention for the district, overseeing student support services, athletics, student relations, school choice options, English learners, post-secondary transition, public safety and community/family engagement.

Tinsley also served as the district’s director of student support and assistant director of guidance, counseling and mentoring.

“Dr. Tinsley’s invaluable experience as a respected school counselor and administrator has earned her admiration as a tireless advocate for schools, students, educators, staff and community partners,” officials said.

An Atlanta native, Tinsley holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Spelman College, a Master of Science in counseling psychology and a doctorate in educational leadership from Clark Atlanta University.

She serves on the Board of Trustees for the Georgia nonprofit, Quality Care for Children, and as a community representative for the Georgia Department of Early Childhood Head Start Policy Council.

DeKalb County Board of Education Meet

the School Board

District 1 – Anna Hill

Anna_Hill@dekalbschoolsga.org

Board member since 2021; Term expires Dec. 31, 2025

A 20-year resident of DeKalb County and native of Northern Virginia, Anna Hill was elected to the DeKalb County Board of Education as District 1 representative in 2020.

DeKalb County School System District 1 encompasses the county’s northern tip and includes 10 elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools, and several other charter schools and other facilities. Hill is a certified public accountant and has worked in various professional roles, including white-collar crime investigations, business litigation matters, audits and other accounting investigations. Hill also founded Accounting We Will Go, a nationwide accounting and business training service.

District 2 – Whitney McGinniss whitney_McGinniss@dekalbschoolsga.org

Board member since 2023; Term expires Dec. 31, 2026

The newest DeKalb County Board of Education member, Whitney McGinniss took over the system’s District 2 seat Jan. 6, 2023, following the retirement of longtime board member Marshall Orson. McGinniss, a Decatur resident, is a longtime public servant with 20 years of experience in government and nonprofit sectors. McGinniss works as a grant manager for Partnership Against Domestic Violence and serves as a member of the Parent Teacher Association and the Druid Hills Middle School Principal’s Advisory Council. McGinniss received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of South Florida and her master’s degree in public policy from Georgia State University. She also serves on the board of the Laurel Ridge Shamrock Civic Association. Prior to serving on the DeKalb County School Board, she was a member of the Principal Advisory Council for Druid Hills Middle School.

District 3 - Deirdre P. Pierce deirdre_pierce@dekalbschoolsga.org

Board member since 2021; Term expires Dec. 31, 2025

A native of Chicago, Deirdre Pierce has been a south DeKalb County resident for more than 46 years and has served as a board member representing District 3 since 2021. She serves as the Board of Education’s Vice Chair.

Pierce earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Spelman College and worked for Delta Air Lines for more than 33 years, serving as a substitute teacher in DeKalb County on many of her off days.

Pierce also served on the East Lake Family YMCA Board of Directors, Georgia PTA Board, local School Councils and PTAs, Junior League of DeKalb County, Inc. Community Advisory, and President of the DeKalb County Council of PTAs. Due to Pierce’s many years of community service, she was selected as one of twelve PTA community advocates from across the country, to be recognized as a White House Champion of Change by the Obama Administration.

District 4 - Allyson Gevertz

allyson_gevertz@dekalbschoolsga.org

Board member since 2018; term expires Dec. 31, 2026

A native of Oklahoma, Allyson Gevertz has served as the DeKalb County Board of Education District 4 representative since 2018.

Gevertz served for several years as a school psychologist for Gwinnett County Public Schools and has recently worked as a community advocate in DeKalb County, focusing on sexual assault prevention. She served as president of the Junior League of DeKalb County and is currently on the Board of Directors for Leadership DeKalb.

She received her bachelor’s degree from Emory University and received her master’s and specialist degrees in school psychology from Tufts University.

District 5 - Vickie B. Turner

vickie_turner@dekalbschoolsga.org

Board member since 2014; Term expires on Dec. 31, 2025

Vickie B. Turner is an educator with more than 24 years of experience and has lived in DeKalb County for over 20 years. She was first elected to the DeKalb County Board of Education in 2014 and represents District 5.

Currently, she serves as headmaster of The Augustine Preparatory Academy of Atlanta in Decatur, where she has worked since 1992. She also serves on the executive board of the Decatur Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and as vice-chairman of the Board of Grio’s Fire, a performing arts theater company. Turner has a master’s degree in education from Troy State University and a bachelor’s degree in science from Bowling Green State University.

Dekalb County 2023 School Calendar

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

Diijon_Dacosta@dekalbschoolsga.org

Board member since 2018; term expires Dec. 31, 2026

Diijon DaCosta has served the DeKalb County Board of Education representing District 6 since 2018 and serves as the board chair.

A DeKalb County resident and graduate of Redan High School, DaCosta joined the DeKalb County School District as an educator in 2014 before moving on to serve in the school system’s Department of Human Resources.

DaCosta founded the nonprofit organization DeKalb Kids Project, which focuses on emphasizing the importance of academic success and leadership amongst the youth of DeKalb County. Throughout his career, DaCosta has received a number of different awards, including the 2015 Community Leadership Award and the 2016 Building on A Legacy Award.

DaCosta graduated from Kennesaw State University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

joyce_morley@dekalbschoolsga.org

Board member since 2013; term expires Dec. 31, 2025

The longest-serving member of the DeKalb County Board of Education, Joyce Morley has served as District 7 representative since 2013, when she was appointed by former Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal.

Morley is the owner and CEO of Morley & Associates, Inc. and J. Morley Productions Inc. and is affectionately known as the “Doctor of Hope.”

She holds a bachelor’s of science in Elementary Education/Psychology from SUNY Geneseo, a master’s of science in Counseling from SUNY Brockport, specialist degrees in Counseling and Education Administration from SUNY Brockport, and a doctorate degree in counseling, family, and work life from the University of Rochester.

She has served as a public school system educator, a post-secondary level professor, and has worked as a motivational/keynote speaker at the national, state and local levels for many years.

District 6 - Diijon DaCosta Sr.

District 7 - Joyce Morley

College Fair

Kennesaw State University

Located 25 miles from Atlanta, Kennesaw State University offers 13 colleges and more than 170 degree undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. It has two campuses, one in Kennesaw and another in Marietta, and is one of the largest universities in the state

Programs: Bagwell College of Education, Coles College of Business, College of Architecture and Construction Management, College of Computing and Software Engineering, College of Professional Education, Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, College of the Arts, Graduate College, KSU Journey Honors College, Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering & Engineering Technology, Wellstar College of Health and Human Services

Online classes? Yes

Fall 2021 enrollment: 43,300

Semesters or quarters? Semesters

Student organizations: Over 400, including student governance and media, athletics, Greek life, community service and advocacy.

Website: www.kennesaw.edu

Georgia State University

Located in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia State is an urban public research university and national model for student success. One of the largest universities in the state and the nation, Georgia State provides more than 53,000 students with unsurpassed access to opportunities in one of America’s great global cities.

Programs: Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions, College of Arts & Sciences, College of Education & Human Development, College of Law, College of the Arts, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Robinson College of Business, School of Public Health

Online classes? Yes

Fall 2022 enrollment: 51,000

Semesters or quarters? Semesters

Student organizations: Over 400 organizations covering leadership, activism, arts, politics, academics, religion, recreation and more.

Website: www.gsu.edu

University of Georgia — Gwinnett Campus

Located 30 miles from Atlanta, the University of Georgia Gwinnett Campus serves the needs of busy working professionals. It offers graduate-level programs with accommodating schedules, including night and Saturday classes, to help students maintain a balance with their careers and families. Non-credit professional development courses are also available.

Programs: Education, public health, industrial/organizational psychology, public administration, social work, therapy, organization and transformational coaching

Online classes? Yes

2020 enrollment: 500

Semesters or quarters? Semesters

Student organizations: Opportunities for networking and exploring arts and culture

Website: www.gwinnett.uga.edu

University of North Georgia

Formed through the consolidation of North Georgia College & State University and Gainesville State College in 2013, the University of North Georgia has five campuses in Blue Ridge, Cumming, Dahlonega, Gainesville and Oconee.

Programs: College of Arts & Letters, Mike Cottrell College of Business, College of Education, College of Health Sciences & Professions, College of Science & Mathematics, University College and more

Fall 2022 enrollment: 18,000

Online classes? Yes

Student organizations: Various organizations on each campus including social, athletics, honors, service and advocacy groups.

Website: www.ung.edu

Life University

Life University is in Marietta, just 20 miles away from Atlanta. It has 16 accredited degree programs for undergraduate and graduate students that focus on health and wellness.

Online classes? Yes

Fall 2022 enrollment: 2,800

Semesters or quarters? Quarters

Student organizations: 100 organizations including academic and student governance

Website: www.life.edu

Lanier Technical College

Lanier Technical College has campuses in Gainesville, Cumming, Winder, Dawsonville and Commerce. It provides career-centric technical education programs with customized business and industry training.

Programs: Automotive and transportation, building, electrical & manufacturing, business, cyber & computer, engineering, healthcare, personal & public service and public safety.

Online classes? Yes

Fall 2022 enrollment: 5,000

Semesters or quarters? Semesters

Website: www.laniertech.edu

Gwinnett Technical College

Gwinnett Technical College offers more than 140 associate degree, diploma and certificate programs, with campuses in Lawrenceville and Alpharetta. It also offers online and weekend classes for busy professionals.

Programs: Engineering, construction, manufacturing & design, business sciences, computer sciences, nursing sciences, public and professional services, health sciences and more.

Online classes? Yes

Fall 2022 enrollment: 8,600

Semesters or quarters? Semesters

Student organizations: More than 25, including honors, science, sustainability and student government organizations.

Website: www.gwinnetttech.edu

Interested in attending a school that isn’t too far from home? We’ve narrowed down the schools within 30 or so miles of Atlanta and give you the details on each institution.

Fulton, Forsyth open new schools

By SHELBY ISRAEL Appen Media / January 2023

METRO ATLANTA — The Fulton County and Forsyth County School Districts have added six new schools and two new facilities since the 2021 academic year.

The Forsyth County School District opened New Hope Elementary in 2022. The school is located at 4810 Castleberry Road in Cumming, and it offers grades pre-K through fifth with an enrollment of 1,049 students. It is headed by Principal Laura Webb, and Assistant Principals Heather Smith and Katie Baldwin.

The new school follows Hendricks Middle School, East Forsyth High School and the new facility for the Academies for Creative Education that opened in 2021.

Midway Elementary School is also scheduled to be replaced with a new building in 2024. The original school opened in 1961 along with the Hill Education

Center, which was formerly known as Cumming Elementary School. Fulton County Schools Chief Communications Officer Brian Noyes said the district has opened three new schools in recent years.

The FCS Innovation Academy opened in August 2021. The academy, located at 125 Milton Ave. in Alpharetta, is a STEM magnet school for students at Cambridge, Alpharetta, Centennial, Chattahoochee, Johns Creek, Milton, North Springs, Northview, Riverwood and Roswell High Schools. The school is helmed by Principal Scott Kent and Assistant Principals Haaris Quraishy, Jessica Lundy and Agnes Browning. Its 2022 fall enrollment was 1,150.

The Global Impact Academy, another STEM magnet school located at 155 Shaw Drive in Fairburn, opened in fall 2021 as well. Anthony Newbold is the academy’s principal, and Chasity Mosley serves as assistant principal.

Take the first step toward a successful future

Brought to you by − Gwinnett Technical College

Gwinnett Technical College serves more than 10,000 students annually. Located in Lawrenceville and Alpharetta, Gwinnett Tech offers more than 140 associate degrees, diplomas, certificate programs, and hundreds of seminars, workshops, and courses providing specialized training to the community.

Gwinnett Tech offers career training in many high-demand industries, such as healthcare, business, engineering, computer sciences, and more. Many of our graduates are hired at top companies in the area and have positions before they graduate. Our hands-on training and classroom instruction align with business and industry demands and is a primary reason we have a 99% job placement rate. Transfer credits are accepted, and we offer many options to assist with paying for college.

Students can change their life in two years or less with little to no debt. Flexible class schedules are available with day, evening, online, in-person, or hybrid options at our two campuses. With its strong community partnerships, Gwinnett Tech also meets the needs of the businesses and industries in North Fulton. Through these partnerships and conversations, Gwinnett Tech created certificates for Amazon Web Services Cloud Solutions Specialist and iOS App Development in Swift to support local businesses and the growing technology sector in North Fulton. These programs use curriculum and hands-on training to provide students with the skills and competencies they need to prepare for a successful career in these growing industries.

In addition, For more information, please visit GwinnettTech.edu.

Unleash your best self at Life University

Brought to you by – Life University

Building on a long history of chiropractic leadership, Life University offers all students, in all areas of study, the opportunity to connect to purpose and live their potential. Life U is for students who seek hands-on experiences in a close, personal learning environment; a tranquil campus adjacent to all the career opportunities of metro Atlanta; and an education that guides students to their highest level of personal and professional success.

While Life University is most known for its Doctor of Chiropractic program (the largest single-campus chiropractic program in the world), the University also offers 14 undergraduate degrees and a pre-Doctor of Chiropractic pathway. Four graduate degrees are available, encompassing areas of sport health science, clinical nutrition,

business administration and positive psychology. Some degree programs are also offered to distance learners through the College of Online Education.

LIfe U’s 110-acre campus in Marietta, Georgia, just northwest of Atlanta, is home to more than 2,700 students who come from all 50 United States and more than 65 countries.

The University strives to empower its students to succeed both professionally and personally. At Life U, we innovate our approach to higher education, while also remaining true to our philosophical commitment to produce informed leaders who exemplify humanistic values in their professions. To achieve this goal, Life U recognizes and demonstrates its dedication through three official Life University Values: Lasting Purpose, Vitalism and Integrity.

Forsyth County

Meet the superintendent and the board of education

Superintendent Dr. Jeff Bearden jbearden@forsyth.k12.ga.us

Jeff Bearden joined Forsyth County Schools as superintendent in 2014, following a career in education that has spanned more than 25 years.

Bearden spent the first part of his educational career in Maine as a social studies and language arts teacher, eventually rising to become superintendent of the Maine School Administrative District No. 35 and the Limestone School Department. Along the way, Bearden also served as an assistant superintendent, assistant principal, district athletic director and varsity basketball coach.

Prior to joining Forsyth County Schools, he was superintendent of Rome City Schools and Fayette County Schools in Georgia.

Bearden holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Maine and a doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. He is also a third-generation veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Bearden is a member of Georgia School Superintendents Association, which selected him as a finalist for Superintendent of the Year in 2021, and the American Association of School Administrators. He also served on the Governor’s Education Advisory Board under former Gov. Nathan Deal.

In summer 2020, Bearden was among a select group of educators from across the country invited to the White House to share insights on how to safely reopen schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bearden and his wife, Lisa, who is an elementary school teacher, have three children.

Forsyth County Board of Education

The Forsyth County Board of Education is the governing board of the district and is composed of five members, elected by district, to staggered, four-year terms. The primary role of the School Board is the legislation of school system policies, which are executed under the direction of the school superintendent. The School Board meets monthly at the Forsyth County Board of Education and Professional Development Center, 1120 Dahlonega Highway in Cumming. Meetings may be viewed on YouTube or TV Forsyth Live.

Meet the School Board

District

WMcCall@forsyth.k12.ga.us

Elected in 2018; current term expires in 2026

Wesley McCall has been a resident of Forsyth County since 2002. He has been an active parent in the Forsyth County School System serving as a student mentor, classroom volunteer and member of the PTA Board and the Local School Council.

McCall’s involvement in the community includes student development through his church youth group, founding the Emerging Leaders Program through North Fulton Leadership, working with the Georgia Department of Education to develop career path curriculum for the public safety industry, volunteering as a Boy Scout leader and serving on several educational boards.

McCall holds an undergraduate degree from Grand Canyon University in Christian leadership and a graduate degree from Columbus State in public administration. He and his family attend Browns Bridge Church.

District 2 – Lindsey Adams (Vice Chairperson)

LiAdams@forsyth.k.12.ga.us

Elected in 2020; current term ends in 2024

A resident of Forsyth County since 2012, Lindsey Adams has four children who attend Forsyth County schools and has been a classroom parent and a member of the Local School Council at Haw Creek Elementary, and she served on the Superintendent’s Parent and Community Advisory committee.

Adams also volunteers in several community organizations, including Keep Forsyth County Beautiful, the Cumming Women’s Center, Special Olympics Georgia and the Task Force for Child Survival and Development.

She earned degrees in English and in education with moderate special needs from Boston College. Adams taught 6th grade at Shamrock Middle School in Dekalb County, and she has also worked in the insurance industry.

District 3 - Tom Cleveland

TCleveland@forsyth.k12.ga.us

Elected in 2005; current term ends in 2024

Tom Cleveland served as the co-chair of the district’s Vision 2010 steering committee and was a member of the Teacher of the Year Selection Committee, Sex Education Committee and

various other roles within the school system.

He serves as a judge at FIRST Robotics competitions, and he is a Citizen Emergency Response Team member, a graduate of Citizen Law Enforcement Academy, a member of the Amateur Radio Emergency Services group and a member of the Forsyth County Drug Awareness Council.

Raised in DeKalb County, Cleveland moved his family to Forsyth County in 1995 where his two sons attended Forsyth County schools. He works in the HR technology sector.

District 4 - Darla Light (Chairperson)

dlight@forsyth.k12.ga.us

Elected in 2009; current term ends in 2024

Raised in Forsyth County, Darla Light graduated from Forsyth County High School and attended the University of Georgia where she majored in special education.

She and her husband David, a former educator, have three children who are all North Forsyth High School graduates.

Light served as an elementary PTSO officer for three years and a middle school PTSO officer for two years, and she coached middle school basketball. She is a member of FCS 2400 Challenge Committee and is active in the North Forsyth 400 Rotary Club.

A small business owner, Light owns Browns Bridge Boat and Mini Storage in Cumming.

District 5 – Mike Valdes mvaldes@forsyth.k12.ga.us

Elected in 2022; current term ends in 2026

Mike Valdes and his wife Florencia relocated to Forsyth County in 2012. They served as leaders and deacons in youth ministry at Alpha and Omega Church in Miami, where Valdes focused on troubled youth, substance abuse and gang outreach ministries for more than 10 years.

Valdes has served on various PTOs, local school councils, volunteer task forces, and he has volunteered as a coach for recreational leagues.

Valdes is passionate about fine arts, STEM and business leadership, and he has helped to develop the county’s community task forces’ strategic plan.

Valdes earned degrees in civil engineering and construction management from the Miami Dade College and Florida International University. He has 22 years of experience in the field.

Valdes and his wife have three children in Forsyth County schools.

1 – Wes McCall

Student health-center opening at Cumming Elementary

By CHAMIAN CRUZ Appen Media / September 2022

FORSYTH COUNTY — Forsyth County Schools is partnering with Georgia Highlands Medical Services to open a school-based health center at Cumming Elementary School.

The Forsyth County Board of Education approved a memorandum of understanding with the facility at a meeting in September. Georgia Highlands Medical Services is a private nonprofit community health center founded in 1979. It provides services to over 5,000 children, 90 percent of them low-income. In the past four years, it’s grown from one pediatric provider to four.

While an opening date has not been set, the school-based health center at Cumming Elementary School will provide on-site medical and mental health services for students and staff, especially to those who do not have a primary care physician, to promote health and academic success.

Sarah Taylor, Forsyth County Schools associate superintendent for student services, said Cumming Elementary School was chosen for the school-based health center because of its location and Title I status. The plan is for the school to collect parents’ consent for their student to use the clinic at the start of the year, and when they need to visit the clinic, they can be on the phone with them but won’t need to show up to the school in person.

“Having the school-based health center will allow both the students and the staff to obtain immediate medical care so that they may return to school and work without delay once it’s safe to do so,” Taylor said. “The health center will have the ability to accept individual and family insurance, and if they’re uninsured, the health center will have a very reasonable sliding fee scale.”

Forsyth County Schools Health Services Facilitator Heidi Avila said Emory University’s Department of Pediatrics has been advocating for these type of health centers for the past 10 years, working on grants through the Georgia Department of Educations to make them possible.

Avila said Georgia Highlands Medical Services has already received funding through the Health Resources and

Services Administration and Georgia Primary Care Association as well as secured a nurse practitioner and licensed clinical social worker for the clinic at Cumming Elementary School.

Currently, there are 54 school-based health centers in Georgia, with many more in the planning stages, Avila said. The Georgia School-Based Health Alliance works to promote and support schoolbased health centers across the state.

“This is not new, but I think we’re going to start seeing this a lot across our counties,” Avila said. “Across our country, there’s 2,500, so there’s definitely a growing [need] for this.”

The school-based health center at Cumming Elementary School will operate independently from the school but will work in partnership with the school nurses. It will also have a secure exterior entrance and exit to the building and will include two exam rooms and a lobby area.

“[Students and staff] can be offered same-day sick visits, wellcare appointments, completion of

state required immunizations, sports physicals, completion of health forms that are required for student registration, and assistance with care plans and preventative treatment to manage chronic health conditions,” Avila said. “Again, for students that may not have access to those services, our school community will certainly benefit from this partnership.”

Avila said the school can expect to have healthier students with the opening of the clinic, and in turn, see attendance rates rise. She added that the schoolbased health center will allow families to remain at work while providing them with more financial security.

“We know that healthier students learn better on a larger scale for our state,” Avila said. “This also helps reduce Medicaid costs and reduce emergency room visits.”

School Board Vice Chairwoman Kristin Morrissey said the initiative seems like a great way to build trust and get students and their families in the habit of seeing a doctor on a regular basis.

FORSYTH COUNTY SCHOOLS/SCREENSHOT Sarah Taylor, Forsyth County Schools associate superintendent for Student Services, and Health Services Facilitator Heidi Avila explain what the new school-based health center will look like at Cumming Elementary School after the school board approved a memorandum of understanding with Georgia Highlands Medical Services to open one at its Sept. 20 meeting.

How to get mental crisis help as a student (or for a student)

By ALEXANDER POPP Appen Media / February 2023

No matter what the cause is, it’s often hard to know where to turn for help during a crisis. Especially when that crisis is being faced by a young person, who may not have an adult they can confide in or may feel ashamed and uncomfortable addressing the crisis head-on.

The bottom line is – it’s not easy addressing big problems without someone in your corner.

But luckily for young people and parents in north metro Atlanta, there are dozens of different resources that can be accessed immediately and anonymously for getting help.

Fulton County

In 2018 Fulton County introduced the Text4Help program, which allows students to receive mental health support from licensed clinicians and has since been expanded to include all high schools and middle schools in the district.

To get help for anxiety, stress and other mental health issues, students can anonymously text their unique school code to 1-844-201-9946 to receive a response from a licensed clinician within three to five minutes.

“In the wake of the pandemic, social unrest, and virtual learning, to name a few challenges for our youth, the district wants our students to know there is always someone there to listen,” Fulton County School System officials said.

Fulton County students can also receive help from the Office of Student Supports and multiple different partnerships with mental health organizations throughout the county.

Learn more about Fulton County Schools’ mental health resources

by visiting www.fultonschools.org/ Page/646.

Forsyth County

The Forsyth County School System has a suite of services for students in crisis, including bullying prevention and support, student mentoring, and suicide prevention tools, all of which can be accessed through the Forsyth County Student Support Department.

“It is the goal of Prevention Services to educate students, parents, and educators on methods to strengthen protective factors and reduce risktaking behaviors,” Forsyth County officials said. “Prevention initiatives seek to create environments that support healthy behaviors and build healthy community norms by using evidence-based strategies.”

Learn more about Forsyth County Schools’ mental health resources by visiting https://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/ page/676.

DeKalb County

In DeKalb County, students have

access to a variety of different tools like counseling and mentoring, student relation services, psychological services, health services and migrant education services through the Division of Equity and Student Empowerment.

“The Division of Equity and Student Empowerment staff work tirelessly to help identify and mitigate academic, affective, medical, behavioral, and/or societal factors that could potentially impede the academic success of students,” DeKalb County School System officials said. “The Department’s goal is to support the mission of the district by ensuring student success, leading to higher education, work, and lifelong learning.”

Through the Division of Equity and Student Empowerment, students and parents have access to dozens of different in-house programs and community resources to meet any need or crisis.

Learn more about DeKalb County Schools’ crisis resources by visiting https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/ dese/.

School system offers guidance on bullying

This information was provided by the Fulton County School System as part of the “Parent Safety Toolkit,” which lists facts and tips on bullying for parents and children.

Bullying is distinctly different from disagreements between peers or aggressive behaviors between siblings or current dating partners and can be characterized by the following:

Intentional — unwanted, aggressive behavior intended to cause harm

Repeated — the unwanted behavior is repeated multiple times or has the likelihood to be repeated many times

Power imbalance — involves an imbalance of power between the target and perpetrator(s) based on a student’s real or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, physical appearance, sex, or other distinguishing characteristics.

Bullying can take many forms and can co-occur and include:

Direct — includes, but is not limited to, verbal abuse or physical aggression

Indirect—includes, but is not limited to,

name calling, social isolation, defamation, and rumor spreading Cyberbullying — any type of bullying that is carried out through electronic media

Bullying can have lasting effects for victims, perpetrators and bystanders into adulthood, and can take these forms: Psychological — increased prevalence of internalizing behaviors, like depression and anxiety Social — damage to social relationships, marginalization, and social withdrawal

Physiological — increased level of stress, somatic symptoms, and feelings of distress

Academic — decreased academic performance due to psychological and/or physiological symptoms and school absenteeism or school avoidance

Bullying involves a power differential between the bully and the victim that is based on real or perceived factors. Particularly vulnerable student populations can include:

• LGBTQ+ youth

• Students who have a physical, mental, or intellectual disability

• Students perceived as “different” due to weight, clothing or

socioeconomic status

Although bullying is pervasive and can have many effects, there are things that can be done to address these behaviors.

What can parents do?

• Model and teach respectful behavior systematically

• Develop, implement and enforce anti-bullying policies

• Recognize bullying as a mental health and relationship issue

• Use a comprehensive approach to address bullying

• Teach responsible use of technology

• Provide support to students who might be marginalized

Children can:

• Report instances of bullying to adults

• Address bullying with bystanders and stress importance and responsibility to stop harassment and intimidation

• Show kindness to all students

• Reach out to students who are being bullied

• Stand up to bullying if the situation is safe

Kemp continues to focus on education in second term

By CANDY WAYLOCK Appen Media / January 2023

ATLANTA, Ga.—In a spirited inaugural address Jan. 12, Gov. Brian Kemp took media and pundits to task and renewed his commitment to make education a priority in his second term.

“We listened to the people of our state…not the cocktail circuit [or] the so-called experts,” Kemp said before the crowd gathered at Georgia State University’s Convocation Center. “We gave Georgians the opportunity to go back to work, get their kids back in the classroom…and protect freedom to live their lives without fear of more government lockdowns, mandates and overreach.”

Kemp followed up on his commitment to education the next day by sending his amended FY 2023 budget to the Georgia Legislature which includes a $2,000 raise for teachers, pre-K teachers and certified kindergarten through 12th grade personnel.

If approved by the Legislature, the starting salary for firstyear teachers will rise this year to $40,500 and average more than $62,000 for the state’s 115,000 public school teachers. The increase could place Georgia among the top 20 states for teacher pay, which was a goal Kemp set in his first run for office.

“We know we need more teachers,” said Kemp, whose daughter is a teacher. “We [also] need to help our kids recover from learning loss, to keep our classrooms safe and [commit] to fully funding our schools once again.”

Educators express support

The Professional Association of Georgia Educators praised the governor’s budget proposal, pointing to the challenges of retaining teachers in the classroom over the past few years. (Statewide study probes deeper into teacher burnout | School News | appenmedia.com)

“We are encouraged by Gov. Kemp’s announcement today of a proposed $2,000 increase to the state salary schedule for Georgia pre-K–12 teachers and certified K-12 personnel,” said PAGE Executive Director Craig Harper. “There is no doubt that a salary increase would assist with recruitment and retention of excellent educators for Georgia’s children.

Four years ago, in his first run at the state’s top office, Kemp won ona platform of public education support. He was able to push through a $5,000 salary increase for teachers during that term.

If Kemp’s amended FY 2023 budget is approved by the Legislature as expected, teachers on the state salary schedule will have received a $7,000 pay hike in his first five years in office.

Moving into FY 2024, which begins July 1, Kemp’s proposed budget includes over $150 million in one-time grants for school districts to address school security, learning loss and create pathways for paraprofessional staff to become fully certified teachers.

Officials with the Georgia School Boards Association praised the governor’s efforts to continue supporting teachers and students.

“Governor Kemp has been financially supportive of Georgia’s

public schools once again this year, [and] we are particularly happy to see funding for items we asked for,” said Justin Pauley, director of communications for the association. “It may not look exactly as we hoped, but the school safety funding and additional counselors is greatly appreciated.

Georgia’s coffers are full

The state is well-positioned financially to support education, Kemp noted, despite the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic and shaky national economy over the past three years.

“As we look ahead to the upcoming fiscal year, we expect the state’s economy to be well positioned to withstand any further national economic slowing,” Kemp wrote in letter to lawmakers that accompanied his budget. “The amended FY 2023 and FY 2024 budgets [will] continue to meet our financial obligations as a state while also investing in the education, health, and safety of our citizens.”

Georgia is coming out of the pandemic in better shape than many states, with a projected surplus of $2.4 billion this year. Kemp noted Georgia has been among the top 10 states for business for the 9th year in a row.

If the governor has his way, much of the state’s tax surplus will be returned to taxpayers this year through tax refunds and a one-time homeowner property tax relief grant to help with rising local property taxes.

“Instead of catering to the talk shows or what is [trending] in media, this administration and the leadership in the General Assembly are going to put you and your families first…and spend the next four years focused on growing Georgia,” Kemp said in his inaugural speech. “This old construction guy from Athens has never been more optimistic about the future of our state.”

Georgia students campaign for education funding equity

By DELANEY TARR Appen Media / February 2023

ATLANTA — Francesca Ruhe and Mason Goodwin are ready to seize the power of young people, and they want to use it to bring equity to public school funding.

The two are registered lobbyists for their statewide organization, Georgia Youth Justice Coalition.

The organization has members from ages 14-22 focused on education justice in communities across Georgia. The nonprofit has grassroots and legislative divisions, all led by students and young people.

On Feb. 16, Ruhe and Goodwin sat outside the Georgia Capitol for a quick break from one of their legislative initiatives. The pair are part of a lobby day, put on in partnership with organizations including the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Deep Institute in Savannah.

Goodwin said the groups created a coalition called Fund Georgia’s Future, focused on “fair and full funding” for schools across the state.

The organizers are grateful for the help from their well-known partner organizations, but their focus is on what young people can bring to legislator’s offices.

“Legislators don’t expect some very highly motivated … young people who are demanding change,” Ruhe said. “We just kind of seize that power.”

At 18 years old, Francesca Ruhe lobbies in between classes at Georgia State University. For the Feb. 16 lobby day, she wore business attire — except for the bright yellow Converses, covered in pictures of Woodstock from the Peanuts cartoons.

Mason Goodwin, 20, is a student at Georgia State University.

They make up a fraction of Georgia Youth Justice Coalition, which has a “student base of hundreds” according to Ruhe. At the lobby day, their nonprofit brought about 25 students to the Capitol.

“There’s an infinite number of us, and we all have the same gripes with the public education system,” Ruhe said.

At the lobby day, the coalition of students and adults focused on an “opportunity weight,” which would add funding to schools that serve students in poverty.

“It could help make up the difference (in funding) between the richer schools in the North Metro Atlanta area and the South Metro area,” Ruhe said.

The opportunity weight is part of Georgia

House Bill 3, called the “Support for Students Living in Poverty Act” introduced in January.

Georgia is one of only six states with a school funding formula that does not provide additional funds to schools with low-income students. The state does provide equalization grants through the “Quality Basic Education Act,” which was passed in 1985. The grants focus on filling funding gaps for poor and rural areas.

Goodwin and Ruhe said their experiences in Georgia schools are fundamental to their legislative work, especially when it comes to education funding.

Ruhe said she saw educational disparity for the first time in middle school. In sixth grade she joined an organization called Page Turners, aimed at bringing books to underserved schools across Metro Atlanta.

As a volunteer, Ruhe traveled around Atlanta and interviewed authors in front of groups of kids.

“It was incredible, the disparities,” Ruhe said. “In my own personal upbringing, which I consider to be pretty privileged I had all the resources I needed to be a fluent reader.”

At an early age, Ruhe saw the impacts of economic disparity.

Mason Goodwin had a different

experience growing up but a similar takeaway. He was one of the “lower income, single-parent households kids” in Atlanta public schools.

Goodwin started in the general classes, where he was the only White student. In his junior year, Goodwin got pushed into honors classes. The classrooms were full of other White students.

“You start asking the kids and they’re like ‘Yeah, I’m getting tutors for my AP classes,’” Goodwin said. “You realize they have the resources to actually push through school.”

Goodwin said that “waking moment” pushed him into activism.

Ruhe and Goodwin said the Georgia Youth Justice coalition has been involved in major efforts, from on-the-ground work to stop book bans in Forsyth County to conversations about the school to prison pipeline in Gwinnett County.

“The beauty of the coalition is that we’re made up of students, and students always have a million different issues to contend with,” Ruhe said.

Even if the students don’t win every fight, the young organizers are optimistic.

“Just being here is a huge win,” Ruhe said.

GEORGIA YOUTH JUSTICE COALITION/PROVIDED A group of about 25 students from across Georgia participated in a “lobby day” with Georgia Youth Justice Coalition on Feb. 16. The organizers and lobbyists focused on the creation of an “opportunity weight” to help lowincome students in Georgia schools .