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2022-2023 GAC Today Magazine
Everything Starts as a Dream
Greater Atlanta Christian School (GAC) is a community of visionary leaders, faculty, staff, coaches, students, and parents. We are all made in the image of God, wired to create.
Dreamers have been a part of the framework of GAC since its beginning. When GAC visionaries purchased 175 acres of farmland off of a dirt road known as Indian Trail Road, one could not imagine how the campus would one day flourish over 50 years later. Opening our doors in 1968 to 150 students from seventh through twelfth grade, to now having over 1,800 students from six weeks old through high school, GAC has certainly come a long way from its beginnings. Some might say GAC has “made it.” But, we are anticipating, preparing, and dreaming about what is to come for our students of the future. Students at GAC 10 years from now will have different needs than current students, which is why we carefully consider and
prioritize ways to advance the quality, Christian education students receive.
“The Apostle Paul said, ‘I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.’ At the same time, Paul was not complacent about his circumstances,” Dr. David Fincher, GAC Chancellor said. “We have gratitude for how far GAC has come while recognizing that we’re not done yet. God’s dreams are never static. His dreams have constant life, rebirth, and metamorphosis. They are relevant to the current times and future times. ”
Many of the aspects of GAC that we now take for granted were once just a dream that God placed on the hearts of one or many people. Those dreamers took small steps forward in faith that resulted in huge advancements for the mission of GAC. Read on and be inspired to dream big!
A BEAUTIFUL AND INSPIRING CAMPUS COMMUNITY
THE DREAM: To grow GAC from school buildings to a school campus
From the earliest days, GAC leaders determined that the school would always be an early adopter of the best practices of learning and research in education.
After years of continually growing the quality of our academic program, GAC now leads Atlanta independent schools with an offering of 29 AP courses, 25 honors courses, 7 world languages, and over 40 High School STEM classes. Faculty are encouraged to pursue advanced degrees and receive intentional professional development throughout the year. Additionally, a huge part of that ongoing commitment to innovation depends on facilities. Resources were few in the early years but Jesse Long, GAC’s first school president, made the uncommon decision to include air conditioning and carpet in the first school buildings. While today those may seem to be simple amenities, they were a novel addition that took small steps towards a beautiful learning space that calls students up to excellence.
In the late 1990s, school leaders laid out a vision for a 10-year master plan that would take GAC through a radical transformation from merely school buildings to a beautiful campus that inspires community, connection, and collaboration. Thanks to the careful planning and leadership of GAC’s second president, Dr. David Fincher, as well as generous contributions from community members, that dream came to pass. During that time, buildings, such as the Sara D. Williams Fine Arts Center, Jim & Becky Combee Elementary Complex, Student-Family Center (renamed Fincher Student-Family Center in 2018), Jesse & Marilyn Long Forum, Freeman Aquatic Center, and Shanil R. Naik Athletic Training Center, were built to ensure students are provided with state-of-the-art spaces to reach their full potential. Since then, we have continued to take buildings forward, renovating and joining the history of the past with student needs of the future.
LEADERS IN EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION (Early adopter of 1-to-1 technology, Ethos School & GAC Sync)
THE DREAM: To innovate education and advance learning for each student
In 2010, GAC was the first private school in Atlanta to initiate one-to-one Apple devices (MacBook or iPad) for 6-12th grade students. GAC was ahead of the curve in adopting innovative tools to enhance learning. The school continues to dedicate resources to training faculty in integrating technology into education, and schools around the country visit GAC to observe the innovation in action. With a deep commitment to excellence in learning, GAC continues to advance with research-based best practices and the highest of standards of teaching and learning as evidenced by the breadth of our program, the layout of learning spaces, daily schedules, and technology resources. Today, students have the opportunity to take classes through GAC’s online school, Ethos School, and can choose daily whether to attend classes in-person or virtually through GAC Synchronous Learning (known as “GAC Sync”). These modalities of learning provide flexibility and customization in education that reflects modern workplaces and future careers for students.
ENVIRONMENT AL LEARNING IN THE NASMYTH ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
THE DREAM: To create a teaching garden that inspires hands-on learning
The first idea for our beloved K3-5th grade Environmental Learning space began as a tiny seed planted by Elementary teachers who desired more hands-on learning for their students. It all started when one teacher filled out an application for a Teaching Garden Grant through the American Heart Association.
As the garden grew, teachers began informally incorporating gardening into their weekly curriculum and GAC leaders started noticing the project’s interest and momentum. Lauren Hollier ‘84 (then Elementary teacher, now Middle School Academic Dean) said, “Knowing the importance of exploratory learning, we dreamed about having a greenhouse and animals. Someone just had to start it. You start small, but once you get enough people involved with a genuine interest, the big thing can take off.”
Recognizing the importance of stewardship and environmental education for children, members of the GAC community began to dream of an environmental learning center. GAC partnered with the Atlanta Botanical Garden to bring experts into the design,
including spacious garden beds, a chicken coop, a koi pond, a fish hatchery, a mud kitchen, and a self-sustainable hydroelectric greenhouse.
The commitment of donors such as Donna and Fernando Nasmyth made the dream of this special learning space a reality. In 2014, the Environmental Learning Center opened, and a new class was added to the weekly schedule for students in the Early Childhood Village and Elementary School.
GLOBAL MISSIONS PROGRAM
THE DREAM: To spread the gospel beyond GAC’s campus and cultivate active faith among students
GAC has always been a school that desired to put faith into action. In 1997, GAC students took their first mission trip to the City of Children in Ensenada, Mexico. With a desire to create a lifelong missional mindset for students, this program quickly grew to include many trips and locations across the globe. Though at the time programs like this existed on a collegiate level, it was the first of its kind to be initiated on a K-12 level. Today, faculty and staff continue to roll up their sleeves to serve alongside over 300 students on at least 15 domestic and international 6th-12th grade mission trips each year to places like Ecuador, Greece, Guatemala, Alaska, and Africa.
UNCOMMON DIVERSITY AND UNITY
THE DREAM: For the GAC community to reflect the diversity of Christian Metro Atlanta
From the beginning, Greater Atlanta Christian School was open to all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, which was rare for a private Christian school in the 1960s. This was a dream that had to be done with intentionality. In 2000, GAC hired its first Director of Diversity, and in 2020, GAC re-committed to pursuing the best practices in Diversity and Inclusion. In addition, GAC has always provided various ways for families to afford a private school education, from work programs for students in the early years, to today’s alumni grant program, and financial aid assistance funded through gifts directed to financial aid and participation in the Georgia GOAL Scholarship program. Although we could never claim to have done it perfectly, it has always been a goal to continue growing in this area. These intentional efforts have shaped the GAC community into a beautiful mosaic of families that enrich our students’ lives and reflect the diversity of Christian Metro Atlanta.
YOUNG LEARNERS & IGNITE CENTER
THE DREAM: To provide a place for the whole family
GAC started as a 7th-12th grade school. Contrary to most school models, which strive to make secondary education the flagship program of the school, GAC progressively built lower grades (rather than upper grades) over time. In 1972, sixth grade was added, and GAC continued to add lower grades each year afterward. In 1997, the Early Childhood Village opened, bringing programs for children as young as three years old. In the 2010s, the phrase “for the whole family” became a popular descriptor for GAC, which inspired leaders to ponder, “how can we truly live into that value and serve the whole family?” That ideal was the catalyst for opening Young Learners in 2016 for children ages infant-two years old, allowing GAC families with younger siblings, faculty and staff with infants, and alumni with children to join the GAC family at an earlier age. In 2021, GAC opened the Ignite Center which has further expanded family connection and convenience within the GAC campus by providing a modern coworking space for GAC parents, alumni, and friends of GAC.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Many dreamers laid the groundwork for the experience your children and family are encountering now as part of the GAC community. As the needs of students and families adapt, GAC will continually evolve while staying true to the mission of the school. What will God accomplish through the next generation of dreamers?
