7 minute read
Critical Communication
Trends and Happenings in Georgia Education
What You Need to Know to Stay Up to Date With Atlanta and Georgia Education
Gwinnett Students Design Games for Kids With Autism Students from the Computer Science Club at Gwinnett County’s Mill Creek High School recently created MakingGS, a series of educational video games for young people with autism. The games are designed to help students with autism work together in a safe and welcoming environment.
Woodward Senior Receives Science Honor Woodward Academy senior Samuel Jung was named a top 300 scholar in the 81st annual Regeneron Science Talent Search in January. This 1,900-entrant science and mathematics competition recognizes the country’s most promising high school seniors who are creating scientific solutions to our most pressing challenges. Ansley School Hosts Fundraising Gala The Ansley School hosted its inaugural Our Kids Gala at Clark Atlanta University on March 26. The event, hosted by Cara Kneer of WXIA-TV’s “Atlanta & Company,” was a fundraiser for the private, tuition-free school, which serves children whose families have experienced homelessness.
Atlanta Business Chronicle Lists Top Independent Schools The Atlanta Business Chronicle compiled a list of the city’s 50 largest independent schools in January, based on total enrollment for the 2021-22 school year. Woodward Academy topped the list with an enrollment of 2,525 students. The Westminster Schools, Greater Atlanta Christian, The Lovett School and Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School rounded out the top 5. Student Artwork Showcased at the Dogwood Festival The Atlanta High School Art Exhibition showcased nearly 200 works of art from metro Atlanta high school students in early April. The juried exhibition, part of the annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival, received over 700 entries from 84 schools. “Coral,” a work by Riverwood senior Olivia Pryor, won Best of Show.
DeKalb Teacher Gets $1,000 Grant Kendall Xides, a STEM teacher at Oak Grove Elementary, is the latest recipient of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Conservation Teacher of the Year Grant. The $1,000 grant will go toward restoring the Birdsong Nature Trail.
Mount Paran Unveils Innovation Center Mount Paran Christian School opened its brand-
new Murray Innovation Center in January. The center features more than 23,000 square feet of space designed to encourage learning, testing, collaboration and outside-the-box thinking to help Mount Paran students prepare for careers in the fast-growing field of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics).
Fulton School to Offer “Option B” Diploma McClarin High School in Fulton County is undergoing a $25 million renovation to update classrooms and add lab spaces. It will reopen as a “middle college” offering job training through a technical college as an alternative way for students to earn a high school diploma.
Capstone Featured on Lifetime Channel Capstone Academy, an Atlanta independent school for grades 5-12, was featured in a December episode of Lifetime Channel’s morning show “The Balancing Act.” The school appeared in a local segment spotlighting its untraditional schedule, smaller class sizes and other innovations.
Atlanta Earmarks $5M for Early Education Newly elected Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens recently announced that the city is investing $5 million in early childhood education to help ensure that children begin school on a level playing field. The mayor challenged Atlanta Public Schools and private philanthropists to match the city’s investment.
CIS Atlanta Receives $4 Million Gift Communities in Schools of Atlanta, a nonprofit organization that works to help students overcome learning obstacles, recently received a $4 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. The gift will go toward its efforts to improve graduation rates in 62 metro-area public schools.
Education 101
CHARTER SCHOOL A tax-supported public school that is independently run, allowing for greater educational choice for parents in the community.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING An educational approach using applied, hands-on methods of learning.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) A specifically designed comprehensive academic program emphasizing traditional disciplines while instilling a global perspective in its students.
MAGNET SCHOOL A public school that offers a specific or enhanced curriculum designed for students of special interest or ability.
MONTESSORI A school following the principles developed by Dr. Maria Montessori focusing on the unique individuality, self-reliance and independence of children.
SPECIAL NEEDS A school or program for children who have mild to moderate learning differences. It usually features smaller class sizes, individualized attention and multisensory learning methods. ACCREDITATION Official certification that guarantees a school provides an education of a reasonably high quality. Schools must prove levels of quality and maintain continuous standards of improvement.
ACT An alternative to the SAT, this national college admissions examination consists of subject area tests in English, Mathematics, Reading and Science, with an optional 40-minute writing test.
COLLEGE AND CAREER READY PERFORMANCE INDEX (CCRPI) Georgia’s annual tool for measuring how well its schools, districts, and the state are preparing students for the next educational level.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION Education that applies to children from birth to age 8, focusing specifically on their development, including physical, emotional, sensory, communicative, cognitive and social needs.
GEORGIA MILESTONES Tests designed to measure how well students in grades 3 through 12 acquire the skills and knowledge outlined in the state-adopted content standards.
HOPE SCHOLARSHIP (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) A scholarship in Georgia, funded by the Georgia Lottery, that rewards academically achieving students with financial assistance to attend a degree, diploma, or certificate program at eligible public and private Georgia colleges and universities. EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT (ESSA) A federal law passed in 2015 replacing the No Child Left Behind Act, designed to ensure that all children have a fair and equal opportunity to obtain a quality education and meet state academic proficiency standards.
PSAT A standardized test that offers students practice for the SAT Reasoning Test and allows them to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
SAT This standardized test measures the writing and language, reading and mathematical reasoning skills of students planning to attend college.
SECONDARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS TEST (SSAT) Assesses the verbal, math, and reading abilities of students seeking to enroll in an independent school.
Deciphering Associations and Organizations
Many local and national organizations work to bring out the best in summer camps and public, private and boarding schools by identifying schools that meet certain standards through accreditation. These groups also set policies, research educational advancements and offer services to the educational communities both in Atlanta and in Georgia. The following are just some of the associations and organizations you should know in your search for the best educational experience for your child.
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) boardingschools.com This organization of 250 boarding schools serves the professional development needs of boarding schools and provides information to potential students and their families.
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) ami-global.org Recognizes and provides support, training and development to schools that strongly adhere to Montessori method principles and practices.
Atlanta Area Association of Independent Schools (AAAIS) aaais.org Promotes the highest standards and best administrative practices for accredited independent schools in the metro Atlanta area. Cognia cognia.org Formed from the merger of two organizations (AdvancED and Measured Progress), it advances education excellence through accreditation and school improvement initiatives.
Department of Education (DOE) gadoe.org A statewide, policy-driven organization governing the public school system of education in Georgia for grades K-12.
Georgia Association of Christian Schools (GACS) gacs.org Uses generally accepted indicators of quality, voluntary self-improvement and peer review to measure Christian schools.
Georgia Association of Private Schools for Exceptional Children (GAPSEC) gapsec.org This state organization of independent schools for students with learning disabilities maintains a code of ethics and shares information about programs at member schools.
Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) gisaschools.org An association of Georgia’s private, independent and parochial schools, dedicated
to serving the professional growth, advocacy and interscholastic needs of member schools.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) naeyc.org A professional membership organization working to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research.
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) nais.org A membership association providing research, leadership and governance guidance and professional development opportunities for school and board leaders in U.S. independent schools.
National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC) napsec.org Represents private specialized education programs by promoting quality programs and services for individuals with disabilities and their families. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) sacs.org The recognized regional accrediting body for both public and private schools in the 11 U.S. Southern states.
Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) sais.org Provides accreditation services, professional growth opportunities and leadership development programs for 375 independent U.S. schools.
For more information about these and other organizations and associations that ensure quality education among camps and schools, visit the websites of the Georgia Department of Education (gadoe.org) or the U.S. Department of Education (ed.gov).
