As the parent of five Pace Academy alumni, a member of our administrative team, the Knights’ unofficial sideline photographer, a regular at Lower School lunch and a neighbor, I interact daily with the engaged and energized young people who make up our school community. A village of classmates, faculty, staff, parents and caregivers supports and loves each of these students. And when you know you’re loved, you’re free to THINK BIG.
Our college-placement success and other statistics rank Pace among the nation's finest schools; our athletics and arts programs are secondto-none; and we’re creating innovators in the classroom and around the world. But what truly matters at Pace are the relationships created here—the day-to-day interactions that instill character and change lives.
I invite you to spend time with the Pace family. Make plans to visit our campus and tour our stateof-the-art facilities, engage with our students, observe our teachers, experience the depth of our programs and ask questions. Pace has been the best decision of my life, and I look forward to showing you why.
FRED ASSAF HEAD OF SCHOOL
Those who are part of the Pace community know that there’s something special about this place. You just feel it. But for those considering Pace as a school home, understanding what sets Pace apart is an important piece of the puzzle. So, what’s in our special sauce?
Why Pace?
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Our master teachers love what they do, and they set the bar high while cultivating contagious enthusiasm for advanced scholarship among students of all ages.
PERSONALIZED ATTENTION & MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS
Our low student-teacher ratio leads to deep student-teacher relationships and tailored educational experiences.
INNOVATIVE & FORWARD-THINKING CURRICULUM
We emphasize STEAM, global studies and experiential learning.
GLOBAL EDUCATION
Our Isdell Center for Global Leadership has become a model for experiential education programs across the country; students understand their place in our global society because they explore the city and the world.
INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY & SCHOOL CULTURE
We emphasize diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as character development, mental wellness and community engagement, ensuring that every student feels they belong.
COLLEGE PLACEMENT & ALUMNI SUCCESS
Our graduates go on to the top universities in the U.S. and abroad, and our alumni report that they’re more than prepared for college and beyond.
EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
From arts and athletics to robotics, debate and Model United Nations, Pace students, guided by expert coaches and advisers, engage in a wide range of extracurricular offerings.
10 0
Percent of graduates attend four-year colleges and universities
122 Students in the Class of 2025
50 Classroom and special-subject teachers in the Lower School
15
Average years of teaching experience, 8 years at Pace
13
Average number of students in an Upper School class
2 Teachers per Lower School classroom
1,150
Total enrollment 8:1
Student-teacher ratio across all divisions
98 Percent student retention rate over the past three years; national average among NAIS schools is 90%
By the Numbers
30 0
Lower, Middle and Upper School students travel annually on our Isdell Center for Global Leadership study tours
1
Annual Global Theme: Food in 2024–2025
46
Our alumni reside in 46 states and 19 countries
261
Faculty and staff members; 30% faculty and staff members of color
$5.1M
Need-based financial aid awarded annually across all divisions
36
Percent students of color; 37% in Lower School; 32% in Middle School; 36% in Upper School
77 Zip codes across metro Atlanta represented within our student body
7 Applications per available space school-wide
83 Academic AllAmericans in 2023–2024
10 Number of affinity groups
58
Combined campus acres; 34 on our main campus, 24 at our Riverview Sports Complex
67 Athletics teams
Mission
Our mission is to create prepared, confident citizens of the world who honor the values of Pace Academy.
Motto
To Have the Courage to Strive for Excellence
Core Values
We create success through partnership with parents, students and faculty.
We are dedicated to developing the whole child.
We have respect for each other and our ideas, beliefs and diverse cultural backgrounds.
We think critically, embrace curiosity and develop global mindsets.
Campus Map
MAIN CAMPUS
1. NOONAN UPPER FIELD
2. TENNIS COURTS
3. LOWER FIELD
4. FINE ARTS CENTER
5. ARTHUR M. BLANK FAMILY UPPER SCHOOL
6. NATATORIUM
7. GARCIA FAMILY MIDDLE SCHOOL
8. INMAN CENTER
9. THE CASTLE
10. BOYD MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM
KAM MEMAR LOWER
1. THE CASTLE: In 1931, John Ogden finished constructing his family's home on 20 acres in Buckhead. The newly formed Pace Academy acquired the Ogden property in 1958, and the home, now "the Castle," served as the school’s first classroom building. Today it houses Pace’s administrative offices.
2. KAM MEMAR LOWER SCHOOL: The Kam Memar Lower School opened in 2021 and is a space for courageous learners to experience innovative instruction, creative exploration and the sense of family that defines the Pace experience. Conceived with academic excellence at the center, the Kam Memar Lower School rounds out the school's master campus plan, ensuring that all Pace facilities match the quality of experiences inside.
3. GARCIA FAMILY MIDDLE SCHOOL: Completed in 2004, the Garcia Family Middle School’s 57,000 square feet include 25 classrooms and labs, faculty offices, a computer lab, and studio space for our Middle and Upper School strings students. Each grade enjoys its own floor, atop which sits Knights Hall, an assembly space where Middle School students gather each morning for announcements and a daily, student-led “Inspirational Moment.”
4. ARTHUR M. BLANK FAMILY UPPER SCHOOL: Our Upper School students call the 75,000-square-foot Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School home. The state-of-the-art building opened in 2014 and includes the Woodruff Library, student common areas, state-of-the-art classrooms and labs, our Academic Resource Center, deans’ offices and a college-counseling suite.
5. INMAN CENTER: There’s no better place to watch a high-school basketball game than the Inman Center Gym. Built in 2000, the Inman Center serves as the home of our volleyball and basketball teams, which play on the beloved Bob Chambers Court. The Inman Center also houses Pace Athletics’ offices, the physical education department, a weight room, locker rooms, sports medicine room, wrestling room, gymnastics training room, underground parking deck, indoor jogging track and team film room. The state-of-the art sound system, second-level concourse, and suspended L.E.D. scoreboard create a unique arena-like experience for players and spectators.
6. RIVERVIEW SPORTS COMPLEX: Located just 6 miles from Pace's main campus, Riverview Sports Complex hosts our soccer, lacrosse, baseball, softball, football, and track and field teams. The complex includes Charlie Owens Field, Walsh Field, a softball field, an eight-lane Benyon track, a multipurpose practice field, visitor and home locker rooms, an athletic training facility and a snack bar.
7. FINE ARTS CENTER: Constructed in 1990, our Fine Arts Center boasts a painting and drawing studio; classrooms for ceramics, sculpture, chorus, band and drama; a traditional darkroom; a computer lab for digital photography, graphic design and yearbook; a stagecraft workshop; exhibit and event space; and the 600-seat state-of-the-art Zalik Theater, complete with an orchestra pit and fly system.
Lower School
The newly opened Kam Memar Lower School is a place of joy, purpose and belonging, where every student, teacher and parent is a welcome and important part of our community. Our youngest students enjoy extraordinary resources—people, programs and facilities—as they grow and become prepared, confident citizens of the world.
The faculty is the heart and soul of the Lower School, and our teachers are experts in how young children learn. The center of a student’s experience is the homeroom, where they develop a strong academic foundation and study habits as readers, writers, mathematicians and global thinkers. Teachers—two in every homeroom—design lessons for both whole-group and small-group instruction, meeting students at different levels of accomplishment with the appropriate amount of challenge and support. Morning meetings, closing circles and classroom contracts help students feel a sense of belonging to and responsibility for their classroom communities, and they learn to take increasing ownership of their learning.
Specialist teachers bring particular expertise and passion to their subject areas, allowing students to dive more deeply into STEAM—including Design Thinking, science, technology and art—as well as general music and strings, Spanish, library and physical education. They work collaboratively with the homeroom and associate teachers in the development of the whole child.
Play is a vital part of every child's learning, and we know from experience that students learn better when they have free play during their time at school. Our students enjoy unstructured play time on the World’s Greatest Playground during daily recess, early morning drop-off and after-school Knight Crew.
The Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL), a signature program at Pace, is integrated throughout the Lower School curriculum and develops students’ empathy and curiosity as they engage with some of the most pressing issues of our time. Through asking questions and learning about an annual global theme, students come to understand that they can and do make a difference in the lives of others—in the Pace community and around the world.
Most importantly, Pace students learn how to be good people. In the Lower School, we prioritize character education through the Noble Knights program. Students move on to Middle School as compassionate and thoughtful citizens, prepared for whatever lies ahead.
I look forward to welcoming you to the Pace Lower School!
DOROTHY A. HUTCHESON HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL
LOWER SCHOOL
Inside the Kam Memar Lower School, STEAM and design classes find their homes in stateof-the-art makerspaces, and our Academic Resource Center serves any Lower School student in need of academic support. Music and strings programs enjoy large, soundproof spaces, and an indoor gymnasium with direct access to the playground—the world's greatest!—hosts P.E. classes, community events and rainy-day recess.
Having the courage to strive for excellence in the classroom starts early at Pace Academy. From their first day in the Kam Memar Lower School, students tackle intellectual challenges with curiosity and joy. Our accelerated learning environment encourages students to stretch themselves to think, question and take risks— understanding that true learning happens when children are motivated, happy and held to high standards.
Lower School Curriculum
Guided by our expert faculty, Lower School students engage in the following subjects:
GLOBAL STUDIES
Our approach to global studies is rooted in our mission: To create prepared, confident citizens of the world. Students explore the themes of culture, geography, civics, history and economics through an understanding of our community, state, nation and world. When addressing current events, students engage in activities that teach them how to investigate the world, consider a variety of perspectives, communicate ideas and take meaningful action. As a result of this approach, students discover links to the past, better understand the present and develop global competence.
LITERACY
Pace’s Lower School literacy program develops passionate, lifelong readers, writers and communicators who think critically about the world around them. Our approach to literacy instruction incorporates foundational and high-level thinking skills to ensure that Pace readers and writers learn to apply their knowledge of spelling, phonics, grammar and vocabulary independently and with others. With two teachers in each homeroom, faculty differentiate instruction for small groups and individual students.
Daily literacy instruction includes reading, writing and classroom discussions where students apply their comprehension skills, share their thoughts and opinions, and actively listen to others. In each grade level, students read a rich variety of fiction and non-fiction books, both independently and with their peers. Favorite award-winning novels include E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web and a contemporary classic, Pam Muñoz White’s Esperanza Rising Students become proficient and confident writers through the process of prewriting, writing, revising and presenting a final piece. Teachers conference with students individually, providing regular feedback and time for editing. Students also learn how to reflect on their own work and the work of their peers.
LIBRARY
The Soni Family Library includes quiet nooks for reading, designated spaces for small-group work, a video conferencing area and open shelving. In collaboration with teachers, our librarians read to each class, teach information literacy skills, assist students with book selection and guide students as they search for information.
MATHEMATICS
Through the Lower School math program, our youngest learners become confident and skilled mathematicians. Using the Singapore approach in the Math in Focus curriculum, students solve problems at increasingly advanced levels, demonstrating accuracy, computational fluency and flexible reasoning skills.
In daily math lessons, students learn math concepts in whole-group settings and then practice applying those concepts to solve problems in small groups, with partners and individually. Teachers provide instruction for students at different levels of accomplishment; in other words, they “teach at the speed of learning.” Our students master complex concepts and skills, and demonstrate their knowledge in deep and novel ways.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The physical education program builds and develops cardiovascular strength, muscle, agility, and athletic fundamentals through a wide variety of activities and sports. These enjoyable and energetic games and lessons—from kicking skills and swimming to basketball and volleyball—are hosted in our gymnasiums, natatorium, indoor track, gymnastics facility and outdoor fields. The Lower School physical education program establishes habits that promote lifelong health and wellness.
SCIENCE
With intellectual curiosity and collaboration at its core, our science program challenges students to question, explore and analyze the world around them. Our goal is to continually build a foundation in science, and to incorporate global issues into students' learning in the hopes that they then revise and refine their knowledge and abilities through experimentation and problem-solving. The curriculum engages students by blending hypothesizing exercises and experimentation with discussion and critical thinking.
WORLD LANGUAGE
Our proficiency-based Spanish program enables students to master all aspects of world language, from listening and speaking to reading and writing. By providing more than just exposure to a second language, our world language teachers inspire students to engage and understand the cultures and traditions of the Spanishspeaking world. Through this exploration of language, students are able to communicate meaningfully and effectively in a globalized world.
STEAM
STEAM is an interdisciplinary approach applied throughout our Lower School that highlights the disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math while developing students’ abilities to create, think critically, embrace curiosity and explore global problems. All of this is done using the Design Thinking framework, which allows students to gain awareness and understanding of global issues—often related to the Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) annual global theme. As students grapple with these real-world problems with a human-centered, hands-on and team-based approach, they learn how to become empathic, effective and engaged citizens. Design Thinking is also emphasized in other classrooms throughout the school.
We employ the following terms when conversing about Design Thinking:
• Empathize
• Define
• Ideate
• Prototype
• Reflect
LOWER SCHOOL
TECHNOLOGY
The Lower School technology program ensures that students become competent, confident and safe technology users. Our young learners receive specialized instruction in accordance with the International Society for Technology in Education standards, which help students become empowered learners, digital citizens, knowledge constructors, innovative designers, computational thinkers, creative communicators and global collaborators.
While striving toward these standards, students work on keyboarding, design in 3D software, program robots, research and learn about different types of creative presentations. In addition to lab instruction, students benefit from the thoughtful and strategic use of iPads in the classroom.
Pre-First Sample Schedule
Lower School Life
CHARACTER
Above all, we want to develop good people, and we know that when it comes to character, paying attention to the little things makes a big impact.
As a way of living out our mission, ”To create prepared, confident citizens of the world who honor the values of Pace Academy,” the Lower School weaves character education into all aspects of the curriculum.
Through our Noble Knights’ Pillars of Character program, students learn and practice the character skills of EMPATHY, CURIOSITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP and PERSEVERANCE. These skills are implemented as teachers establish class norms and guidelines. Through monthly lessons, class conversations, books, individual recognition, opportunities for school-wide community engagement, leadership and challenge, Pace students become Noble Knights.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
In the Lower School, education around community engagement happens in the classroom and in our city, as each grade focuses on a specific theme, such as healthcare or education. The program brings age-appropriate speakers to campus, coordinates weekend service opportunities, facilitates curricular implementation, establishes community partnerships and manages volunteers.
TRADITIONS
BUDDIES: First- and fifth-grade buddies share special relationships, which include time together in the classroom and events throughout the year.
COMMUNITY TIME: Our entire Lower School community gathers regularly to learn and celebrate together.
HANDSHAKES, HIGH FIVES AND HUGS: A daily greeting with the Head of Lower School is the Pace way to start the day!
LIGHT ONE CANDLE : Every child in the Lower School participates in the most celebrated of traditions, the annual holiday program, which tells the stories of Christmas and Hanukkah.
PILLARS OF CHARACTER: Students who exhibit specific character skills, the pillars of the Lower School, wear a badge so that they are recognized and celebrated throughout the day.
PRE-FIRST FUN MONEY FRIDAYS: Students earn coins in class and spend their earnings on an item in the treasure chest, or save for a big-ticket item, like lunch with Head of School Fred Assaf.
After-School Programs
Activity on our campus continues long after the school day ends. In KNIGHT CREW, our after-school program, we focus on letting kids be kids in a safe, supervised and fun environment, while developing character and emphasizing inclusion. Students join Knight Crew when their regular school day ends (2:15 p.m. for Pre-First; 3 p.m. for first through fifth grades) and may be picked up any time before 6 p.m. Throughout the afternoon, Knight Crew participants enjoy snacks, supervised play and homework time. Students may enroll in Knight Crew for the entire year or drop in on an as-needed basis.
We also partner with Pace faculty, community organizations and professionals to offer a variety of AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS. Semester-long after-school enrichment programs typically meet once per week. From intramurals, acting and creative arts to math and technology, we have some thing for every age and interest.
Academic Resource Center (ARC)
In partnership with parents and teachers, the Lower School ARC director and learning specialists monitor students' academic needs and provide targeted intervention using research-based materials and teaching practices. Students receive support in foundational reading skills, comprehension, written and verbal expression, executive functioning, and math fluency and problem-solving skills. With support, students develop confidence and learn strategies that allow them to be successful at every grade level.
Middle School
At Pace Academy, our teachers and students cherish the special years between the Lower and Upper Schools because, in the Garcia Family Middle School, we provide an environment that meets students where they are and encourages and celebrates their development into young adults—into citizens of the world.
We encourage Middle School students to explore their interests and to embrace relentless curiosity, fostering passion for learning both in and outside of the classroom. Our teachers, experts in their fields and in understanding this unique age group, create innovative classroom experiences that match their students’ energy. Our rigorous curriculum empowers students to welcome challenges, approach setbacks without fear of failure and exceed their own expectations.
Middle School is also a time for exploration. With vibrant and diverse programs in STEAM and design, visual arts, music, drama, debate, athletics and global leadership, students try new things every day and learn to love learning. Program directors collaborate to provide opportunities and coordinate activities that allow each student to discover and develop their unique talents, academic and otherwise.
We believe that our Middle School community provides the optimal structure for motivated learners; we balance myriad opportunities for involvement and independence with individualized attention in a nurturing environment. This thoughtful balance allows for increased participation, stronger student-teacher relationships, additional leadership experiences and a greater sense of belonging. Every student is known, loved and carefully guided on their path to the Upper School—and beyond.
We stand ready and excited to ensure that they love the journey.
GRAHAM ANTHONY HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Middle School Academics
Our curriculum strikes a perfect balance, challenging students academically while inspiring them to achieve beyond their usual limits. Guided by expert faculty, students engage in advanced core subjects, interdisciplinary projects and experiential learning, encouraging critical thinking and real-world application. We emphasize essential life skills like time management and collaboration, ensuring a balanced and well-rounded education that prepares students for future success.
Middle School Course Offerings
SCHOOL
that
A Day in the Life of a Middle Schooler
Given the adventure inherent in learning, no two days are the same in our Middle School—and that’s just the way we like it. Our rotating schedule ensures a balance of academic endeavors, arts, athletics, character development and exploration. And because students leave their personal internet-enabled devices at home, they can remain focused on the tasks at hand: learning and being kids.
During the school day, Middle Schoolers have the opportunity to explore this year's Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) theme of Food. Teachers incorporate projects into their classrooms based on this theme, and students go on field trips, engage in community service projects, and can choose to travel on international or domestic study tours centered around the theme.
Our Middle School students also participate in clubs during the school day. Those traveling on an ICGL study tour join travel clubs; those not venturing around the world delve into clubs based on their interests.
TRADITIONS
• Class Retreats
• Daily Recess
• Lunch Bunch
• Community Engagement Days
• First Fridays
• Hero Day
• Parents Club Fall Fair
• Sixth-Grade Fathers & Special Friends Dance
• Canstruction
• Field Trips
• Grandparents & Special Friends Day
• PJ & Cocoa Day
• Middle School Spirit Night
• Cabaret
• Team Challenge
• Medieval Banquet
Middle School Special Programs
STEAM
Students who choose the STEAM elective explore robotics and programming, engineering and making, digital expression, design and innovation, and cuttingedge technology and careers. Students in STEAM spend one semester with the FIRST LEGO League robotics curriculum to practice programming, engineering and design innovation. They have the opportunity, but are not required, to form a team to compete at the state and, potentially, national levels. The second semester of STEAM involves various engineering projects such as mousetrap cars and prosthetic design, digital expression such as graphic design and 3D modeling, and a personal curiosity project. Examples of past curiosity projects have included re-designing sports helmets or modeling a Tesla Valve. The STEAM path is popular with students who enjoy building things, working with CNC machines, experimenting with ideas, working in groups and engaging in self-directed learning.
TECHNOLOGY STUDIO
All Middle School students take Technology Studio as a Discovery class. The course uses technology as a lens for developing STEAM competencies—skills and mindsets that require cross-disciplinary, open-ended, issue-based and student-directed learning. Students learn about sensors and circuits, programming, digital expression platforms, 3D modeling, machine learning, and augmented and virtual reality. They also practice research, ideation, prototyping, collaboration and presentation skills. Digital citizenship undergirds all discussions, supported by programming from The Social Institute, ensuring that students understand how to use technology in ethically responsible ways.
NEWSPAPER
The staff of the Middle School newspaper, The MidKnight Times, meets after school and during lunch/recess with their faculty sponsors to write stories, design page layouts, take photos and learn about the exciting world of producing a news publication.
TOME STUDENT LITERACY
SOCIETY, PACE CHAPTER
Students feed their need to read by joining the club that's all about reading young adult classics. Tome Student Literary Society activities promote self-esteem, leadership skills, character and ethics, and nurture critical thinking, creativity and imagination.
DEBATE
Middle School Debate focuses on policy debate, a fast-paced game of smarts and strategy in which wins and losses are based on how well students understand and explain their own claims and how thoroughly they analyze and defeat opponents’ arguments. A significant portion of classroom time is spent exploring details about government, politics and international relations, in addition to the time spent developing students’ speaking and critical-thinking skills.
MODEL UN
Our thriving Middle School Model United Nations (MUN) program welcomes seventh and eighth graders to participate in local workshops as well as local and national MUN events. Along with faculty sponsors, Upper School MUN student leaders act as mentors for Middle School delegates as they learn about global topics, investigate countries around the world, practice public speaking, write position papers and propose action items to form the basis of a UN resolution—the skills student diplomats use during MUN simulations.
MATHCOUNTS
Students who love math and the challenge of competition join this team, which meets weekly in preparation for the February competition. Mathcounts makes learning math fun. The program builds problem-solving skills and positive attitudes about math, so students embrace challenges and expand their future academic and career opportunities.
CLUBS WE HAVE OFFERED INCLUDE:
• Arts & Crafts
• Blueprint
• Board Games
• Cartooning
• Chess
• Film
• Hoops
• Knitting
• Lego
• Music & Songwriting
• Newspaper
• Pep Club
• Rock Climbing
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Yoga
• ICGL Study Tours
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Resources for Middle School Students
ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTER (ARC)
From binder organization and note-taking tips to peer tutoring, test prep and study strategies courses, our teachers and learning specialists create customized plans for success. Students visit the ARC of their own accord or through faculty referral, and may drop in before school, during recess, at specified times throughout the day or after school. The Backpack Club, facilitated by our learning specialists every afternoon, is a designated afterschool extra-help opportunity that ensures that students have what they need for homework, projects and developing executive-functioning skills.
ADVISORY SYSTEM
A mentor is crucial for every student's success, and our advisory program ensures that each Middle School student has an exceptional one. In advisory groups of just seven students, faculty advisers provide personalized attention during Thursday-morning sessions, offering essential academic, social and emotional support to guide students through the challenges and triumphs of Middle School.
DEAN SYSTEM
Two dedicated deans support each grade level in our Middle School and play critical roles in students' success. These key administrators act as liaisons between faculty and parents, ensuring that every student's academic, emotional and social well-being is closely monitored and supported. Teachers meet with the deans once a month to discuss each student individually and develop tailored success plans, ensuring that every child receives the personalized attention and guidance they need to thrive.
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM
Late Knight Crew is the Middle School study hall available during the academic year. Many students attend Late Knight Crew after participating in an extracurricular activity or sport.
There is no registration or fee for this service. Students can start checking into Late Knight Crew at 3:45 p.m. and must be checked in by 4 p.m. if they are on campus and not participating in another activity. Late Knight Crew ends at 6 p.m.
Upper School
The Pace Academy Upper School is a place of connections. In the past 65+ years, we've grown in size and stature, but one element remains fixed—the relationships between our talented, nurturing faculty and our students.
With approximately 125 students in a grade and class sizes that average 13, the Pace Upper School is a place where students know their teachers as professionals and as people. Developing this connection is the core of what we do.
Students are challenged and grow in a supportive setting. Our faculty inculcates in students both the joy of learning and the worthiness of intellectual excellence. Pace graduates often return to campus describing how well prepared they were for their college academic careers, but mostly they come back to visit with their former teachers and spend time with the people they consider mentors and friends.
Pace is a place that presents numerous opportunities for each student. More than 85% of our students participate in athletics; we stage three outstanding theater productions annually; our chorus, vocal ensembles, band and orchestra are second-to-none; and through the Isdell Center for Global Leadership, students pursue their passions with the help of our supremely talented faculty and our global and community partners.
Our students are involved in the life of their school and in the world around them. They want to succeed—but they want to do so while making a difference. We think that’s the measure of a true education.
MICHAEL GANNON HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL
UPPER SCHOOL
Students in the Upper School
118
Students in the class of 2024 matriculated to 65 colleges and universities in 29 states, the District of Columbia and Canada
100
Percent of students enrolled in AP courses in 2024 took the AP Exam; 82% scored 3 or higher
37
Debate state championships
25
AP classes and 20 honors classes offered
8
Post-AP courses
13
Students in an average Upper School class
2
Courses focused on academic and social well-being designed exclusively for ninth graders
23,000
Print volumes, 900,000 e-books, 158,000 streaming video titles, and 70+ online databases and reference sources in the Woodruff Library
Upper School Academics
The typical Upper School academic schedule includes six courses: one in each of the five major disciplines, as well as an elective in the arts, robotics, debate, computer science or newspaper, among others. Students sharpen their study habits, practice time management and advocate for their academic success with the aid of an eight-day rotating schedule, extended class blocks and daily free periods, which enable them to meet one-on-one with their teachers. A particular focus on critical thinking and analytical writing prepares students for the rigors of undergraduate work, and our students matriculate to and thrive at some of the nation’s best institutions.
Upper School Course Offerings (typical course progression)
NINTH GRADE
ENGLISH World Literature Honors World Literature
British Literature & Postcolonialism
Honors British Literature & Postcolonialism
MATHEMATICS Geometry Geometry Honors
Algebra II Algebra II Honors
Literature of the Americas Honors Literature of the Americas
AP English Literature & Composition
Pre-Calculus
Pre-Calculus Honors
Analysis Honors
Contemporary Literature & Media
Honors Contemporary Literature & Media
Creative Writing I, II
Comparative Women’s
Literature Honors
AP English Language & Composition
Adv. Topics in Math*
Calculus Honors
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
Adv. Math: Differential Equations*
Discrete Math
Finance
Adv. Math: Linear Algebra & Applications*
Adv. Math: Multivariate Calculus*
Statistics & Probability
AP Statistics
SCIENCE Conceptual Physics
Mathematical Physics Honors
HISTORY Ancient World Civilizations
Ancient World Civilizations Honors
Computational Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry Honors
WORLD LANGUAGES
OTHER NOTABLE COURSES
Europe & the World
Anatomy & Physiology I, II
AP Chemistry
AP Environmental Science
AP Physics 1
AP Physics C: Mechanics
AP Psychology
Adv. Science Research*
Business Ethics
Contemporary Political Issues
Economics
AP Art History
AP Comparative Government & Politics
AP African American Studies
AP Microeconomics
AP Macroeconomics
AP World History
French V
Adv. French V World Literature
Adv. Latin Poetry*
Spanish V
Adv. Spanish V Literature
Robotics
Advanced Studio Art
AP Computer Science A
AP Computer Science Principles
Applied Psychology & Leadership
AP Music Theory
Architecture I & II
Adv. CS: Data Structures & Algorithms*
Advanced Application Development**
Upper School Schedule
Course Requirements for Graduation
Upper School Special Programs
DEBATE
Pace’s debate program is widely recognized as one of the strongest in the nation. From the beginning to the advanced levels, Pace students engage in multiple speech and debate formats, including Policy debate, Lincoln Douglas debate, Public Forum debate, Impromptu Speaking, Dramatic and Humorous Interpretation, Extemporaneous Speaking and Argumentation Theory. While competing in national tournaments, our most advanced debaters organize and write position papers and present oral arguments on elements related to the year's Policy, Lincoln Douglas or Public Forum topics.
ROBOTICS
At the introductory level, Pace robotics students tackle the basics of the LEGO EV3 platform, which teaches science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Students also learn how to employ feedback from sensors, applied mathematics and measurement to program their robots, and they compete in challenges involving guided research, problem-solving, working in teams and design documentation.
In our Advanced Robotics course, students use robots to understand the fundamentals of problem-solving, program design, algorithms and programming using a high-level language. The course focuses on the fundamental understanding of robot systems and the development of workplace competencies, as well as solving engineering design problems. Students go on to represent Pace at the FIRST Tech Challenge robotics competition.
COMPUTER SCIENCE
Our Upper School computer science program introduces students to computational problem-solving while encouraging fun and creative collaboration. At the introductory level, students learn programming basics using Python, a beginner-friendly language, as they add tools to their computer science toolboxes. Core concepts include variables, conditionals, iteration and functions. Students also learn to use HTML and CSS to create personal websites incorporating good design principles.
Students may subsequently enroll in AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, Data Structures & Algorithms and Advanced Topics in Computer Science, a post-AP course that exposes students to topics they would encounter in an upper-level university computer science course. Topics include version control, software engineering principles, databases, user interface design principles and other areas of interest to students.
Upper School Student Support
Academic Resource Center (ARC)
Our Upper School Academic Resource Center (ARC) provides academic support to students, and education and assistance to faculty, parents and caregivers. Pace prioritizes academic excellence, the development of the whole child, and integrity and respect, and the ARC utilizes the many resources available within the Upper School community to enable student success in these arenas.
SERVICES OFFERED IN THE UPPER SCHOOL ARC INCLUDE:
• Skills instruction and strategies for note-taking, test-taking, reading, mastery of world languages and time management
• One-on-one and small-group tutoring with content specialists
• Peer tutoring
• Writing workshops
• After-school support
• Math Lab
Dean System
Class deans are critical to our Upper School students' success. One faculty dean supports each grade in our Upper School from the time students enter as freshmen through graduation, serving as a liaison between faculty and parents, and monitoring the academic, emotional and social well-being of the students in their care.
At Pace Academy, athletics are an extension of our academic program. While we place great value on winning and competing at a high level, we believe that the process and life lessons learned from team sports are of primary importance.
Through sports, our student-athletes develop leadership skills, empathy, sportsmanship and resilience—character traits that will serve our graduates well beyond their years in a Pace uniform. We encourage our student-athletes to take risks, and we strive to provide them with the tools to be confident in all situations.
Each year, 85% of our Upper and Middle School students play at least one sport, choosing from 67 competitive teams. Pace competes in the Georgia High School Athletic Association (GHSA) Class AAAA.
Physical education in the Lower School develops basic movement skills and athletic fundamentals while encouraging fun. Our curriculum uses a wide variety of skill-based activities to build cardiovascular endurance, muscle development, agility and speed. We also offer an after-school intramural program to fourth- and fifth-grade students.
At all levels, Pace student-athletes...
• Develop and appreciate the value of hard work, determination and self-discipline
• Learn the importance and benefit of being part of a team
• Learn to compete with good sportsmanship, grace and humility
• Attain the highest level of their athletic ability
• Represent Pace Academy's highest standards
• Learn acceptance for and tolerance of varied contributions and abilities of teammates and opponents
We encourage your family to join us on campus this year to experience all that our athletics program has to offer. Go, Knights!
CHAD WABREK DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
Athletics
By the Numbers
100
Percent of team sports offered in the Middle School are open to sixthgrade students
95 Percent of Middle School students play at least one team sport
58 Percent of Middle School students play two or more team sports
Middle School Athletics
Fall
• CROSS-COUNTRY (boys and girls)
• SOFTBALL (girls)
• FOOTBALL (boys)
• TENNIS (boys and girls)
• VOLLEYBALL (girls)
Winter
• BASKETBALL (boys and girls)
• SWIMMING/DIVING (boys and girls)
• WRESTLING (boys)
Spring
• BASEBALL (boys)
• GYMNASTICS (girls)
• LACROSSE (boys and girls)
• SOCCER (boys and girls)
• TRACK & FIELD (boys and girls)
Club
• WATER POLO (boys)
• MOUNTAIN BIKING (grades 6–12; limited to 12 total team members, and Upper School students are given priority)
17 College athletes in the Class of 2024, representing seven sports
• Amherst College: Lacrosse
• Auburn University: Football
• Austin Peay State University: Football
• Bates College: Basketball
• Baylor University: Equestrian
• Berry College: Football, Basketball
• Birmingham-Southern College: Football
• Boston University: Soccer
• Bowdoin College: Softball
• Brown University: Volleyball, Football, Gymnastics
• Bucknell University: Softball, Wrestling
• Clemson University: Football
• Cleveland State University: Basketball
• College of Coastal Georgia: Golf
• College of Wooster: Baseball, Volleyball
• Colorado College: Cross-Country, Track & Field
• Columbia University: Cross-Country, Track & Field
• Dartmouth College: Lacrosse, Swimming
• Davidson College: Swimming, Golf
• Denison University: Softball, Basketball, Golf
• Dickinson College: Lacrosse
• Duke University: Basketball, Volleyball, Cross-Country, Track & Field
• Eastern Illinois University: Football
• Elon University: Soccer
• Emory University: Basketball, Baseball
• Florida State University: Basketball
• Fordham University: Football
• Furman University: Football
• Georgetown University: Baseball, Swimming
• Georgia Tech: Baseball, Football, Cheerleading
• Grinnell College: Soccer
• Hampden-Sydney College: Soccer
• Harvard University: Football
• Haverford College: Basketball
• Hendrix College: Golf
• Howard University: Football
• Indiana University: Cheerleading
• Johns Hopkins University: Swimming
• Lehigh University: Football
• Luther College: Football
• Macalester College: Baseball
• Marshall University: Volleyball
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Baseball, Soccer, Football
• Mercer University: Football, Lacrosse
• Miami University of Ohio: Diving, Football
• Middlebury College: Track & Field, Softball
• Muhlenburg College: Lacrosse
• North Carolina A&T: Football
• Oberlin College: Football, Baseball
• Oglethorpe University: Basketball
• Pepperdine University: Track & Field
• Piedmont University: Baseball
Classes of 2014–2024 College Athletes
• Pitzer College: Softball
• Pomona College: Soccer
• Prairie View A&M University: Basketball
• Princeton University: Track & Field
• Rhodes College: Baseball, Football
• Rollins College: Swimming
• Sarah Lawrence College: Volleyball
• Sewanee: The University of the South: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Lacrosse, Swimming
• Southern Methodist University: Swimming
• Southern Mississippi State University: Football
• Stanford University: Football
• Texas A&M University: Baseball
• Texas Christian University: Diving
• The Citadel—The Military College of South Carolina: Basketball
• Trinity College: Lacrosse, Track & Field
• Tufts University: Basketball
• Tulane University: Basketball
• Tusculum College: Baseball
• Tuskegee University: Basketball
• United States Naval Academy: Football
• University of Alabama-Birmingham: Baseball
• University of California, Berkeley: Volleyball
• University of Chicago: Basketball
• University of Cincinnati: Basketball
• University of Georgia: Cross-Country, Football, Soccer
• University of Memphis: Volleyball
• University of Miami: Cross-Country, Track & Field, Football, Basketball
• University of Mississippi: Volleyball
• University of New Hampshire: Football
• University of New Haven: Volleyball
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Golf, Swimming, Track & Field
• University of Notre Dame: Football, Lacrosse
• University of Pennsylvania: Baseball, Football, Cross-Country, Track & Field, Basketball, Swimming, Volleyball
• University of Richmond: Football
• University of South Carolina: Football
• University of Southern California: Soccer
• University of Tennessee: Football, Swimming
• University of Virginia: Football, Wrestling, Diving
• University of West Georgia: Baseball
• Vanderbilt University: Baseball
• Wake Forest University: Cheerleading, Volleyball
• Washington & Lee University: Cross-Country & Track, Baseball
• Washington University in St. Louis: Football, Soccer
• Wesleyan University: Swimming
• Williams College: Lacrosse
• Yale University: Basketball
There’s just something about escaping into a character, really feeling the music or translating the image in your head onto canvas. In all of its forms, art introduces new perspectives, presents exciting challenges and encourages students to THINK BIG.
At Pace, we provide the highest level of artistic experience and knowledge, and we embed study of the visual and performing arts in our curriculum at every level. It begins with introductions to art and music in the Lower School, where students participate in class plays, our annual holiday program and, in later grades, join our band, chorus or strings ensembles.
Our offerings expand in the Middle School as young artists explore new mediums through visual art courses, participate in drama, play in the band or orchestra or sing in the chorus. Extracurricular activities offer additional outlets for students to discover their artistic passions and hone their talents.
Upper School students further specialize in the visual arts with courses in photography, ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, digital illustration and architecture. Or, they pursue band, chorus, strings, acting, theater design and stagecraft in the performing arts. Advanced Placement classes in art history and music theory provide additional opportunities to develop expertise—knowledge and experiences we encourage students to leverage in the college-application process.
Our teachers are committed to delivering positive personal feedback as part of the learning process. They encourage students to explore and experiment in the arts, and to find and pursue their passions. We emphasize process and tradition while remaining current with pedagogy within each discipline. Over time, expanding performance and visual arts opportunities provide outlets to share talents both within and outside the Pace community.
We’re proud of our artistic traditions, and we’re sure that every student will find a place in the arts!
SEAN BRYAN DIRECTOR OF
FINE
ARTS
Arts
In the Lower School, all the world's a stage—and that stage expands as students progress from grade to grade. Our dynamic visual art program emphasizes creative thinking and fun; class plays offer opportunities for students' talents to shine; and music instruction sets the foundation for further exploration.
Lower School Arts
MUSIC
The Lower School music program ascribes to a number of teaching methodologies to ensure students benefit from best practices in music education. The Orff Schulwerk approach emphasizes students’ total involvement and incorporates speech, singing, movement, improvisation, and the use of a variety of percussion and Orff instruments. The Kodaly method focuses on tuneful singing, listening, analyzing, music reading and writing, and composing. And the Phyllis Weikart and Dalcroze methods promote understanding of musical concepts such as rhythmic movement, aural training, and physical and instrumental improvisation.
In addition, Pace offers string orchestra to students from third through 12th grade. Students perform classical, jazz, rock and pop music at multiple concerts each year and are featured at assemblies and Pace events. The competitive program prepares students to audition for All-State Orchestra and youth orchestras, including the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra (ASYO).
THEATER
In the Lower School, plays and musicals are highlights of the year. Students learn the value of collaboration, preparation and public speaking as they perform for family and friends. Every Lower School production digs deep into a particular area of study—from poetry and climate to U.S. history.
VISUAL ARTS
Students experience art through a variety of hands-on projects that enhance techniques, explore cultures and encourage creativity. In addition to acquiring skills and concepts, students have the opportunity to experiment with a range of materials, from spray paint and clay to textiles and pastels. The program establishes practical skills and conceptual knowledge in order to provide avenues for self-expression.
In Middle School, “Try everything” is our mantra. We encourage students to become involved in a wide range of curricular and extracurricular activities, and we allow them increasing autonomy when it comes to course selection, particularly in the arts. A wide array of visual and performing arts opportunities expose students to new methods of thinking, learning and expressing themselves. From the easel to the stage, there’s something for everyone.
By the Numbers 94
Percent participation in the arts
3 Theater productions
3
Musical ensembles: band, chorus, strings
Middle School Arts
MUSIC
If Middle School students decide to pursue the performing arts, yearlong electives such as band, chorus and strings offer opportunities to build fundamental skills, learn to read music, and perform for family and friends. Our programs introduce young musicians to a wide range of literature—from classical and jazz to Broadway and pop. Our ensembles perform throughout the year and frequently tour within the Southeast.
THEATER
There's no shortage of drama in our Middle School theater program. Students in the sixth and seventh grades take drama classes as part of the Discovery curriculum and explore the basic physical components of theater, public speaking and character development through pantomime, music and improvisation. Individual and group performances bring lessons to life. Beyond the regular school day, students may audition for roles in the Middle School play and musical, and all performers are invited to take part in the annual spring Improv Throwdown. Those who prefer to lead behind the scenes run lights and sound, serve on the backstage crew or try their hands as makeup artists. Regardless of the roles they play, Pace students discover the joys and challenges of live performance.
VISUAL ARTS
All sixth and seventh graders take a nine-week visual arts course as part of their Discovery rotation. Seventh- and eighth-grade students who elect to participate in Studio Art, a more advanced and in-depth visual arts curriculum, explore their artistic styles through experimentation. Students use observation and photo references to create two- and three-dimensional compositions from a variety of mediums, and our arts faculty members incorporate art history, various forms of critique, and traditional and modern art-making techniques.
Our teachers encourage students to explore and experiment in the arts and to find and pursue their passions. We emphasize process and tradition while remaining current with pedagogy within each discipline. Over time, expanding performance and visual arts opportunities provide outlets to share talents both within and outside the Pace community, while Advanced Placement classes in art history and music theory provide additional opportunities to develop expertise.
By the Numbers
70 Percent of Upper School students participate in the arts
4 Choral groups
3 Instrumental ensembles
3 Annual Upper School theater productions
Upper School Arts
MUSIC
Students who love to sing may participate in our chorus and audition for one or more of the Upper School’s three vocal ensembles. Our band and strings programs have grown tremendously in recent years. Strings students explore and perform music of many styles and genres at concerts and on tour. Members of the Pace band tour every other year, and our pep band frequently revs up the crowd at pep rallies and Pace sporting events. Every year, the chorus and band collaborate to present A Knight of Jazz, an exciting evening showcasing our talented musicians.
THEATER
In the fall, students compete in the Georgia High School Association’s One-Act Play competition. Then, during our annual Winter Showcase, audiences participate in a “theater hike” around campus to take in a series of scenes from well-known plays, as well as student-written and directed works. In the spring, we stage a full-scale musical, an all-hands-on-deck production that has students on stage, performing in the orchestra pit, and running lights and sound.
VISUAL ARTS
Upper School students may choose from a variety of specialized studio classes that promote the development of aesthetic and perceptual skills. These courses include Advanced Art Studio, AP Art History, Ceramics, Design Concepts, Digital Illustration, Drawing, Painting, Photography, Stagecraft and many more. The work of Pace artists is exhibited on campus and is often seen at exhibits of photography, ceramics and sculpture around the city. Dedicated junior and senior artists may pursue independent studies in a specific medium with a faculty member of their choosing.
By the Numbers
1,907
Students have traveled on ICGL study tours over the past decade
55 Countries (and Antarctica!) have been visited via the ICGL since 2014
350
Lower, Middle and Upper School students traveled on ICGL study tours during the 2023–2024 year
167 Middle Schoolers participated in the annual ICGL Minimester program this past year
8,509 Community engagement hours logged by the Class of 2024
The term global education sure sounds good when used in conjunction with Pace Academy’s mission: To create prepared, confident citizens of the world. But how does a school actually provide a global education?
We do it through our Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL), a results-oriented program that cultivates leadership capabilities among students and faculty in our Lower, Middle and Upper Schools.
By exploring an annual global theme—such as Technology, Water, Food, Climate, Conservation, Energy and Education and examining it from all angles and at all ages, we build critical-thinking skills that students then apply to other issues. Thinking on this level challenges perceptions, requires curiosity, and develops global mindsets and cultural appreciation.
Pace students have opportunities to connect with other students and experts across the globe through curricular, co-curricular and hands-on activities; community and global partnerships; local field trips; a speaker series; leadership fellowships and internships; community engagement projects at home and abroad; and approximately 20 annual domestic and international study tours.
Our hope is that our graduates leave Pace as ethical, empathetic, innovative, culturally aware and adaptable individuals.
TRISH ANDERSON DIRECTOR OF THE ISDELL CENTER FOR GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
Isdell Center for Global Leadership & Community Engagement
Our Isdell Center for Global Leadership is a results-oriented program that builds effective global leadership capabilities among students and faculty.
LEADERSHIP ABILITY
CULTURAL APPRECIATION
ENGAGED CITIZENSHIP
GLOBAL MINDSET
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
TRISH ANDERSON DIRECTOR OF THE ISDELL CENTER FOR GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
Isdell Center for Global Leadership
At the heart of the Pace Academy mission is a commitment to create prepared, confident citizens of the world. The Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) spearheads this educational endeavor by providing students from Pre-First through 12th grade with wide-ranging curricular and co-curricular opportunities to explore, understand and engage in our globalized world.
In addition to approximately 20 annual global study tours available to students in all three divisions, every student explores an annual global theme through multiple disciplinary lenses: Science & Technology, Arts & Culture, Service & Sustainability, Business & Social Entrepreneurship and Public Policy & International Relations. This theme-based approach gives students the opportunity to tackle real-world issues while developing global-mindedness, cultural competence, international expertise and leadership skills—all essential components of global citizenship. Our students graduate with the ability to address national and international issues critically, as well as with a sense of visionary purpose to make a positive difference in our interdependent world.
Over the past decade, study tours have traveled throughout the United States, to 55 countries and to Antarctica. The Pace Parents Club’s Citizens of the World Travel Grant covers the cost of airfare once for every student in the Middle School, and once for every student in the Upper School. In a typical year, approximately 300 students travel on ICGL study tours.
TATUM BRANAMAN
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE ISDELL CENTER FOR GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
REBECCA RHODES
DIRECTOR OF LOWER SCHOOL
GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
UPPER SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL
LOWER SCHOOL
Oh, The Places We've Gone!
ICGL Study Tours
2019 – 2020*
UPPER SCHOOL
• Galápagos Islands
• Germany
• Ghana & Botswana
• Portugal
• South Africa & Lesotho
MIDDLE SCHOOL
• Australia (two trips)
• Belize
• Colombia
• Kenya
2020 – 2021
• No study tours due to COVID-19
2021– 2022**
SPRING 2022
• Alabama to D.C.
• Boundary Waters, Minn.
• California National Parks
• Pacific Northwest
• Philadelphia
SUMMER 2022
• Arizona
• Boundary Waters, Minn.
• Four Corners & National Parks
• Outer Banks, N.C.
• New York City
2022–2023
UPPER SCHOOL
• Brazil
• England & France
• Galápagos Islands
• Germany
• Greece
• Iceland
• Italy
• Morocco
• Peru
MIDDLE SCHOOL
• Alaska
• Costa Rica
• Galápagos Islands
• Iceland
• Morocco
• Netherlands
• Peru
LOWER SCHOOL
• Costa Rica
*spring only; **all domestic study tours due to COVID-19
2023–2024
UPPER SCHOOL
• Basque Country
• Big Bend, Texas
• Ecuador
• England & France
• Germany
• Japan
• Morocco
• New Zealand
• Oman & The UAE
• Thailand
• Vietnam
MIDDLE SCHOOL
• Baja
• Guatemala
• Israel & Palestine
• Japan
• Morocco
• Panama
• Quebec
• Uruguay
• Vietnam
LOWER SCHOOL
• Costa Rica
2024–2025
UPPER SCHOOL
• Bali
• Chile
• Germany
• Ghana
• Greece
• Italy
• Patagonia
• South Korea
• Togo & Benin
• Vancouver
MIDDLE SCHOOL
• Chile
• Greece
• Iceland
• Italy
• London & Copenhagen
• Mexico
• New York
• Netherlands
• South Korea
• Vancouver
LOWER SCHOOL
• Costa Rica
Community Engagement Partners
The Community Engagement program, housed within the ICGL, strives to develop students’ understanding of community engagement in myriad ways. The Lower School structures engagement around grade-level themes such as healthcare, the environment, and homelessness and housing. The program brings age-appropriate community partners to campus, coordinates volunteer projects throughout the year and, where possible, incorporates the grade-level theme into the curriculum.
In the Middle and Upper Schools, Pace students connect with and support the work of local nonprofits through student-led community engagement clubs, off-campus events, collection drives and on-campus education. At all levels, the goal is to support learning around empathy and innovation in connection to global issues. Community Engagement partners include:
ANIMALS
• Bosleyʼs Place
• Furkids
• La Amistad
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
• American Red Cross
• Amnesty International
• At-Promise Center
• Bloom Closet
• Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy
• Christopher League NYO
• Giving Grace
• Glamour Gals
• Sketching with Seniors
• Skyland Trail
• UNICEF
ENVIRONMENT
• Atlanta BeltLine Partnership
• Blue Heron Nature Preserve
• Trees Atlanta
EDUCATION
• Abrehot Library (Ethiopia)
• Agape Youth and Family Center
• Atlanta Youth and Tennis Education Foundation
• Best Buddies
• Books for Africa
• Boys & Girls Club — Matthews Club
• Easter Seals North Georgia
• Ellis Center
• Inspiredu
• La Amistad
FOOD INSECURITY
• Compassion Kitchen
• dReam Center
• Meals on Wheels Atlanta
• Sandwich Project
• Urban Recipe
HEALTHCARE
• American Cancer Society
• Atlanta Ronald McDonald House
• Baking for Breast Cancer
• Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (GirlFriends)
• Helping Mamas
• Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
• Miracle Knights
• Pace Against ALS
• Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation
• Susan G. Komen Foundation
• Swim Across America
HOUSING
• Ansley School
• Covenant House Georgia
• First Presbyterian Church Community Ministries
• Habitat for Humanity
• Intown Collaborative Ministries
• Lost N Found Youth
• Urban Recipe
ICGL Programming in the Lower School
The goal of the ICGL in the Lower School is to build awareness of global issues while introducing students to myriad cultures, perspectives and problem-solving skills. Students are encouraged to be resourceful, resilient, empathetic and creative.
Middle School ICGL Minimesters
Through the Middle School’s annual ICGL Minimester program, students engage in week-long, hands-on courses that focus on developing global mindedness, cultural awareness, engaged citizenship and leadership skills by taking students out of their familiar classroom environments and allowing them to learn about global issues in real-world settings in and around Atlanta. The program's emphasis on immersive and experiential learning focused around socially relevant topics supports the growth and development of students' global competencies.
ICGL Student Councils
In the Middle and Upper Schools, ICGL Student Council members create thought-provoking and appealing ways to explore the ICGL’s annual theme and other global issues. The council offers input, insight and student perspectives about the ICGL and ICGL programming; organizes student events; and brainstorms ways to engage the community around the annual global theme.
Upper School ICGL Programming in Atlanta
In the Upper School, the ICGL partners with the business community, institutions of higher education, and non-profit organizations to provide meaningful off-campus opportunities to apply their learning in the real world. Recent community partners across Atlanta include the CDC, the Center for Civic Innovation, Georgia Tech, The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Emory University, The Carter Center, CARE International, CISCO and Google.
Upper School ICGL Fellows Program
Guided by faculty mentors and local partners, Upper School ICGL Fellows participate in a multi-year, teambased leadership program that engages them in global issues. Following an application process, students selected as Fellows explore one of the following topics:
SCIENCE & TECH
• Global Health
CULTURE & ARTS
• Food Highways
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & SUSTAINABILITY
• Urban Revitalization
BUSINESS & SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
• Social Innovation
PUBLIC POLICY & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
• The Five Freedoms
ICGL Highlights by Division
THE LOWER SCHOOL ICGL EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:
• Character education
• Community-engagement opportunities
• Design Thinking instruction
• Coding development and policy simulation programs
• Global school partnerships
• After-school entrepreneurship programs
• Partnerships with universities, Zoo Atlanta, the Georgia Aquarium, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, World Wildlife Fund, 100 People and other organizations
• Study tours with a focus on Spanish-language immersion and community engagement occur after the fifth-grade year.
THE MIDDLE SCHOOL ICGL EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:
• Annual global theme guest speakers
• Community-engagement projects and partnerships
• International and domestic study tours
• Discovery classes and clubs that explore global issues and civic engagement
• Co-curricular offerings such as debate, Model UN and policy simulation
• Character Education: creativity, integrity, self motivation, resilience, teamwork and time management
THE UPPER SCHOOL ICGL EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:
• Annual global theme speaker series
• Community-engagement projects and partnerships
• ICGL Student Council
• Isdell Global Leaders program
• International and domestic study tours
• ICGL Fellows program
• Co-curricular offerings such as debate, Model UN and policy simulation
At Pace, we believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive learning environment is a key component of academic excellence, and that cultural fluency and compassion are vital to creating prepared, confident citizens of the world.
These fundamental values benefit our classrooms and community and are intentionally reflected in our curriculum, teaching and programming at all levels, ensuring that students are exposed to myriad perspectives and able to competently engage in civil discourse when faced with different or challenging ideas.
Striving for excellence at Pace means striving to create a community in which differences are embraced, and all students, parents, caregivers, faculty and staff have a sense of belonging.
JOANNE BEAUVOIR BROWN CHIEF EQUITY AND INCLUSION OFFICER
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
JOANNE BEAUVOIR BROWN
CHIEF EQUITY & INCLUSION OFFICER
BRIA SAMUELS ʼ13 DIRECTOR OF EQUITY & INCLUSION
AMY UNDERWOOD
LOWER SCHOOL DIVERSITY & INCLUSION COORDINATOR
PASCALE BIENNE
LOWER SCHOOL DIVERSITY & INCLUSION COORDINATOR
TARA HARRIS
MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVERSITY & INCLUSION COORDINATOR
SCOTT SHUPE
MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVERSITY & INCLUSION COORDINATOR
DR. JASON BROOKS
UPPER SCHOOL DIVERSITY & INCLUSION COORDINATOR
NIKKI MCCRARY
UPPER SCHOOL DIVERSITY & INCLUSION COORDINATOR
Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is reflected in age-appropriate ways throughout all three divisions. Examples include the Lower School's Read4Respect program; the Middle School's Engaged Citizenship and Holocaust & Civil Rights courses; and the Upper School's DEI unit in our ninth-grade Pathways classes and the Pace Academy Board of Diversity. We offer faculty-led affinity groups for students starting in grade three, and Middle and Upper School students also engage in a variety of student-led alliance clubs. Family involvement in on-campus cultural celebrations and related events enhances our spirit of community.
2024–2025 DEI Theme:
A SAMPLING OF GROUPS
& CLUBS:
• Affinity & Ally Groups
• Asian Student Alliance
• Black Student Alliance
• Gender & Sexuality Alliance
• Hispanic/Latinx Student Alliance
• Middle School Diversity Club
• Pace Academy Board of Diversity
At Pace, we nurture each student’s growth as they become prepared and confident citizens of the world. Central to this mission is our mental wellness initiative, a comprehensive program launched in 2024, which takes a proactive approach to student mental health by providing all of the children in our care with the tools they need to thrive and places student wellbeing at the heart of the Pace experience.
Our holistic approach integrates proactive prevention, innovative education, and collaborative partnerships among students, families and faculty. The program integrates seamlessly into our students’ daily experiences and is carefully crafted to bridge the transition from one division to the next.
As our students demonstrate their courage to strive for excellence, we are by their side, helping them build social and emotional skills that are essential for future success. We know that it takes a village to raise a child, and we are honored to be a part of this village.
ELLYE MILLAWAY DIRECTOR OF MENTAL WELLNESS UPPER SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Mental Wellness
ELLYE MILLAWAY DIRECTOR OF MENTAL WELLNESS
UPPER SCHOOL COUNSELOR
AMELIA HARMON
DIRECTOR OF COUNSELING SERVICES, UPPER SCHOOL COUNSELOR
DR. CHRISTI
BARTOLOMUCCI
CONSULTING PSYCHOLOGIST
Mental Wellness
At Pace, we support the whole child. Yes, academic excellence is at the core of all that we do, but we recognize that students cannot grow in knowledge and skills without growing socially and emotionally. To ensure that students become prepared, confident citizens of the world, we provide students with the tools they need to thrive at Pace, in college and in life through innovative, proactive and evidence-based mental wellness programs.
Our Philosophy
Pace is committed to fostering a nurturing, safe and positive learning environment for every student. Our mental wellness programs are dedicated to promoting healthy development and positive well-being throughout the Pace community. Through proactive prevention and education initiatives, we support the well-being of students, families and faculty alike.
Our Approach
Our holistic approach to mental wellness provides guidance and support for the entire Pace community. We recognize that for our students to thrive, they must be supported by an empowered faculty, informed families and prepared peers. Our thoughtfully designed program provides education and tools that build progressively from Pre-First to graduation.
Thriving Students
At the core of our initiative is the commitment to help every student thrive. We understand that students will face myriad challenges and difficulties—it’s life, after all—and while we cannot predict or prepare the road ahead, we can prepare them for whatever twists and turns they might face along the way.
For Pace students, we provide…
CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELING
Individual and small-group counseling sessions with licensed mental health professionals in a safe and support ive environment
CHARACTER EDUCATION
Regular character education lessons focused on positive personal growth, mental wellness and community values
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SKILL-BUILDING
Integration of social and emotional skills into classroom activities across all divisions
MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY
Education to increase awareness and understanding of key mental health issues affecting our community
STRENGTHENED SUPPORT NETWORKS
Relationship mapping to ensure every student has access to at least one safe and trusted adult on campus
A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT
An environment that promotes self-care and the care of others—because school should be fun!
Empowered Faculty
We believe that behind every successful student is a supportive teacher. To foster student well-being, we must also be committed to the well-being of our dedicated faculty and staff.
For Pace faculty and staff, we provide…
ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
Mental health services to support the well-being of employees and their families
COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING
In-depth training to support student well-being and social and emotional needs, as well as tools to utilize in the classroom
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Access to local and national training opportunities
CONSULTATION AND SUPPORT
Expert guidance on effective strategies for helping students thrive in the classroom
Informed Families
Students’ social and emotional skills are strengthened when they are reinforced at home. We equip families with tools and information through educational programming and community events.
For Pace parents and caregivers, we provide…
PARENT PROGRAMMING
Regular educational offerings, including a professional speaker series, workshops for parents, and Coffee and Conversation events with our counseling department
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Insights into child development, mental health, technology, positive parenting, equity and inclusion, substance misuse, current parenting trends and more
CONSULTATION
AND SUPPORT
Resources and guidance when a child is struggling
COMMUNITY REFERRALS
Connections to additional community resources, including outpatient therapy and psychiatric services, as needed
PARENTING CONNECTION
A division of the Parents Club responsible for increasing parent engagement in programming related to parenting and mental wellness. Additional resources via the school’s internal parent portal.
By the Numbers
100
Percent of graduates attend four-year colleges and universities
65
On average, each graduating class matriculates to 65 colleges and universities
5 Full-time employees in the Office of College Counseling
When I began my career in college admissions, “People actually pay you to do that?” was my mother’s response. “When I went to college you just picked one and showed up!”
Her point was fair. The landscape of college admissions is ever changing—and that’s where the Pace Academy Office of College Counseling comes in.
At Pace, we don’t measure our success in outcomes. We believe that when students are reflective, open and honest in the college-search process, the outcomes will follow. Our college counseling team requires that students dig deep and reflect on who they are and who they aspire to be as they determine their next school homes. We also provide students with tools to help them discern what they might be wired to do. Simply put, our office is always focused on the most important people in the process: our students.
While we know that many students and parents feel anxiety around the college admission and selection process, we choose instead to focus on the fun and excitement that come with discovery and, ultimately, finding the perfect fit.
Pace Academy is an amazing community, and we are fortunate to serve such wonderful students and families. We hope that you’ll take a few minutes to get to know our team. We are here to help.
JONATHAN FERRELL DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING
College Counseling
JONATHAN FERRELL DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING
CURTIS JOHNSON
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING
MELANIE POPE
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FOR COLLEGE COUNSELING
LENA ANDREWS
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING
AMY RUFF
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING
College Enrollments
The graduates of the Classes of 2020–2024 enrolled at the following colleges and universities:
American University (3)
Auburn University (27)
Austin Peay State University
Bates College
Baylor University (2)
Belmont University (3)
Berea College
Birmingham-Southern College
Boston College (7)
Boston University
Bowdoin College (2)
Brandeis University
Brown University (6)
Carleton College (2)
Carnegie Mellon University (2)
Case Western Reserve University
Chapman University
Clemson University (8)
Cleveland State University (2)
Coastal Carolina University
Colby College
Colgate University
College of Charleston
Colorado College
Colorado School of Mines
Columbia University (5)
Cornell University
Dartmouth College (5)
Davidson College (4)
Denison University (6)
DePaul University
Dickinson College
Duke University (6)
Eastern Illinois University
Eckerd College
Elon University (2)
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach)
Emory University (4)
Fairfield University
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida State University (4)
Fordham University (2)
Furman University
Georgetown University (10)
Georgia College
Georgia Institute of Technology (19)
Georgia State University (5)
Grinnell College
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampton University
Harvard University (2)
Hendrix College
Holy Cross College
Howard University (4)
Indiana University
Indiana University (Bloomington) (9)
Kennesaw State University
Lehigh University (2)
Louisiana State University (3)
Luther College
Macalester College
Marshall University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
McMaster University
Miami University (Oxford)
Middlebury College (3)
Morehouse College (2)
Muhlenberg College
New York University (4)
North Carolina A&T State University (2)
North Carolina Wesleyan University
Northeastern University (2)
Northwestern University (4)
Oberlin College (2)
Oglethorpe University
Oxford College of Emory University (2)
Parsons School of Design
at The New School
Pepperdine University
Piedmont University
Pitzer College
Pomona College (2)
Princeton University (4)
Purdue University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2)
Rhodes College (3)
Rice University
Santa Clara University (3)
Savannah College of Art and Design (3)
Sewanee: The University of the South (2)
Southern Methodist University (5)
Spelman College
Stanford University (5)
Stetson University
Syracuse University (5)
Temple University
Temple University, Japan Campus
Texas A&M University (3)
Texas Christian University (12)
The College of Wooster
The New School
The Ohio State University (2)
The University of Alabama (16)
The University of Tennessee (Knoxville) (2)
The University of Texas at Austin (7)
Trinity College (2)
Tufts University (4)
Tulane University of Louisiana (13)
Tuskegee University
United States Naval Academy (2)
University of Alabama at Birmingham (2)
University of Arizona
University of California (Berkeley) (2)
University of California (Irvine)
University of California (Los Angeles) (4)
University of Central Florida
University of Chicago (5)
University of Cincinnati
University of Colorado Boulder (7)
University of Denver
University of Florida (4)
University of Georgia (49)
University of Kentucky
University of Maryland (College Park) (4)
University of Memphis
University of Miami (13)
University of Michigan (10)
University of Mississippi (2)
University of New Haven
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (3)
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
University of North Georgia
University of Notre Dame (4)
University of Pennsylvania (7)
University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh)
University of Richmond (2)
University of Rochester
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco
University of South Carolina (7)
University of Southern California (4)
University of St Andrews (2)
University of Tennessee
University of Virginia (12)
University of Wisconsin (Madison)
Vanderbilt University (14)
Villanova University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Wake Forest University (23)
Washington and Lee University (6)
Washington University in St. Louis (12)
Wellesley College
Wesleyan University
William & Mary (3)
Williams College
Wofford College (4)
Yale University (4)
COLLEGE COUNSELING
As you have seen in this curriculum guide, there is a lot happening at Pace Academy!
Nestled on 34 acres in the heart of Atlanta, Pace offers a rigorous academic program, transformative global education initiatives, all-encompassing athletics and arts offerings, and world-class facilities. Simply put, we set the pace among the nation's leading independent schools.
But above all else, Pace thrives because our students are extraordinary. Yes, they are accomplished in many ways, but most importantly, they are kind, empathetic, curious and hardworking. They lean into challenges, seize opportunities to learn and grow, and respect one another and their various ideas, beliefs and diverse cultural backgrounds.
At the heart of the Pace experience are teachers and parents who believe in setting the bar high for our children and providing love and support at each step along the way. We know and take care of one another. It is the quality of these relationships that provides meaning and fuels our mission to create prepared, confident citizens of the world.
What an honor that you are considering Pace for your family. We can’t wait to introduce you to the programs and people that make our beloved school such a remarkable place to learn and grow.
Gratefully,
JEN MCGURN DIRECTOR OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT
MAC MCCALLUM DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AID
Admissions
Lower School Timeline
OCTOBER
• Create your Ravenna account
• Register for a tour of the Lower School
• Register for the JATP
• Application opens
• Register for Open House
• Begin filling out the AAAIS Shared Application and supplemental materials
• Observation dates will be assigned after the application has been submitted
NOVEMBER
• Attend Open House
JANUARY
• Submit Transcript Request Form to your school’s registrar
• Submit Teacher Evaluation request to your child's current teacher(s)
• Complete the observation with a member of Pace's Lower School faculty
• Financial aid applicants: begin your financial aid application via Clarity
FEBRUARY
• Application due
• All supplemental materials due
• Application for financial aid due
APRIL
• Admission decisions available electronically in Ravenna
• Response deadline
Middle School Timeline
OCTOBER
• Create your Ravenna account
• Register for a tour of the Middle School
• Register to take the SSAT
• Application opens
• Register for Open House
• Begin filling out the AAAIS Shared Application and supplemental materials
NOVEMBER
• Attend Open House
JANUARY
• Submit Transcript Request Form to your school's registrar
• Submit Teacher Evaluation requests to your math and English teachers, as well as your counselor or principal
• Attend an interview session with a member of Pace's Middle School faculty
• Financial aid applicants: begin your financial aid application via Clarity
FEBRUARY
• Application due
• All supplemental materials due
• Application for financial aid due
APRIL
• Admissions decisions available electronically in Ravenna
• Response deadline
Application Timelines
Upper School Timeline
OCTOBER
• Create your Ravenna account
• Register for a tour of the Upper School
• Register to take the SSAT
• Application opens
• Register for Open House
• Begin filling out the AAAIS Shared Application and supplemental materials
NOVEMBER
• Attend Open House
JANUARY
• Submit Transcript Request Form to your school's registrar
• Submit Teacher Evaluation requests to your math and English teachers, as well as your counselor or principal
• Attend a one-on-one interview session with a member of Pace's Upper School faculty
• Financial aid applicants: begin your financial aid application via Clarity
FEBRUARY
• Application due
• All supplemental materials due
• Application for financial aid due
APRIL
• Admissions decisions available electronically in Ravenna
• Response deadline
JENNIFER MCGURN
Director of Enrollment Management
404-926-3710
jennifer.mcgurn@paceacademy.org
SARAH STEWART
Associate Director of Middle School Admissions
404-240-7414
sarah.stewart@paceacademy.org
MAC MCCALLUM
Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
404-240-9109
mac.mccallum@paceacademy.org
DE’IRE FOXX
Associate Director of Upper School Admissions
404-262-3501
deire.foxx@paceacademy.org
Admissions Contact Information
KATHERINE PATRICK
Associate Director of Lower School Admissions
404-266-4437
katherine.patrick@paceacademy.org
ASHLEY STAFFORD
Admissions Database Manager
404-240-7412
ashley.stafford@paceacademy.org
MARISSA SHARE
Admissions Associate
404-262-1345 x209
marissa.share@paceacademy.org
Application Requirements
Our online application can be found at www.ravenna-hub.com
REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTAL PIECES FOR LOWER SCHOOL:
• Joint Admissions Testing Program (JATP)
• Report Card (Grades 1–5 only)
• Teacher Evaluations
• Principal/Counselor Evaluation (Grade 5 only)
• Family Statement
• Pace Academy Observation
REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTAL PIECES FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL
• SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) Scores
• Report Card
• Math Teacher Evaluation, English Teacher Evaluation and Principal/Counselor Evaluation
• Family Statement
• Student Interview
REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTAL PIECES FOR UPPER SCHOOL
• SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) Scores
• Report Card
• Math Teacher Evaluation, English Teacher Evaluation and Principal/Counselor Evaluation
