The Learning Edge for GAC Families
Dr. David Fincher, President

Too often “excellent education” feels like a paradox.  Focused parents (and often grandparents) are chronically torn between confusing goals while they try to provide the optimum in learning for their children.

Here are just a few dilemmas I’ve seen parents face.

1. Thoughtful parents want a learning world that challenges their children to their full potential—but they don’t want to crush them in the process.  They struggle with balance.   Read more...

Tremendous Achievements in Senior High
Scott Harsh, Senior High Principal

• 6 GAC Seniors named National Merit Finalists
  Jeff Young, Caroline Sims, Kristen Frederickson, Rene Kukkamalla, Jessica Johnson, and Evan Turner have been named Finalists by National Merit.  These six students were named Semi-Finalists last fall by scoring in the top 1% nationally on the PSAT.  After an intensive application process all six have moved on to become finalists in the National Merit Scholarship competition.  Read more...

Reading Coaches Have Exceeded Our Expectations
Rhonda Hawkins, Director of Academic Support and Early Childhood Principal

One of the greatest joys of teaching is seeing children blossom and grow.  We have witnessed that time and time again this year with the reading coaches.  Have you heard the term reading coaches?  Have you wondered who they are and what they do?   Read more...

John Oxendine Educates GAC Students for the Future
Jill Morris, Director of Community Relations

“Greater Atlanta Christian is committed to preparing our students for the future.  Included in that preparation is an awareness of the political, economic, and social changes our students will encounter in their near future.  Our students’ awareness of government and citizenship issues are an essential part of their preparation that I’m thankful we can provide.  A valuable resource among us is GAC dad and Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John Oxendine.  John has graciously agreed to speak at GAC on March 17th during Senior High and Junior High chapel.” – Dr. David Fincher    Read more...

Educational Experiences During Black History Month
Jill Morris, Director of Community Relations

The following is a sampling of activities that occurred throughout all four schools during Black History Month:

High School: Elaine Adams' Painting and Drawing classes studied the paintings of Henry Ossawa Tanner, William Henry Johns, Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, John Biggers, Beauford Delaney, and Georgian, Benny Andrews.  With a focus on the eras in which they lived, students learned how the issues of society impacted their subject matter.   Read more...

No Magic Pill for Hard Work
Gary Schofield, Performance Training Director

“With all the recent news reports concerning the use of ‘performance enhancing drugs’ in sports, I thought it might be beneficial to remind our GAC community of the stance our athletic department takes concerning any supplementation.  I’ve asked our resident expert, Gary Schofield, who serves as our Performance Training Director to share this policy below.” – Tim Vick  
Over the last 15 years, the field of sports performance training has changed greatly but what remains the same is the constant pursuit for “perfection”.   Read more...

Prayers for Honduras Mission Team

Sixteen student missionaries and four faculty chaperones bowed their heads in prayer as over 600 senior high students and faculty surrounded them and prayed.  The students and faculty members are part of the Honduras Mission team traveling during Winter Break.  A Commissioning Service, during chapel was lead by Dr. Fincher on Thursday before their departure.  Following the commission, Bible teacher Daniel Cline prayed for the team saying, “Fill them with a perfect love and allow others to see that love.   Read more...

Senior High Students Honor Roll and President's List Achievements
Dr. Sandy Spiceland, Senior High Academic Dean

GAC has an established climate in which academic achievement is respected and applauded.  In the 2007 fall semester, 68% of the senior high students were named to the Honor Roll or President’s List, nearly tying the record of 69% set in the 2007 spring semester.   Read more...

New York Performer Rich Swingle Promotes Missions and the Arts
Jill Morris, Director of Community Relations

New York performer Rich Swingle both enlightened and entertained Senior High students with his one-man play, “Beyond the Chariots”.  This play picks up where Chariots of Fire ends as Swingle reenacts the story of Eric Liddell’s life following the 1924 Olympics. Liddell's faithful walk during a time of persecution changed the hearts of his enemies.  Liddell was said to be “the greatest athlete that Scotland had ever had.”  Eric served as a missionary in North China from 1925-1943 and impacted many lives for Christ.  During the war between China and Japan, Liddell became a prisoner in the Weihsien Internment Camp where he died.     Read more...

The NAIK...What a Difference it Makes!
Jill Morris, Director of Community Relations

GAC Baseball is already feeling the rewards that access to the Naik Athletic Center represents.  The Naik was dedicated this past August in memory of former GAC student Shanil Naik.  Cliff Shelton recently expressed his appreciation saying, “…I am already seeing in baseball results—as a practice facility, locker room, and a first true ‘home’ of GAC baseball.  This is the best facility in the state, including most universities.  Parents are excited about working in a first class building.  They are making statements like, ‘this is awesome’, ‘what a great facility’ and ‘most colleges don’t have facilities this nice’”.  Cliff concluded, “Mostly, parents just stand looking around with a big smile on their faces.”  

GAC Returns to China
Dr. Sandy Spiceland, Senior High Academic Dean

When Student Council Co-President Allen Blinder was asked at the 40th Homecoming what was his most outstanding high school experience, he immediately responded, “the trip to China".  That tour in 2006 was one of the most successful Study Abroad tours in the history of our program.  During Spring Break 2009, the GACS Study Abroad program will return to China.   Read more...

Growing Leaders
Dr. Misty Overman, Junior High Principal

Recently during chapel, I casually asked eighth graders what their vision for change would be in our school.  Their answers were about a surprisingly simple yet complex subject – relationships.  They didn’t ask for less homework or soda during lunch.  Each one of them described a change that would focus on improving relationships with each other.  As teachers and administrators work on wonderfully grand plans of improved courses to challenge children, a Learning Center to support them, an athletic training facility to help them grow in stature, we are also looking for ways for them to grow spiritually and socially.  Read more...

Continuous Professional Development in Elementary
Jill Morris, Director of Community Relations

Eleven more Elementary teachers will participate in the Mel Levine’s “Schools Attuned” Workshop this summer.  GAC faculty members will again host the workshop on our campus as we are joined by faculty from five other schools.  By fall 2008, 26 GACS Elementary faculty will have completed this premier training.  This  program helps educators understand how the brain is "wired," various ways that students learn, patterns of students' learning differences and how students' passions and strengths can be used to overcome weaknesses in the classroom.   Read more...

High Touch High Tech in 4th Grade
Karen Cherry, Elementary 4th Grade Teacher

Fourth graders participated in a “hands-on in-school” field trip presented by High Touch High Tech of Atlanta.  The presentation, The Real McCoy, introduced students to several famous African-American scientists and inventors such as Mae Jamison, Elijah McCoy, Lewis Latimer, Granville Woods, and Fredrick Jones.  Students enjoyed participating in experiments that demonstrated applications of the scientists’ accomplishments.    Read more...

Motor Moms and Dads
Rhonda Hawkins, Early Childhood Principal

Sensory Integration.  Vestibular System.  Proprioceptive System.  Crossing the Midline.  What do all these terms have to do with young children?  All these areas affect motor skills which are necessary for academic success.   Read more...

2008-09 School Year

August 11 - First Day of Classes
September 1 - Labor Day - Campus closed
September 22 - Student Holiday - Teacher Professional Day
November 3 - Student Holiday - Teacher Professional Day
November 4 - National Election Day - Student & Faculty Holiday
November 26-28 - Thanksgiving Student Holiday
December 17-19 - Final Exams - Early Dismissal
December 22-January 5 - Christmas Holidays
January 6 - Classes Resume - Semester 2 Starts
January 19 - MLK Day - Campus Closed
February 13-17 - Winter Break
April 3 - Grandparents' Day - Early Dismissal
April 6-10 - Spring Break
April 24 - Student Holiday - Teacher Professional Day
May 19-21 - Final Exams - Early Dismissal
May 21 - Last Day of Classes - Commencement