Center for Research on Adventist Education (CRAE) Webinar April 24, 2013

1. Center for Research on Adventist Education (CRAE) Webinar April 24, 2013

2. Atlanta Adventist Academy

3. Accreditation • AdvanceED/SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) • Middle States Accrediting Association • Adventist Accrediting Association

4. Atlanta Adventist Academy

5. Atlanta Adventist Academy About our students . . . 144 students approximately 2/3 in Metro campuses and 1/3 in partner campuses 83.3% are baptized 45 (Gr. 9), 43 (Gr. 10), 33 (Gr. 11), 23 (Gr. 12)

6. History of Atlanta Adventist Academy • In 1979 parents of students enrolled in metropolitan Atlanta Junior Academies met • They decided to combine these Junior Academies and form Atlanta Adventist Academy

7. Georgia-Cumberland Conference Members Initated AAA • Dr. Bruce Bergherm and Harry Haugen, Sr, were two of the driving forces behind this project • 3 founding faculty members worked at AAA retiring in the late 2000’s: • Aline Travis • Robert Geach • LettieMayeBragg

8. Changes • AAA was established in 1979 on the campus of the vibrant Cascade Road SDA Church property • AAA shared space with the Cascade Road SDA Elementary School • Metropolitan Atlanta demographics changed • The Cascade Road property was in need of major renovation • A single Metropolitan campus environment was no longer working

9. Challenges Arise • The Cascade Road SDA Church relocated to Powder Springs and later to Lakeview • The Cascade Road Elementary School closed after the 2000-2001 school year • Enrollment at AAA began to decline from a 1990’s high of 147 to a 2005 low of 70

10. 2006 - 2007 • The Cascade Road property was sold – a decision was made to develop a multi-campus school with a busing program • AAA classes began meeting in rented space at the Vineyard Church for the 2006-2007 school year • 3 metropolitan campus were being under construction

11. Since 2007 – 3 metro campuses • Duluth site was the first completed site on the campus of the Duluth SDA Church • The uncompleted upper floor of Duluth Adventist Christian School was finished to become the a seven classroom and administrative center for AAA • Peach Tree City site was completed on the campus of the Peach Tree City SDA Church • Marietta site was completed on the campus of the Marietta SDA Church

12. Partner Campuses added: • Greeneville, TN • Augusta, GA • Jellico, TN • Macon, GA • Tri-Cities, TN • Jasper, TN • Hoover, AL • Maryville, TN

13. Metro Distance Education Model includes: • The 3 metro campuses were smaller so all metro campus students could be bussed to the main campus in Duluth on Tuesday and Thursday for: • Face-to-face style presentations • Socialization • Science labs • Athletic team practices • Choir, bell choir, and Drama team rehearsal

14. Goal of AAA Model • To make high school level Adventist Christian Education available and affordable in Metro Atlanta • To make high school level Adventist Christian Education available and affordable across the Georgia-Cumberland Conference for parents who want to keep their students in a home environment

15. AAA Technology means: • Telepresence • Live two-way interactive • One-to-one computing • Only technology mix providing a sense of community and a connection with the world church

16. History & Development of the Distance Program • In 2010, AAA principal LaRondaForsey, was invited to speak at the U.S. Department of Education • One question which still remains unanswered: Is there a limit as to how far you can take this program?

17. A Special Thank You to: • The Lord for providing a church membership with a vision for Adventist Christian Education • Principals who led AAA on this journey: • David Denton, LaRondaForsey, Justin Okimi, Matt Jones • Previous and current GCC administration who have continued to support this journey: • Ed Wright, Kevin Costello, Cynthia Gettys, Kurt Allen, Kevin Kossick • Southern Adventist University for connecting us for this webinar

18. Atlanta Adventist Academy Thank you!