JANUARY 30, 2025

NOTES FROM SPARTAN LANE

JOHN THORSEN, HEAD OF SCHOOL


Last Saturday was an awesome day for Athens Academy. A big thank you to our parent volunteers who made the Spartan Soirée a big success from start to finish. As I mentioned that evening, we had guests in attendance who started their relationship with our school in the late 1960’s as well as many who have joined us in the last few years—a span of 55 years. In Athens, there are not too many enterprises that have stood the test of time like we have on Spartan Lane. Here are some highlights to consider: over the last two and a half admission cycles we have had over 100 students admitted to UGA; Spartan teams have won eleven state championships since 2010 and 54 overall; the last two graduating classes have earned over $14M in merit scholarships to colleges and universities across the country; over the past ten years, we have built or fully renovated 122,200 square feet of our campus; our alumni call 46 states and ten foreign countries home; and our current lead teachers average nineteen years of teaching experience.

 

Our re-enrollment agreements will be shared on Monday, so please be on the lookout for them in your inbox. This school year has been memorable on several fronts, and we are excited about what the 2025-2026 academic year will bring our students and families. If you have questions about the year ahead or the re-enrollment process, please do not hesitate to contact me, a member of our admission team or a division director. Read more.

FINE ARTS

Don't miss the Middle School Drama Department's presentation of Into the Woods, Jr., February 7-9!  

ATHLETICS

Oftentimes in the athletic world we focus too much on winning and losing without looking at the big picture associated with education-based athletics.   

COLLEGE COUNSELING

I sometimes have parents ask why we wait until junior year to begin preparing students for college. 

I assure you that is not the case. 

STUDENT SERVICES

Groundhog Day is just around the corner and many of us are excited to hear what Punxsutawney Phil, Staten Island Chuck, or more locally, General Beauregard Lee (accurate 70% of the time), have to say about our future weather. 

***HELP FUND CAMPUS SECURITY***

Thank you to everyone who joined us Saturday night for the Spartan Soirée and to all who took part in the auction and raffle! Several families who were not able to attend have asked how they can participate in the "Fund-A-Campus Security Officer" auction item, so we have decided to open this link through midnight this Saturday, February 1. Click here to make a gift in support of this very important fund. Thank you for your generosity and for supporting our Spartan community!

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

ALL GRADES OPEN HOUSE (K3-Grade 12)

FEBRUARY 19 - 8:30 A.M.

MYERS GALLERY / SCIENCE & ART BUILDING

Parents of prospective students for the 2025-2026 school year are invited to join us for a casual and informative open house on February 19. We'll talk about the admission process, the Georgia Promise Scholarship, and the Athens Academy program before touring the campus and seeing our teachers and students in action. Click here to reserve your space. Questions? Email Mary Catherine Jernigan or call 706.433.2599.


ATHENS ACADEMY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Athens Academy has several positions open for the 2025-26 school year, so please encourage friends and family members to consider applying if interested. New positions may be added periodically, so please check back frequently. Click here for the link or go to the Athens Academy homepage > Community > Employment Opportunities. Some of our best teachers have come to us a referrals from our families, so thank you in advance for your help!


SPARTAN 5K VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

If you are interested in volunteering for the 40th annual Spartan 5K and Sprint, please click here and sign up today! The races are scheduled for Saturday, February 8, and there are lots of volunteer spots available. Questions? Email Sarah Gilbert. Thank you!


OPEN TO ALL: FIRST FRIDAYS PRAYER GATHERING

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7 | 8:15 AM | FARMER FIELD HOUSE

The first prayer gathering of 2025 has been rescheduled to February 7 because of last week's inclement weather. We hope to see you then at the Farmer Field House beginning at 8:15 a.m. All parents and staff are welcome. Upcoming dates: March 14, April 4, and May 2. If you have any questions, please email Candace Couch.

MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAY: INTO THE WOODS, JR.

FEBRUARY 7 & 8 @ 7:00 PM / FEBRUARY 9 @ 2:00 PM

BERTELSMANN PRESENTATION HALL

The Athens Academy Middle School Drama Department is pleased to present the musical Into the Woods, Jr., featuring characters from "Little Red Riding Hood," "Jack and the Beanstalk," "Rapunzel," "Cinderella," and several others. Mark your calendars now! February 7 & 8 at 7:00 p.m. and February 9 at 2:00 p.m. in the Bertelsmann Presentation Hall. Tickets are $2/students and $5/adults and can be purchased through GoFan or at the door.

PARENT TALK WITH AUTHOR CARA BEAN ON MENTAL HEALTH & YOUNG ADULTS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10 | 3:45-4:30 PM | BERTELSMANN PRESENTATION HALL

Parents: please join Cara Bean, cartoonist and author of Here I Am, I Am Me, for a moment of relaxation and exploration. Discover why she believes comics and mental health topics blend powerfully together, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the journey of creating her book. Hear about the young people, big thinkers, and creative minds who inspired her, and learn more about her unique approach to making comics that inform and uplift. Click here to purchase a copy of Here I Am, I Am MeQuestions? Email Natalie Luke.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SPIRIT STORE HOURS: MONDAY-FRIDAY, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

UPPER SCHOOL WINTER DANCE: Saturday, February 1 from 8:30-11:00 p.m. in the Reigle Baseball Facility

PSO BOARD MEETING: Tuesday, February 4 at 8:15 a.m. in the Farmer Field House (Open to everyone!)

FIRST FRIDAYS PRAYER GATHERING: Friday, February 7 at 8:15 a.m. in the Farmer Field House

SECOND GRADE CLASS PLAY: Friday, February 7 at 8:45 a.m. in the Harrison Performance Hall

MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAY--INTO THE WOODS, JR.: Friday, February 7 and Saturday, February 8 at 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, February 9 at 2:00 p.m. in the Bertelsmann Presentation Hall

40TH ANNUAL SPARTAN 5K & SPRINT: Saturday, February 8 at 9:00 a.m.

PARENT BOOK TALK WITH AUTHOR CARA BEAN: Monday, February 10 from 3:45-4:30 p.m. in the Bertelsmann Presentation Hall

FRESHMAN NIGHT/CLASS OF 2028: Monday, February 10 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the Bertelsmann Presentation Hall

STUDENT HOLIDAY/FACULTY DEVELOPMENT DAY (NO SCHOOL): Monday, February 17

ALL GRADES OPEN HOUSE: Wednesday, February 19 at 8:30 a.m. in the Myers Gallery

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE: Thursday, February 20 from 1:00-6:00 p.m. in the Farmer Field House

PRE/LOWER SCHOOL FAMILY SCIENCE NIGHT: Thursday, February 20 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in Barrett Hall

MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCE (GRADES 7 & 8): Friday, February 21 from 8:00-10:00 p.m. in the Tillman Center

ICE OUT HUNGER ICE SKATING EVENT SUPPORTING ACAD INTERACT: Sunday, February 23 from 3:00-8:15 p.m. at the Classic Center ice rink

PSO UNIFORM RESALE: Wednesday, February 26 from 8:00-11:00 a.m. in the Chambers Center

UPPER SCHOOL TALENT SHOW: Thursday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the Bertelsmann Presentation Hall

FIRST GRADE CLASS PLAY: Friday, February 28 at 8:45 a.m. in the Harrison Performance Hall

CLASSES DISMISS FOR SPRING BREAK: Friday, February 28 at 3:20 p.m. (Extended Day closes at 4:00 p.m.); classes resume on Monday, March 10

FIRST FRIDAY PRAYER GATHERING: Friday, March 14 at 8:15 a.m. in the Farmer Field House

FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE: Friday, March 14 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the Middle School Gym

SOPHOMORE NIGHT/CLASS OF 2027: Monday, March 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Bertelsmann Presentation Hall

CONFERENCE DAY (NO SCHOOL, ALL DIVISIONS): Wednesday, March 19

ACAD TALKS 2025 & CAPSTONE CELEBRATION: Wednesday, March 19 at 7:00 p.m. in the Bertelsmann Presentation Hall

PSO UNIFORM RESALE: Wednesday, March 26 from 8:00-11:00 a.m. in the Chambers Center

ATHENS ACADEMY

1281 Spartan Lane | Athens, Georgia 30606

706.549.9225 | www.athensacademy.org

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