By Margie Asef | Greater Atlanta Christian School has announced that it surpassed its $29.7 million capital campaign goal — raising a total of $30 million.
Titled “The Path Forward,” the campaign is the largest in GACS’ 48-year history.
Aerial view of GACS campus
GAC President, Dr. David Fincher, says: “Greater Atlanta Christian has always been on a fast track forward. It’s in our DNA to strive for the absolute best in research-based learning aligned with powerful character building programs and people. This successful campaign has launched us again in significant ways, all for our students and families. It allows us to do much more than impact facilities. While facilities matter, the greatest impacts will be seen in areas of learning, expanded resources, supporting great teaching, plus building community and faith. Mainly—the campaign will make it possible for the GAC student of today to advance to incredible new levels not possible before.”
When the campaign launched publicly in 2015, it prioritized four key areas for improvement: Academics, the Arts, Athletics, and Faith. Katherine White, Vice President of Advancement, led the Path Forward campaign.
White
Initiatives included renovations to six existing facilities, including the two original academic buildings built in 1968, and the addition of four new facilities. When construction is complete, there will be over 180,000 square feet of new or completely renovated space on campus.
Because of early gifts, several projects in the new plans have already been completed or are already well underway. Projects only started once GACS was certain of funding. About 30 percent of projects are completed, with the largest of ten projects ready for fall of 2016.
Initiatives completed thus far include:
- The transformation of the existing business building into the new Art and Design Center, doubling the space of GAC’s growing Visual Arts program.
- The new Environmental Learning Center expands outdoor learning for elementary students, including a chicken coop, student-directed greenhouse, and edible garden.
- The new Cross Tower and Center Stage located at the heart of campus provides additional worship space, a place for baptisms, and special events.
- The redesigned Strickland Plaza expands outdoor learning space for Junior High and Senior High.
- More space is now available for athletic teams and their training in the new Hoover Field House.
- More field and practice space is available for lacrosse, football, baseball, and softball through the new Multi-Sport Complex.
Currently, the Junior High Building and the Senior High Complex are being redesigned to ensure that students and faculty have access to more collaborative and interactive classrooms for teaching and learning.
Construction to convert the Campus Chapel Building to the new Center for Performing Arts is set to begin in fall 2016.
All construction is scheduled to be completed by May 2017.
The Path Forward campaign also covers academic programs like the Leadership and Entrepreneurial Program that spans kindergarten through 12th grade. Through specially designed curriculum, mentoring, and annual speakers, students will gain leadership training with character building.
Additionally, $3.2 million will be set aside to provide ongoing professional development for teachers, and to recruit the best educators for GAC students.
- For more information about Path Forward initiatives and projects, visit www.greateratlantachristian.org/path-forward.
Greater Atlanta Christian School is located on 88 acres on Indian Trail Road in Norcross, Ga. Founded in 1961, GAC offers a Christian education to more than 1,800 students K3-12. GAC families come from more than 90 zip codes and 14 counties in the Atlanta area.
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