In Focus

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Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (678) 635-3800

• 4th Grade Musical Performance: Dec. 12
• Exam Week (8th-12th): Dec. 15-19 (details below)
• Early Dismissal (all grades): Dec. 19 (no aftercare/buses depart at 11:05 a.m.)
• Christmas Break: Dec. 22 - Jan. 5
• Faculty/Staff Work Day: Jan. 5 (no school for students)
• Upper School Winter Term: Jan. 6 -16

CLICK HERE to access the GWA website calendar

Please CLICK HERE for exam week details (sent in an email from Mrs. Watts on 11/18).

Students in Mr. Odum's Senior Writing are bringing Jane Austen's Lady Susan into the modern day with their poster projects. After reading the book over the last two weeks, students wrapping up their semester by translating this Regency novel told in letters into modern day text message threads.

During the fall semester, students in seventh-grade Life Science studied dendrology which is the scientific study of trees and woody plants. Their culminating project was a unit long assignment where they created a reference notebook to show they could identify, describe, and understand differences in a set number of tree species. This personalized field guide built their ability to identify common trees of Georgia, understand forest ecology, practice observation skills, and complete a professional quality dendrology notebook. From taking notes about identifiable characteristics of broadleaf, oaks and evergreen trees, making their individual leaf presses, collecting specimens, and completing tree description sheets students gained first-hand knowledge of how scientists document plant/tree species.

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to Georgia GOAL! If you haven’t yet, there’s still time to make a meaningful impact by redirecting your tax dollars to support financial aid at George Walton Academy. Your participation directly opens doors for students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience all that GWA has to offer. You’re not just giving—you’re changing lives.

The deadline to apply is December 31, 2025, and the process takes about two minutes. If you have questions, feel free to email Matt Reynolds at mreynolds@gwa.com.

Ready to make a difference and check this off your to do list? CLICK HERE to apply today!

Don’t miss your chance to purchase professional recordings of GWA events by South River Sound. From school performances to priceless traditions, these videos let you relive the joy, pride, and excitement for years to come. It’s a wonderful way to preserve your child’s GWA experience — and to share those special moments with family near and far. CLICK HERE to purchase a DVD or one-time digital download for just $5 per event.

Did you hear the big news from the Dining Hall? Our brand-new salad and deli bar is officially open for upper school students, and it’s already becoming a lunchtime highlight! Students have been piling on toppings, making their perfect sandwiches, and putting the new panini presses to work. Middle school students will begin using the bar in January as part of our phased rollout.

To keep things simple, pricing is straightforward: a salad is $5, a panini is $5, and students can choose a half salad + half panini combination for $7.

This improvement came directly from the input shared during our family surveys and student focus groups earlier this semester. We’re grateful for the thoughtful feedback and will continue to make updates throughout the year. More enhancements to our dining program are coming soon.

Our GWA bands – including the 5th grade Bullpup Band, the 6th grade Junior Bulldog Band, GWA Symphonic Winds, GWA Concert Ensemble and Percussion Theatre performed Christmas favorites before a large crowd at their annual Christmas Concert. Congrats to Mr. Smith, Mr. Cornelius and all our musicians on a wonderful concert!

The saws and hammers have been busy this holiday season! Immediately after wrapping One-Act, Mr. Jameson and Mrs. Wesley’s Scene Shop class has been framing up walls and platforms for GWA’s biggest production build yet - The Addams Family Musical.

Mr. Jameson commented, “The second half of the year usually brings high tensions for the shop class due such tight deadlines (usually only a few weeks) to complete by production. Knowing we had a good show this year, we are excited to get an early jump on construction to impress our audiences in the spring.” Ms. Wesley added, “We haven’t attempted anything this large before so we’re pulling out all the stops for a smooth rehearsal schedule.”

Get ready for Bulldog Basketball tomorrow night as GWA hosts Athens Christian! Go Bulldogs!

The GWA Swim Team is excited to share the results of their meet at Georgia Tech last Friday, Dec. 5! Varsity girls finished 3rd overall, while Varsity boys placed 4th overall. JV girls took 8th place overall, and JV boys came in 2nd place!

Individual shout-outs to the following swimmers:

• Anthony Pham for winning first place in all of his events and first overall in the men’s division!
• Maci Gray for being the high point scorer for Varsity with a total of 20 points!
• Bella Weimer for landing 1st place in 100yd Fly!
• Liam Silvers for being the overall high point scorer for both teams with a total of 21 points!
• Gabbie Zaleski for having the most time dropped for Varsity girls (8.96 seconds!)
• Will Franklin for having the most time dropped for Varsity boys (5.10 seconds!)
• Jack Vannoy for having the most time dropped for JV boys (8.17 seconds!)
• Peyton Tauber for having the most time dropped overall for both teams (10.82 seconds!)
• Bethany Pham for placing 1st in 50yd breaststroke!
• Liam Silvers, Keegan Thompson, Baylor Thompson, Noah Wells, and Maddox Wells for an amazing performance in their relays!

Many goals were reached and victories were made throughout this meet. Congratulations to all participating swimmers for a great performance. They look forward to continuing to reach goals and cut time at our next meet on Jan. 10, 2026.

We’re incredibly proud of Kaleb Raines, Roland Crutchfield, and AJ Dillard for being named to the 2025 GIAA 4A ALL-STATE Football Team! Well done, Dawgs!

Kaleb Raines

• 51 solo tackles

• 16 TFLs

• 7 sacks

Roland Crutchfield

• 390 total offensive yards

• 5 TDs

• 30 solo tackles

• 8 TFLs

• 6 sacks

AJ Dillard

• 1,266 passing yards

• 795 rushing yards

• 22 TDs

Our Game Day cheerleaders placed 5th out of 17 at the GIAA State competition in Macon!

The team overcame lots of adversity and changes in warm ups - they adapted and hit two near perfect routines! Coach Katie Padgett shared, “The girls increased their score by 18 points from our first competition this season and earned the program highest score (4th season).”

Congrats to all on a great finish!