In Focus

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

• Summer Camps Registration: Sign up today (see below)
• Band Spring Concert: TONIGHT
• AP Exams: May 4-15, CLICK HERE for schedule
• Senior Exams: May 5-8, CLICK HERE for schedule
• Senior/Faculty Volleyball Game: May 6
• LS Dance Show: May 7
• Yearbook Presentation: May 11
• Senior Mentor Breakfast: May 13
• Senior Banquet: May 13
• Baccalaureate: May 15
• Graduation: May 16
• Exam Week: May 18-21 (see below)
• Rising Senior Parent Meeting: May 18
• K5 Graduation: May 19
• 5th Grade Graduation: May 20
• Last Day of School: May 21 (early dismissal)

CLICK HERE to access the GWA website calendar

*Please note* - As in previous years, 6th and 7th grade students will follow an adjusted class schedule during exam week while maintaining the same start and dismissal times as students in grades 8–12. See email from Mrs. Beam (dated 4/22/26) for details.

This semester, our Upper and Middle School faculty read AI for Educators by Matt Miller. It’s a quick, practical guide - and is sparking great conversations about how we use AI thoughtfully to support student learning. I highly recommend parents read it.

At yesterday’s faculty meeting, teachers opened their laptops and practiced writing strong prompts—clear instructions that help an AI tool (a “bot”) respond in a useful way. Using AI, Assistant Head of School Kellie Watts even created a simple diagram (see below) to help us. As we thoughtfully revised our prompts, the responses became clearer and more insightful. The improvement was instantaneous.

Next year, Coach Logan Beer and I are excited to co-teach a new Upper School course in financial literacy. As a starting point, I used the CRAFT process and asked it to draft a course outline based on Dave Ramsey’s work. Then I refined the prompt - one CRAFT point at a time - so the outline better matched our students and our school. After a few rounds, AI generated a detailed, full-year syllabus that we can review, adjust, and build on as we design this course. And all of this in only 30 minutes - what a time saver!

What stood out to me in this faculty exercise is how closely writing AI prompts connects to the skills we want for every student: clear communication and strong critical thinking. Students are still doing the thinking - they decide what to ask, evaluate what comes back, and revise from there. When they learn to ask better questions, they get better answers, and AI becomes a tool they can use responsibly and wisely.

Artificial Intelligence is here to stay. At GWA, our teachers are learning how to use AI well, so we help students navigate it with confidence and get themselves ready for the fast-changing world that lies ahead.

John D. Marshall

Head of School

By Cortney Pickens

After completing a unit on the Thermae, or bathhouses, of ancient Rome, our Honors Latin III class constructed an interactive Roman bath experience to share with some of our lower school students. This interactive experience showcased the five major rooms of an ancient thermae: the apodyterium, or changing room, where students were invited to shed their socks and shoes and put on flip flops to protect themselves from the heated floors; the tepidarium, where they learned about the hypocaust heating system and tested out a warm pool; the caldarium, where they tested a hot bath and learned how Romans used olive oil and a scraping strigil to clean themselves; the frigidarium, where they dipped their toes into a cold plunge and had a quick sit on the Roman latrines; and finally, they learned to play trigon in the outdoor palaestra, or exercising grounds. And in true Roman fashion, they ended their bathhouse experience by purchasing a snack and tipping their favorite bathhouse attendant with the Roman coins made by the Latin students.

Our first graders in Mrs. Franklin’s class are becoming fraction experts! Students used fraction tiles and fraction blocks to explore parts of a whole and discover equivalent fractions. Through hands-on learning, they compared sizes, built different combinations, and saw how fractions like 1/2 can be the same as 2/4 and 4/8.

It’s amazing to watch their confidence grow as they make connections and explain their thinking. Way to go, mathematicians!

Our fourth graders celebrated Earth Day by creating shape poetry that brings their words and ideas to life. Each poem beautifully combines creativity and care for our planet, showcasing not only their writing skills but also their thoughtful hearts. It’s inspiring to see how they used both words and shapes to celebrate the Earth.

The 2027 Winter Term offers an incredible opportunity to step beyond the classroom and into meaningful, real-world learning - but these trips can only happen with your participation. With the South Africa experience already filled, spots are still available for three unique and inspiring journeys. Each trip requires a minimum of 10 students to move forward, so if something sparks your interest, don’t wait - commit by the May 15, 2026 deadline and be part of something unforgettable.

The Service Trip to Thailand blends cultural exploration with hands-on impact. Students will work directly with an elephant rehabilitation center and a local school, making a tangible difference while gaining global perspective. Beyond service, the experience is rich with adventure and discovery - from visiting iconic landmarks like Wat Traimit, the Grand Palace, and the Temple of Dawn to exploring floating markets and the historic city of Ayutthaya. Add in a Thai cooking class, rafting, a Muay Thai lesson, and time at Elephant Nature Park, and this trip becomes a powerful mix of purpose and excitement.

The STEM Trip to the United Kingdom is ideal for students curious about innovation, history, and discovery. Traveling through Belfast, Edinburgh, and London, participants will explore world-renowned sites like Giant’s Causeway, the Titanic Museum, Stirling Castle, and Edinburgh Castle. The journey culminates in London with visits to Stonehenge, Bletchley Park, and the British Museum. This trip brings STEM concepts to life by connecting them to real places, breakthroughs, and stories that have shaped the modern world.

For those drawn to the outdoors, the Domestic Adventure to the National Parks of the Southwest offers breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable experiences. Students will kayak on Lake Mead, hike through stunning terrain, ride horseback, and stargaze under some of the clearest skies in the country. Highlights include Zion and Bryce Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, the Grand Canyon, and Coral Pink Sand Dunes. It’s an opportunity to challenge yourself, connect with nature, and experience the beauty of our national parks in a truly immersive way.

These trips are more than travel, they’re opportunities to grow, serve, explore, and connect. Don’t miss your chance to be part of Winter Term 2027 - sign up by May 15 and take the first step toward an experience you’ll carry with you long after the journey ends. CLICK HERE for more information and the sign up links. Contact Mrs. Suzy at squinlan@gwa.com with any questions.

Congratulations to the following rising juniors on their selection to represent GWA in the Youth Leadership Walton cohort! These students will spend the next two years participating in monthly leadership opportunities and retreats with students from other Walton County schools. We are impressed by each of you and can't wait to watch you represent GWA in the community!

Carter Rivers

Brock Lowe

Mac Ferguson

Constance Trinh

Lilly Kate Stephens

Join us for the yearbook presentation on May 11 at 1 p.m. in the Nicholson Center.

Parents are welcome!

Get ready for a summer full of fun at GWA! Our June and July camps for ages 5–12 offer something for everyone — from Basketball, Soccer, Football, and Tennis to creative favorites like Camp Chaos, LEGO Camp, Cardboard Creations, Cooking Camp, Silly Science, Disney Camp, Barbie Camp, Minecraft Camp, and more.

Whether your child loves to stay active, get creative, or try something new, GWA Summer Camps are the perfect way to make summer unforgettable.

CLICK HERE to secure your spot! Our summer camps are open to all - campers do not need to be enrolled at GWA! Happy camping!

Congratulations to our amazing K3 and K4 students on today's performance of "Toybox Toyband" - a playful, music-filled production featuring toys that come to life.

The Middle School One Act class has been hard at work on their class play "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" since January. The students have studied the art of acting, stage management, sound operation, and light operation to present the classic story by C.S. Lewis. Students will perform the show a total of four times during their normal class period. Parents, lower school classes, and some middle school classes will be invited to come and watch them bring the tale to life. Please CLICK HERE to reserve your (free) seat.

The Champions Club is excited to host the First Annual Clay Shooting Tournament. Join us for a great day of competition, fellowship, and supporting GWA.

Date: June 14
Time: 12 p.m. start
Location: Burnt Pine Farm

Cost:
• $250 per shooter
• $1,000 per 4-person team

Registration includes lunch and a tournament t-shirt.

Proceeds from the tournament will support The Champions Club and the GWA Clay Target Team. CLICK HERE for registration. Email Logan Beer with any questions.

George Walton Academy Head of School John D. Marshall has been elected to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA), a statewide organization representing independent and faith-based schools.

Marshall joins a distinguished group of senior leaders guiding GISA’s mission and strategic direction. The association supports nearly 180 member schools through accreditation, academic programming, and interscholastic activities. Marshall previously served on the GISA Board from 2007–2017, including as its board chair in 2016–17.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Marshall played varsity baseball and majored in American Military History. He holds master’s degrees from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and Teachers College, Columbia University, and has more than 30 years of education experience nationwide.

“I am very much honored to rejoin the GISA Board of Trustees,” Marshall said. “Independent and faith-based schools educate future leaders, and I’m especially grateful to see our state leaders expanding support through educational tax credits and vouchers.”

GISA President Dr. Jeff Jackson said, “John Marshall is a well-known and respected advocate for private education in our state and was instrumental in bringing me to GISA nearly 20 years ago. John’s experience and educational vision will help GISA at a critical time in our growth and development.”