In Focus

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and X

or visit us online.

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

• Summer Camps Registration: Open now (see below)
• School Holiday: April 3 (Good Friday)
• Spring Break: April 6 - 10
• Athletic Signing Day: April 22
• Field Day: April 24

CLICK HERE to access the GWA website calendar

I recall advice from my grandmother, “Don’t talk politics or religion to groups with differing viewpoints.” With Easter fast approaching, I make an exception. As Head of School, it is important to remind everyone in the GWA Family who we are and what we believe.

Our main goal at GWA is to know and love every student. To quote one of my favorite pastors, we believe in drawing circles, not lines, so every child feels included. We don’t ever want to divide or exclude. Drawing inspiration from the Easter Story, we seek to draw big circles, big enough to include every single child and family at George Walton Academy.

This Easter, let’s all keep the big circles in mind. Whether your family recognizes Christ as the most influential human figure in history, or embraces Him as a personal Lord and Savior, or is somewhere in between, please have faith that, at George Walton Academy, we accept you, will love and affirm your child, and are thankful that you are a part of our special school family.

Let’s affirm our core school values codified in the Strategic Plan 2030.

• Faith
• Excellence
• Respect
• Engagement
• Perseverance

Faith is at the top of this list because GWA was founded by twelve men in 1969 as a college-preparatory school firmly grounded in Judeo-Christian principles. Easter reminds us of who we are:

• Our faculty and staff strive to lead with love, mercy, and kindness in all our actions and words, as the life of Christ exemplifies. Our actions and behaviors are teachable examples, especially for children. As a longtime mentor shared, people would rather see a sermon in how one lives their life than to be preached to.

• We unapologetically lead with prayer at school assemblies, faculty meetings and school events.

• We have Bible classes in the Lower and Upper School and support optional student worship groups in the MS and US (Bible Bulldogs). We often share bible verses and have prayer in our morning messages in MS and US Huddles.

• We are inclusive of all faiths and encourage families of other faiths to share their experiences and traditions in our classrooms.

• We respect the family who does not wish their child to partake in worship activities.

At GWA, we deeply love our students and families and aspire to lead with Christ-like love and acceptance. Gratitude, humility, and grace are watchwords that guide and inspire us. Every day is a new day, offering each of us a chance to learn from our mistakes and to make a difference in the lives of others.

Blessings to you and your family for an uplifting Easter!

Kade Franklin has been chosen as Rotary Student of the Month for March. He has selected Jessie Croft as Teacher of the Month. Kade has earned the UGA Certificate of Merit, as well as the GWA Best of the Best Award, and has made the Head of School list throughout high school. Kade demonstrates leadership and involvement as an active member of National Honor Society (president), Beta Club, Gavel Club (president), Student Council (class representative), Mu Alpha Theta, History Quiz Bowl, Literary, Interact Club, Recycling Club and GWA Student Ambassadors. Kade is an accomplished musician with All-State recognition and a member of the GWA Marching Bulldog Band - serving in leadership roles since ninth grade. He has also been accepted to the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony for trombone. Kade serves his community through his student club affiliations. Kade will attend the University of Georgia in the fall, and he looks forward to pursuing a career in aerospace engineering.

Congratulations to Kade and Señora Croft!

Journey Allen has been chosen as Rotary Student of the Month for April. She has selected William Dunn as Teacher of the Month. Journey has earned the GWA Best of the Best Award and has made the Head of School list since ninth grade. She is an active member of National Honor Society, Beta Club, Student Council (class president), Recycling Club (president), Interact Club, Book Club, GWA Student Ambassadors and the GWA Theatre Company. She has received first and second place awards in Literary at the state level for spelling and personal essay and placed fourth in the state in the Laws of Life Essay Contest. Journey gives back to her community through her club activities and as a local camp counselor. Journey will attend the University of North Georgia and plans to pursue a degree in biology through the Honors College program.

Congratulations to Journey and Mr. Dunn!

Middle and upper school educators at George Walton Academy are coming together through a collaborative book club centered on AI for Educators, united by a shared commitment to innovation and student growth. As they explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence in education, faculty members are engaging in thoughtful discussions about how students can use AI responsibly to enhance learning, creativity, and critical thinking. At the same time, educators are discovering practical ways to integrate AI into their own teaching practices to help in streamlining planning, personalizing instruction, and fostering deeper engagement in the classroom. This professional learning experience reflects George Walton Academy’s dedication to staying at the forefront of educational excellence while preparing students for a rapidly changing world.

In this exciting hands-on project, eighth-grade students designed and built their own rollercoasters to explore the relationship between potential and kinetic energy. As their marbles traveled along the track, students observed how energy transforms at different points—measuring and calculating the percentage of potential energy at the highest peaks and kinetic energy at the fastest drops. Through creativity, collaboration, and real-world application of physics concepts, students gained a deeper understanding of energy conservation in motion. This project truly took learning to new heights while keeping science engaging, interactive, and fun!

In our fifth-grade BARK (enrichment) class, students took on an exciting engineering challenge by designing and building their own version of the classic game Operation completely from scratch. They began by brainstorming creative themes and sketching out detailed designs, then brought their ideas to life by handcrafting each game board and its unique pieces. The most impressive part was the electrical work—students learned how to wire circuits that included buzzers and lights, which activated whenever a player touched the sides while trying to remove a piece. This hands-on project combined creativity, problem-solving, and STEM skills, giving students a deeper understanding of how design and electricity work together in real-world applications.

Each year the fourth grade wraps up their fraction unit with a real-world baking project. After learning about fractions and mixed numbers, students apply this knowledge to a recipe that needs to be altered. They had to correctly quadruple a recipe to provide enough cookies for the class.

Students spent their final day following Mrs. Griggs' recipe using measurement tools accurately and gaining real world baking skills. The fourth graders always look forward to this day! Special thanks to our parent volunteers for their hands-on help!

Taking inspiration from the book, If I Built a House, second-grade students are designing their dream rooms . The first step was designing the coverings for the walls and floor including any windows, curtains, and rugs. Next, they will start building any furniture for their rooms with the opportunity to use our new cardboard cutters. Finally, they will create any additional decorations like bedding, pillows and posters.

Our K5 classrooms turned into science labs this week for Peep Day! Students put the marshmallow treats to the test using all five senses, exploring everything from their sugary scent to their squishy texture.

The young scientists conducted a “sink or float” experiment, held a flavor taste test, and graphed the results to determine the class favorite. They wrapped up the fun by writing descriptive stories about their marshmallow friends. It was a fantastic, hands-on way to practice observation and data skills!

Our fifth graders had an unforgettable day on their recent class outing as they continued a favorite Eastertime GWA tradition.

The day began with a heartwarming visit to the Walton Senior Center, where students spent meaningful time visiting with seniors, sharing smiles, laughter, and conversation. They also performed a selection of songs that brought so much joy and energy to everyone in the room. It was a special opportunity to connect across generations and brighten the day for others.

The fun continued at Stars and Strikes, where students enjoyed time together in the arcade. From friendly competition to lots of laughter and memories made with friends, it was a day full of connection, excitement, and fun for all!

This week, Mrs. Coe and Mrs. Williams took a group of high school students to volunteer at the Newton County Track and Field Special Olympics held at Sharp Stadium. The students served as buddies for elementary-aged athletes, supporting and encouraging them throughout the events.

The athletes competed in the 100- and 200-meter runs, softball throw, and long jump. After the events, everyone enjoyed fun activities including bounce houses, face painting, and "manicures." It was a day full of joy, encouragement, and special memories for everyone involved.

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.

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

George Walton Academy’s Scene Shop students have been hard at work bringing the spring musical to life from the ground up. Every production begins with a script and a vision, which quickly takes shape through scale models, design collaboration, and careful construction. Under the guidance of drama director Ms. Bekah Wesley and Mr. Josh Jameson, students build every piece of the set from start to finish - from structural framing to painting and props.

The Scene Shop, which rotates each semester, continues to grow in popularity and gives students hands-on experience with tools, design, and teamwork. As students discover their strengths, specialized crews naturally form, with some focusing on carpentry and construction while others excel in painting and detail work.

“We wanted to get an early jump on the build… we aimed to begin construction immediately after close of the One Act Competitions,” Ms. Wesley shared.

Mr. Jameson added, “We decided to go big or go home, and we built the largest set ever seen at GWA, taking up every available inch we could in the theatre.”

The result is an immersive stage experience and a tremendous sense of pride for everyone involved. As Jameson noted, “When the actors and crew step back and admire what they’ve done, they all have a real sense of accomplishment.”

The work behind GWA’s spectacular spring production of The Addams Family began long before opening night. As soon as the script was selected in September, director Ms. Wesley and the production team began bringing the vision to life.

“Work on the show begins as soon as a script is chosen,” Ms. Wesley shared. From designing the set layout and entrances to choosing colors, props, and stage details, every decision was carefully planned to create an immersive theatrical experience.

Rehearsals took place fully after school, so that students who aren't taking a drama/theatre class during school can still participate in theatre.With a cast of 21 students and a 7-member student crew, the process required dedication, teamwork, and flexibility. Students rehearsed four days a week, beginning with music before moving into staging, choreography, and the intensive daily schedule of tech week.

“Casting a show is like putting together a giant puzzle,” Ms. Wesley explained, noting that beyond auditions, she considers availability, behavior, and how students work together as an ensemble.

The production process offers students far more than stage experience. Through theatre, they develop confidence, empathy, collaboration, and leadership skills. Students across grade levels build meaningful relationships, with older students mentoring younger performers and crew members.

“Doing a show bonds you so closely with your castmates,” Ms. Wesley said. “Students from different grades become friends when they likely wouldn’t have without the show.”

For many students, the experience becomes a defining part of their school journey. Whether performing on stage, managing props, costumes, or backstage cues, each student plays an essential role in the success of the production.

At its heart, Ms. Wesley says theatre is about connection and storytelling: “Theatre helps us escape from our regular day-to-day lives for a couple of hours. If the story I’m telling makes someone laugh or cry, then I’ve done my job.”

The result was a truly memorable production — one built through creativity, commitment, and the remarkable teamwork of GWA students.

Congratulations to these six amazing young musicians!

Wendy Menard

Addie Hayes

Isaac Osei

Nate Simon

Braxton Perkins

Nick Schultz

They came together with the top students selected from over 50 High Schools from our area to create this year’s District 14 Honor Band. They performed in the East Jackson High School Auditorium for over 800 adoring fans and had an amazing weekend of making incredible music and lasting memories!

GWA middle and high school artwork is on display at the Monroe Walton Center for the Arts Middle and High School Art Exhibition. Show runs Tuesday, March 24 through the closing reception on Thursday, April 23 at 6 - 7:30 p.m.

The GWA varsity track team hosted the Dawg Dash on Saturday and came away with some great finishes. The girls team finished 2nd and the boys were 3rd.

Top 3 Finishes (16)

Girls 4x100 - Kennedie Cooper, Chloe Arnold, Kenzie Johnson, Morgan Davis

Emma Konik - 1600, 800, 3200

Hank Snell - 400

Morgan Davis - 100, 200

Kennedie Cooper - 100, 200

Maci Gray - 800

Jackson Wells - 300H, Triple Jump

Girls 4x400 - Maci Gray, Libby Root, Kendall Woodbury, Morgan Davis

London Fluellen - Long Jump

Roland Crutchfield - Shot Put

Girls 4x800 - Maci Gray, Kendall Woodbury, Chloe Bettner, Makayla Islas

The team competed in the County Championship on Wednesday at Walnut Grove High School. Walton County Championship results:

Top 3 Finishes (6)

Girls 4x800 - Maci Gray, Kendall Woodbury, Chloe Bettner, Emma Konik

Emma Konik - 1600, 800

Jackson Wells - 300H, Triple Jump*

Roland Crutchfield - Shot Put

*Jackson Wells - County Champion in Triple Jump