About Us
Welcome
Thank you for visiting our website. Exploring our site is a great first step in getting to know us, and we’re excited to share what makes our community special. As we prepare for another fantastic year, we invite you to visit our campus, walk our sidewalks, and see firsthand the vibrant life of Athens Academy.
At Athens Academy, we blend the best of traditional values with forward-thinking education. We cherish our strong sense of community and treat every student with dignity and respect. Simultaneously, we stay ahead with robust math and science programs and a variety of hands-on learning opportunities for all ages.
We are a community of dedicated teachers, curious students, supportive parents, engaged mentors, proud alumni, passionate coaches, and valued friends—all united in the pursuit of educating young people. Every day we are guided by our mission, "Athens Academy seeks excellence with honor in the educational and personal experience of each student." Our goal is to engage students in meaningful work, preparing them for college and life beyond. The success of our graduates, who often return to share their achievements, attests to the strength of the education and foundation they received here.
We look forward to welcoming you to Athens Academy, where excellence with honor is our guiding principle.
A few of the great things going on at Athens Academy:
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The Class of 2024 sent 76 students off to 40 different colleges and universities across 18 states and Canada, including Princeton, Cornell, Vanderbilt, UGA, Georgia Tech, and many more.
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Recognition by Niche.com as one of the top ten private schools in the state of Georgia, and the #1 private school in Northeast Georgia.
- Our athletics teams have been performing at a very high level, and we finished last year with a total of 54 state championships for Athens Academy!
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Our fine arts program had an excellent year, with students winning awards in the one act play competition as well as several national visual arts contests including the prestigious Scholastic Gold Key Awards!
To really get a feel for our people and programs, I encourage you to come visit us! In our Admission Office, Geoffrey Walton and Mary Catherine Jernigan would love to schedule an individual tour for you and your family, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
If you have questions, please let us know! Our division directors are happy to answer grade-specific concerns, and you can contact me directly as well at any time. I hope to see you soon. Thank you again for taking the time to learn a little bit more about Athens Academy.
Go Spartans!
John Thorsen
Head of School
jthorsen@athensacademy.org
Athens Academy seeks excellence with honor in the educational and personal experience of each student.
To realize this mission, Athens Academy is guided by the following operating principles:
List of 3 items.
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The School and Academic Programs
Athens Academy:- Nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and curiosity to prepare students for college and life-long learning.
- Recognizes individual differences in learning styles and academic needs within the stated purpose of the school.
- Is sensitive to the students’ emotional and physical wellness in and out of the classroom.
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The School and the Individual
Athens Academy:- Is guided by the Judeo-Christian ethic and fosters respect for the heritage and beliefs of others.
- Believes that personal integrity is essential to any achievement.
- Expects students to assume increasing responsibility for their own educational development.
- Encourages individuals to recognize the effects of choices and their consequences in the larger community.
- Expects individuals to respect the dignity, property, and person of others.
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The School and the Community
Athens Academy:- Uses the founding principles of the United States of America to prepare students to become responsible citizens in our democratic society and to become responsible global citizens.
- Engages with the community by sharing school resources and facilities and by participating in community, cultural, and service opportunities.
Athens Academy
Athens Academy is an independent, co-educational school for students in K3 through 12th grade, located on a beautiful 152-acre campus in Northeast Georgia. For over 50 years, Athens Academy has pursued its mission of Excellence with Honor through academics, athletics, fine arts, and service and leadership.
