Architect Peter Norris received the J. Robert Chambers, Jr. Award on Monday, August 5, 2019, during the annual Athens Academy back-to-school event at the State Botanical Garden. The award, named in honor of longtime Athens Academy headmaster Bob Chambers, honors “extraordinary individuals whose actions reflect unwavering support and selfless devotion to the ideals and philosophy of Athens Academy.”
Next year marks the 30th anniversary of Norris’ work at Athens Academy. In 1990, then Headmaster Bob Chambers hired Norris to design the Bertelsmann Foundation Building, a sprawling media center located in the center of the Athens Academy campus. Over the past 29 years, Norris has worked on the campus master plan, using his trademark clean lines, white walls, and an abundance of windows and natural light. He is responsible for the design and/or renovation of the Harrison Center, the Science and Art Building, the Lampkin Building, the Middle School Building, the Chambers Center, Erwin Hall North and South, the Harold Harrison and Drew Swan Middle School, and the Middle School sports pavilion. His influence can be seen in every building across the beautiful Athens Academy campus.
Athens Academy Recognized Nationally for Excellence
The U.S. Department of Education announced on Monday, October 1, that Athens Academy has been named a 2018 Exemplary High Performing National Blue Ribbon School. Athens Academy is one of only 49 non-public schools across the country to receive this honor.
“Our faculty and students work hard each and every day to make magic happen on our campus, and it is great to be validated by the National Blue Ribbon School program,” says Head of School John Thorsen. “We are proud of our school and our accomplishments, yet still recognize that we must always strive to be even better. It’s great to be a Spartan!”
National Blue Ribbon Schools are on education’s cutting edge, pioneering innovative educational practices from professional learning communities and project-based learning to social and emotional learning and positive behavior systems. Schools must complete a comprehensive and detailed application about school practices, student test scores, academic programming, and more.
