Academics

Class of 2026

Seniors Recognized by National Merit

Athens Academy is pleased to announce that nine members of the Class of 2026 have been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation: five students as Semifinalists and four as Commended Students.  
 
Congratulations to Brendan Golish, Zhenxi Li, Annie Luke, Remy Marty, and Weston Smart, who have been named Semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Program. As Semifinalists, these twelve students represent the top 1-2% of the highest scoring seniors across the country. They will continue in the competition for National Merit scholarships, which will be announced in the spring. 
 
Of the 920 private schools in the state of Georgia, Athens Academy is proud to be ranked #6 for the number of National Merit Semifinalists recognized this year (tied with Marist and Wesleyan). Athens Academy also has more students recognized than any other private school in the Athens area and across North Georgia.
 
In addition, four seniors have been recognized as National Merit Commended Students, representing the top 3-4% of the highest scorers across the country. Congratulations to Riley Harding, Henry Thomas Garrard, Luke Kelly, and Bryce Paramore.

Students Inducted into Cum Laude Society

On Thursday, April 23, fifteen members of Athens Academy’s Class of 2026 were inducted into the prestigious Cum Laude Society in recognition of their commitment to superior scholastic achievement throughout Upper School. The fifteenth annual Cabaniss Lecture, which preceded the ceremony, was given by Dr. Karl W. Kuhnert, professor of the practice in organization and management at the Goizueta Business School at Emory University.
 
As the secondary school equivalent of Phi Beta Kappa, The Cum Laude Society recognizes superior academic achievement and sound character. Congratulations to inductees Charlotte Campbell, Kathryn DeLoach, HT Garrard, Brendan Golish, Riley Harding, Connor Kane, Luke Kelly, Chenghan Li, Zhenxi Li, Annie Luke, Remy Marty, Will McCleary, Anshi Patel, Weston Smart, and Charlie Walton.

College Choices

The members of the Class of 2026 are attending 41 different colleges and universities across 18 states and two Canadian provinces.

Auburn University
Centre College
Clemson University
Columbia University
Davidson College
DePaul University
Elon University
Furman University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Southern University
Georgia State University
Hillsdale College
Huntingdon College
Ithaca College
Kansas Christian College
Kennesaw State University
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Montana State University
Purdue University
Savannah College of Art & Design
Sewanee: The University of the South
Smith College
Southern Methodist University
Texas Christian University
Tufts University
Tulane University
United States Naval Academy
University of Alabama
University of British Columbia
University of Georgia
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota
University of Mississippi
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Georgia
University of Notre Dame
University of Tennessee
University of the Cumberlands
University of Toronto
Wake Forest University
Wofford College

Athens Academy

1281 Spartan Lane
Athens, Georgia 30606
Phone: 706.549.9225
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.