Academics

Preschool

From the moment each student enters the Harrison Center for the Arts and Preschool, the excitement of learning is evident in all aspects of a child’s day. The preschool experience at Athens Academy is a total immersion into the cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development, unparalleled in the area.  Because the formative preschool years are critical, our curriculum and learning spaces are carefully designed to foster creativity, integrate learning, and provide the foundation for life-long learning.  We invite you to visit our campus and learn about Athens Academy's rich and engaging programs.

List of 3 items.

  • K3

    The half-day, week-long K3 program provides a developmentally appropriate curriculum which fosters an integrated approach to learning. Working to reach each learner’s stage of development, the curriculum is presented in weekly, thematic units with the focus on the fundamental skills necessary to develop a love of learning and sense of curiosity about the world.

    As part of a college preparatory school, the K3 program provides enriching experiences within and beyond the classroom. Special area classes include Music, Art, Science Lab, and Library Time. A culminating activity and most anticipated yearly event is the K3 play with singing, acting, and dancing on the Harrison Center Performance Hall stage. Students also spend time each week with counselor Morgan Jones, with a focus on social-emotional learning and growth.

    There are many fun activities and traditions throughout the year, including the Preschool Halloween parade, a Harvest Festival in the fall, Reindeer Games before the winter break, the 100th Day of School in January, and much more. Students are paired with a third grade "reading buddy," with whom they visit several times during the year. Several fun field trips a year provide learning outside the 152 acres.

    Students must be three years old by September 1 of the matriculation year in order to be considered for enrollment in the K3 class.
  • K4

    The half-day, week-long K4 program provides a developmentally appropriate curriculum which fosters an integrated approach to learning. Working to reach each learner’s stage of development, the curriculum is presented in weekly, thematic units centering around a letter of the week. The interdisciplinary units include fundamental skills in the areas of literacy, math, social studies, science, art, music, and personal social development. 

    As part of a college preparatory school, the K4 program provides enriching experiences within and beyond the classroom. Special area classes include Music, Art, Science Lab, and Library Time. A culminating activity and most anticipated yearly event is the K4 play with singing, acting and dancing on the Harrison Center Performance Hall stage. Students also spend time each week with counselor Morgan Jones, with a focus on social-emotional learning and growth.

    There are many fun activities and traditions throughout the year, including the Preschool Halloween parade, decorating gingerbread houses, the 100th Day of School in January, Donuts with Grownups in the spring, and much more. Students are paired with a fourth grade "reading buddy," with whom they visit several times during the year. Several field trips throughout the year provide learning outside the Athens Academy campus.  

    Students must be four years old by September 1 of the matriculation year in order to be considered for enrollment in the K4 class.
     
  • Pre-first Grade

    As part of a college preparatory school, the pre-first program provides enriching experiences within and beyond the classroom. While emphasizing academic, social, emotional and physical fundamentals, a student’s day is a unique sensorial experience not found in the traditional preschool setting.

    Pre-first special area classes include Music, Art, Science Lab, Library Time, and Physical Education. A culminating activity and most anticipated yearly event is the pre-first play with singing, acting and dancing on the Harrison Center Performance Hall stage. Students also spend time each week with counselor Morgan Jones, with a focus on social-emotional learning and growth. 

    There are many fun activities and traditions throughout the year, including the Preschool Halloween parade, Reindeer Games before the winter break, the 100th Day of School in January, and much more. Several field trips throughout the year provide learning outside the Athens Academy campus.  

    Students must be five years old by September 1 of the matriculation year in order to be considered for enrollment in the Pre-first grade class.

List of 3 members.

  • Photo of Colleen Burwell

    Colleen Burwell 

    Director of Pre/Lower School
    Georgia College and State University - Ed.S.
    Georgia College and State University - M.Ed.
    University of Georgia - B.S.
  • Photo of Lauren Moore

    Lauren Moore 

    Assistant Director of Pre/Lower School
    University of Georgia - B.S., M.Ed.
  • Photo of Morgan Jones

    Morgan Jones 

    Pre/Lower School Counselor
    University of Georgia - Ed.S. & M.Ed.
    Agnes Scott College - B.A.
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.