A Dream Come True
Coweta
Teacher Spotlight:
Pam
Barfield
By
Michelle Jarrell, EdD
Though
it took 25 years, having her own classroom
is a dream come true for one third grade
teacher at Coweta's Canongate Elementary
School.
|
 Fayette's
Mad Scientist "I never
met a science I didn't like," quips Marge
Counts, an eighth grade Earth Science teacher
at Fayette County's Rising Starr Middle School.
.
|
Coweta and Fayette counties
are proud of the educational opportunities that are available
here. Besides top-rated county school systems, there is
a variety of high-caliber private schools in the area.
Fayette County School
System
The Fayette County
School System, with a current enrollment of more than 20,000
students, is both locally and nationally renowned for its
cutting edge academic programs that prepare students for
the 21st Century world. Many of its schools have received
the Georgia School of Excellence designation and two have
been named National Blue Ribbon Schools.
"Parents have often
commented that they feel their children receive the equivalent
of a private school education through Fayette's public education
system," says Melinda Berry-Dreisbach, Fayette Schools spokesperson.
"One reason is that we attract the best teachers to our
classrooms. Our strong academic program, community support,
small class sizes, lifestyle advantages and staff development
opportunities help us attract some of the best teacher candidates
available."
Strong support from
the Fayette County community also helps the school system
remain one of the best in the state, according to Melinda.
Through a strong Partners in Education program, a collaborative
effort between the school system and the Fayette County
Chamber of Commerce, many of the county's businesses work
directly with the schools to provide volunteers and donate
supplies to help enhance education.
Coweta County Schools
With nearly 19,000
students and 27 schools, the Coweta County School System
is located in one of the fastest growing counties in the
country.
With the passage
of an extension of the one-cent Special Local Option Sales
Tax in 2002, the school system is continuing its improvement
of existing schools and construction of new schools. There
are plans to open a new middle school in the coming year,
and construction will begin in 2003 on the new Grantville
elementary school, according to Dean Jackson of the Coweta
County School's Office of Public Information.
While the school
system is growing, there's no suffering in the quality of
education. "Our school system has had two Blue Ribbon Schools
-- Elm Street Elementary and Newnan High School -- and a
host of other honors over the past 10 years," says Dean.
In 2002, Northgate
High School was ranked as the 12th highest-performing high
school in the state by the Georgia Public Policy Foundation,
Newnan High School posted average SAT scores 17 points higher
than the national average and 57 points higher than the
state, Eastside Elementary School was named a state Pay
for Performance school for demonstrating adherence to high
academic standards, and the Central Educational Center was
presented a "Terrific" award - top state honors - by the
Georgia Economic Development Association.
Coweta County School
System's technology charter school, the Central Educational
Center, is hailed state-wide and nationally as a model for
seamless education.
Private Schools
There is a wide choice
of private schools in the area, each offering quality education
with a specific focus or purpose.
The Bedford School
The Bedford School's purpose
is to maximize the potential of each child with a learning
disability. Their nine-month day program is specifically
designed to meet the needs of children with learning disabilities
in grades one through nine. Located in Fairburn, Bedford
is the only school in the south metro area of Atlanta that
addresses the needs of these children and their families.
Bedford also offers
Squirrel Hollow Camp, a five-week, residential summer program
that accepts students aged 7 - 16. The camp maintains a
two to one student/staff ratio. Students receive academic
instruction individually and in small groups.
Counterpane School
Counterpane School in
Fayetteville offers a year-round Montessori curriculum from
the preschooler through high-school levels. The school,
founded in 1974, is situated on 16 wooded acres and enrolls
approximately 130 students from six counties and various
backgrounds.
The Heritage School
Mens, Corpus, Spiritus,
Sodalitas--Mind, Body, Spirit, Camaraderie. This is the
motto of The Heritage School -- a college preparatory day
school offering personalized educational experiences for
children of strong character and academic promise. An independent,
co-educational, non-sectarian school, Heritage serves students
from Coweta, Fayette and surrounding counties. The school
is located on 62 wooded acres north of Newnan and enrolls
students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
The mission of The
Heritage School is to prepare students for success in college
and life by setting high academic and personal standards,
providing curricular and other programs which challenge
individuals to achieve their highest potential, and creating
an environment of participation, friendship and trust.
Landmark Christian School
"Leadership through
Service... Excellence through Dedication to God" is Landmark
Christian School's motto. Education at Landmark is joyful
and dynamic, as well as traditional. Highest value is placed
on establishing nurturing relationships with God, students,
faculty and parents.
Located in nearby
Fairburn, the non-denominational school enrolls over 700
students in K4 through grade 12. Students are offered a
full range of athletics as well as 20 co-curricular clubs
and activities, participation in which has earned the student
body many honors and awards.
Our Lady of Mercy High
School
Since August 2000, Our
Lady of Mercy High School has offered high quality education
with a solid, religious footing. Approximately 220 students
attend the current ninth through twelfth grades.
As one of the most
technologically advanced and supplied schools in the area,
Our Lady of Mercy High School is extensively equipped with
300 desktop computers for classroom use and 100 laptops
available for student check out. The high school is located
in a $20 million facility on 54 acres in north Fayette County.
St.
Paul Lutheran School
At St. Paul Lutheran
School, small classes, a family atmosphere, a safe environment
and dedicated teachers all contribute to help students "live
and grow as Christian citizens who will positively influence
God's world."
In addition to emphasizing
phonics, effective communication skills, mathematical functions,
social studies, health, and science, the curriculum integrates
the Christian faith and perspective in each subject area.
Extra-curricular activities available in athletics, fine
arts, drama and curriculum areas enhance the students' learning.
Other private schools
and academies in the area include Arlington Christian School,
Carolyn Barron Montessori, Coweta Christian School, Crossroads
Christian, Fayette Christian, Fayette Montessori, Grace
Christian, Heritage Christian, Joseph Sams, Newnan Christian,
Newnan Classical, Our Lady of Victory Elementary, PACE Christian,
Peachtree Baptist Academy, Peachtree City Seventh Day Adventist,
Pentecostal Church of God Christian, Proverbs Christian
Academy, Trinity Christian and Woodward Academy.
