Education
A Community Cornerstone Grows Stronger
Cornerstone Christian Academy’s Campus Improvements. Photos By George Hunter.
Bright minds prefer a bright, sunny setting to stay sharp and positive. Cornerstone Christian Academy has gone to major lengths to promote the future success and well-being of their students by completing a serious of recent extensive campus renovations, funded by over $3 million raised by philanthropic support from the Cornerstone community and friends of Cornerstone.
Cornerstone is no stranger to renovations and building improvements throughout its two-decade history, continuing to expand its facilities periodically to accommodate for development in academics, athletics, arts and many other enriching educational endeavors. The school has come a long, long way from its humble 2001 beginnings as a church school in the children’s wing at Peachtree Corners Baptist Church.
Dee Ann Crawford, Josh Whitlock, Sara Fogle.
Since the 2016 purchase of their 11-acre property at 5295 Triangle Pkwy NW in Peachtree Corners, Cornerstone’s board redirected their efforts to projects that would prove beneficial in the long-term which previously weren’t feasible in a leasing agreement.
“God’s dreams for Cornerstone have always been bigger than mine. Each time we renovated or expanded our campus, I tried to imagine what God would do next,” said Former Head of School and current Director of Admissions De Ann Crawford.
The interior structure of the building works rather well, but the board felt the surrounding grounds could use enhancements of its aesthetic appeal. Additionally, students needed more useable outdoor spaces.
Making way for new space
Demolition to make way for wide-open spaces began over Spring Break last year, which included the leveling of an old office building to make way for a much-anticipated campus mall. Most of the construction was completed by the start of school. Staff and students gained full access to the new outdoor spaces after Cornerstone’s 20-year celebration on October 1.
“During the celebration, I must admit, I stepped aside with a grateful heart as the worship band played, families spent time together, and wonderful new memories were being created from one end of the campus to the other,” Crawford said.
At the improved Cornerstone Christian Academy campus, students can run around on the grassy campus mall dubbed Cougar Quad. Cougar Quad includes Flook Stage on one end and Honor Plaza on the other.
“Recess is significantly more fun because the large green space allows us to play ultimate frisbee. The green space also has allowed my teachers to create fun and innovative activities like math scavenger hunts,” said student Cole Creel. “In addition, as a house leader I am hoping to host ping pong and foosball tournaments in the MS Plaza for the student body.”
Creel just couldn’t contain his excitement about the transformation of his school and demonstrated gumption that perhaps mirrors his dad (Headmaster Colin Creel) by sending an impassioned message to Peachtree Corners Magazine asking for the good news to be shared with the outer community.
Quad brings benefits to all
Staff members have remarked on the welcome changes as well.
“As a parent of four young children, I know it’s important to let them run around outside in the fresh air. This space will be great for recess,” said Director of Technology and Design Josh Whitlock. “I already see students playing kickball, four square, just running around, and my personal favorite singing and dancing on the stage. Even the middle school students are enjoying the space.”
Whitlock has taught at Cornerstone for 10 years and has three children of his own attending the school in first, second and third grade, as well as a four-year-old who will join them next year. Besides his personal thoughts on the spaces, on a professional level Whitlock has already witnessed the benefits.
“I love taking my video production class outside any time there is good weather. We are able to spread out and film several projects in the new space,” he said. “I’ve also had the privilege of hosting some Cornerstone alumni Chapel Band members to play music for our large family gathering on the new stage. I know we will have a lot of live music and movie watching happen on the green.”
Teacher and Chapel Coordinator Sara Fogle shared similar sentiments. “The campus expansions have created such a positive energy to our student community,” she noted. “The addition of our Cougar Quad and patio has increased our ability to provide student gatherings and teaching options like never before.”
Fogle is quickly approaching 14 years at Cornerstone teaching a wide array of subjects, primarily seventh and eighth grade Math, and Bible classes for fifth through eighth grades, as well as elective classes such as World Religions, Cooking and Chess. Her three kids attended through eighth grade, then went on to Norcross High School; currently, all three attend University of Georgia.
“This place has been an anchored extended family that has helped us grow and thrive. I have been fortunate to see the physical growth of our school, as a staff and a campus,” Fogle said.
For the Lower School Carpool, a covered walkway was erected named Adra Breezeway. Lastly, the plan included numerous infrastructure additions related to fiber, lighting, asphalt and more. The added lighting and visibility should bolster security measures as well.
“We are blessed in Georgia with moderate temperatures which allow us to utilize these outdoor spaces for most of the year,” Headmaster Creel said.
Cornerstone’s cornerstone
But all that glitters isn’t necessarily gold. It’s always most important to remember what truly matters. A great campus is one thing, but it’s the people that are the cornerstone of Cornerstone.
“We are blessed by the leadership of Headmaster Colin Creel, an exemplary faculty, students that love to learn and supportive families that believe in the value of a Christian education,” Crawford stressed. “In my role, I can understand how new facilities might draw more people to Cornerstone, but this new look still isn’t as beautiful as the relationships that God has planned for the Cornerstone community.”
For more information about Cornerstone’s history in the community, and about current happenings at the school, head over to cornerstonecougars.org.
The 2024-2025 school year has brought exciting extracurricular additions to the International Charter Academy of Georgia (ICAGeorgia), with the launch of new cross country and track programs.
Intended for upper-elementary and middle school students in grades 4-6, the new programs were started by Coach Shawn Nix, who joined the ICAGeorgia staff this fall. She comes to the school with 17 years of teaching experience in the Gwinnett County School System and 13 years of coaching experience. She was named Gwinnett County Coach of the Year twice during her tenure there.
Nix said that her goal in creating the cross country and track programs at ICAGeorgia was to “give students an introduction to cross country, teach them the value of teamwork and cultivate the future generation of runners.”
“The parents are thrilled about the addition of the cross country program,” she added. “They’ve expressed their excitement to me, and they are at practice and meets supporting the athletes.”
Cross country
Twenty-three academy students signed up for cross country this year, excited to be part of the inaugural team.
The season began on September 3 with the school’s first meet at Legacy Park in Decatur, where students competed in the one-mile dash against 210 other athletes from Atlanta area-schools.
Three of the school’s young athlete’s placed, with one sixth grader taking third in the girls division; another sixth grade student placing 24th in the boys division and one fourth grader placing 16th in the boys division.
They recently wrapped up the season on November 13 with a meet held at Midtown High School.
Though the season was short — most meets had already closed their entries by late August, and one meet was cancelled due to Hurricane Helene — the ICAGeorgia team was able to get in two good competitions and a lot of practice sessions.
Track season
According to Coach Nix, some students that were interested in cross country weren’t able to sign up for the team in time, but they’ve said they will be coming out for track in the spring. She’s expecting at least 20 students to join the team.
Track season begins in February, and the opening meet is scheduled for March 8at Lanier High School in Sugar Hill.
Upcoming track meets will feature the following events: long jump, triple jump, high jump, shot put, disc throw, 3200m, 1600m, 800m, 400m and 4×100, 400 and 800m relays.
Future plans
Following the success of the new cross country and track programs, Coach Nix shared that ICAGeorgia plans to offer more after-school sports in the near future.
“The sports we add will be gauged by an interest survey, keeping in mind the facilities we have,” she said. “But we would love to add basketball and soccer.”
For more about ICAGeorgia, visit them at internationalcharteracademy.org.
Good Samaritan Health Centers of Gwinnett (Good Samaritan Gwinnett) has received state authorization from the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC) to officially launch Access Academy, a private, certificate-granting, low-cost postsecondary education program targeting students of low-income and/or minority households who aspire to pursue careers in healthcare but may lack the financial means to attend traditional college programs.
Access Academy is designed to meet the needs of students from underserved communities, providing healthcare-specific training at a fraction of the cost, thanks to charitable donations and volunteer-based faculty support.
Access Academy will initially offer a five-month medical assistant certification program. Graduates of the program will be able to enter the workforce without the burden of student loans, directly benefiting their household income and financial well-being.
“We are thrilled to launch Access Academy and open the doors of opportunity for those who need it most,” said Shameka Allen, CEO of Good Samaritan Gwinnett. “Our mission has always been to support underserved communities, and now, with Access Academy, we can extend that impact by helping students earn their medical assistant certificates and get their start in healthcare.”
A history of mentoring and education
Good Samaritan Gwinnett has a rich history of educating undergraduate and graduate students in health sciences. Since 2012, the organization has mentored nearly 450 graduate students pursuing medical and dental professional degrees. The cost of precepting just one midlevel student for an average of 168 hours amounts to $10,038, reflecting the organization’s dedication to training and education.
Greg Lang, chief financial officer of Good Samaritan Gwinnett, spearheaded the efforts to secure state authorization and launch Access Academy.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see Access Academy come to life after months of planning and preparation,” Lang said. “Access Academy is not just providing training — it’s offering hope, opportunity and the support needed to turn dreams into reality.”
An ongoing mission
The launch of Access Academy is part of Good Samaritan Gwinnett’s ongoing mission to expand its reach and make healthcare more accessible, both by providing direct patient care and by equipping future healthcare professionals with the skills they need to succeed. Since Good Samaritan Gwinnett’s inception in 2005, more than 52,300 patients have entered the clinic more than 300,000 times.
For more information about Access Academy, visit them at goodsamgwinnett.org/access-academy or email Greg Lang at Greg.Lang@goodsamgwinnett.org.
Pinecrest Academy, a private preK3–12 Catholic school serving north metro Atlanta, has once again been named to the College Board’s Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) School Honor Roll, earning Platinum distinction.
The AP® School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while also broadening access. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit and maximizing college readiness.
“We are so honored to have received this AP Honor Roll Award, as we strive each year to provide every student with a college preparatory experience, which includes the successful completion of challenging AP courses,” commented Amy Bowman, Pinecrest Academy high school principal. “The Platinum designation from AP speaks to the excellence that our faculty strives for in delivering challenging content that prepares our students for college.”
The numbers
During the 2023-2024 school year, Pinecrest had 89% of seniors taking at least one AP exam during high school, 82% of seniors scoring a three or higher on at least one AP exam and 58% who took five or more AP exams. Twenty-one AP courses were offered, representing 30 sections taught by 12 high school teachers at the school.
“Our Class of 2024 earned a 100% acceptance into the college/university of their choice,” Bowman said. “Since the school’s first graduating class of 2007, Pinecrest’s high school has maintained a 100% graduation rate every year.”
AP Access Award
Pinecrest Academy was also awarded the AP Access Award this year. Schools on the AP School Honor Roll may earn the AP Access Award, which recognizes schools that demonstrate a clear and effective commitment to equitable access to advanced coursework.
“AP represents an opportunity for students to stand out to colleges, earn college credit and placement and potentially boost their grade point averages,” said Trevor Packer, head of the AP program. “The schools have shown that they can expand access to these college-level courses and still drive high performance — they represent the best of our AP program.”
For more information, visit pinecrestacademy.org.
For more about the Advanced Placement® Program, visit ap.collegeboard.org.
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