Education
How Wesleyan School Found Its Peachtree Corners Home
Wesleyan School has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the Sandy Springs United Methodist Church on Mt. Vernon Highway. Now occupying 85 beautiful acres in the heart of Peachtree Corners, Wesleyan consists of approximately a dozen buildings, a beautifully manicured courtyard, and a plethora of sports fields, courts and stadiums.
The early years
Founded in 1963 by the name Wesleyan Day School, the institution began as a preschool dedicated to providing a nurturing, Christian environment for children. In the following 24 years, the school continued to expand its offerings, and by the time they began to offer high school classes in 1994, it was apparent that the school was rapidly outgrowing its home at the church. Thus, the search commenced to find a new location in earnest.
From 1988 until her retirement, the school had been under the leadership of Head of School Barbara Adler, a former Wesleyan parent, teacher and assistant head who envisioned Wesleyan’s future as a college-preparatory Christian school for children from kindergarten through 12th grade. To make this vision a reality, the organization would need to find a new home.
In January 1995, the school approached the leadership at the Sandy Springs United Methodist Church and proposed a radical idea: they would put all their efforts into finding a new home by January 1, 1996, or they would forget about the move entirely. The pressure was on.
During this time real estate in the area was at a premium due to the impending Olympics and land was hard to come by. Additionally, there was the issue of zoning, as the majority of properties would need to go through an extensive rezoning process to be suitable for a school, which could jeopardize their tenuous timeline.
Searching for new home
Local commercial real estate agent and Wesleyan parent Rob Binion joined the board in 1995 and began discussing the issue of finding a new home with Chairman Raymond Walker. Binion worked in Peachtree Corners and was regularly commuting to the area. One day while walking through a nearby parking lot, he ran into a friend of his, Dan Cowart.
Jim Cowart, Dan’s father, was a developer and philanthropist who is credited as the man who brought the vision of Peachtree Corners to life. He was responsible for establishing a number of neighborhoods in the late 1970s, including Chattahoochee Station, Spalding Corners, Peachtree Station, Revington, Linfield and Amberfield. Later, Dan continued that legacy by developing Riverfield and Wellington Lake.
In the mid 1990s, Dan had acquired a 53-acre undeveloped office park just off Spalding Drive. He had a vision: he wanted to build a school there. But without any students, teachers or concrete resources with which to make that a reality, it was only an idea. When Dan ran into Rob Binion in the parking lot that fateful day and the topic of finding a home for Wesleyan came up, the two began to seriously discuss the possibility of moving the school to Peachtree Corners.
“Back then, 25 or 30 years ago, they didn’t know where Peachtree Corners was,” Binion recalled discussing the idea with Wesleyan’s board. “I told Raymond Walker and he said ‘No, Rob, let’s not talk about it. That’s not going to happen.’”
However, despite his hesitation, the increasing pressure of their timeline began to worry Walker and the Wesleyan Board. As fate would have it, Walker’s son happened to play on the same football team as Cowart’s son, and Binion recalls that over the course of that August the two fathers would sit together and discuss this tract of land every week at practice. Eventually the idea began to solidify as a real possibility.
“Raymond was finally convinced that this was what God wanted Wesleyan to do,” said Binion.
“And so Wesleyan, the school over in Sandy Springs, had this plan about what we were going to do, and then God said no, you’re moving to Peachtree Corners and you’re going to make this work. We had no money, we had no idea how we were going to do it.”
Change in leadership
At the time, the board was also contending with the impending retirement of headmaster Barbara Adler, so they had to come up with a plan to make this move happen, find a replacement headmaster, establish some sort of facility at the new site and also convince all the parents that it would be worthwhile to commute to Peachtree Corners.
Fortune struck when they hired Zach Young as headmaster. Young, a graduate of the University of Virginia and Harvard University and the former Vice President and Assistant Headmaster at The Westminster Schools, was a master of fundraising. “He said ‘Y’all are a great group of real estate brokers, you’ve shown that, but how are you going to pay for it and how are you going to run it?’ We all looked at him and said ‘Well, that’s what we would hire you to do,’” Binion said.
The board brought him to Peachtree Corners to educate him on the area and show him all the development that was happening there. Young insightfully pointed out that this move would only be successful if the community bought into the school as much as the school bought into Peachtree Corners.
“He was convinced that it could happen, but he said, ‘It won’t happen unless God wants it to happen,’” Binion continued.
With the hard work of the dedicated board, the leadership of headmaster Young — and by the grace of God — Wesleyan officially broke ground at its new home in Peachtree Corners 25 years ago in the fall of 1996. That year, 556 students attended classes in 15 modular classrooms, one soccer field and the Marchman Gymnasium, Wesleyan’s first building.
Today, the school has developed into a beautiful campus with an enrollment of nearly 1,200 students. Current Head of School Chris Cleveland said that he hopes the school is a place that draws families and businesses to Peachtree Corners.
“It would be our desire that the Wesleyan School would be viewed as a business, a ministry that makes Peachtree Corners better, and that we are leaving Peachtree Corners better than it would be if we were not here,” he said. “We are all-in on the city of Peachtree Corners, it’s really a great place.
The Norcross High School drama department has a reputation for presenting quality productions each year, and 2024-2025 is no exception. They staged a one-act show of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” in October followed by “Miss Nelson is Missing” in January. Next up for NHS Theatre is Matilda the Musical, set to open in April.
Leading the department this year is NHS’ new theatre director, Terry Gabbard, who came to Norcross with degrees in educational theatre and educational leadership, as well as over 20 years of public school theatre teaching and directing experience.
An award-winning director and playwright, he received the prestigious John W. Parker Award for excellence in directing in 2015, has had numerous productions named “distinguished play” from the North Carolina Theatre Conference and has three Best Musical wins from the Blumey Awards (Charlotte, NC’s version of the Tony awards).
Gabbard has also published two plays, one of which, “Our Place,” was named one of the top ten most produced short plays in American high schools.
Additionally, in 2020, his production of “Puffs” (a clever and comedic play set in the world of Harry Potter) was selected as one of only a handful of productions in America to perform at the International Thespian Society festival.
Though busy with preparations for Matilda, Gabbard recently took the time to answer a few questions about his career, his love of theatre and what’s next for the NHS drama department.
Which productions have you worked on since joining NHS?
We started off performing The Legend of Sleepy Hollow in October, and we did a performance of Miss Nelson is Missing in January.
Where did you teach and direct before coming to Norcross?
I always explain that my wife supports my teaching habit, so we tend to move as her opportunities change.
I’ve taught mostly in high schools in Florida, North Carolina and now Georgia. I have taught in Gwinnett Public Schools before at Paul Duke STEM and in Cobb County at Campbell High School.
How did the move to NHS come about?
After leaving GCPS for a short few years, I was anxious to get back to this system and this community, and when this opportunity presented itself, I jumped at the chance.
Have you always had a love for theatre?
I started participating in theatre when I was in 9th grade and have never stopped. For me, the thing that drew me to the art form was the sense of community that theatre creates.
What led you to pursue a career teaching and directing? Was there a specific moment that you realized it was what you wanted to do?
When I was a senior in high school, my theatre director let me direct a play in his theatre [for] one class. This is when I realized how much I loved directing and coaching other actors.
What was it like to win the John W. Parker award in 2015? And to be recognized with so many other honors?
I have been blessed to have been recognized several times by my peers and the organizations I’ve partnered with. It’s always nice to have these recognitions, but I have come to believe that any high school theatre production is a miracle in and of itself.
Producing theatre in high schools is always a challenge and getting to opening night is always a huge accomplishment.
Will you continue playwriting in addition to your work as NHS theatre director?
I haven’t written any plays in some time, but I’m definitely starting to get the itch. All of my plays have premiered at the schools where I was teaching. I imagine a world premier will happen at Norcross pretty soon.
What can you share about the school’s upcoming Matilda the Musical production? Is it one that you’ve directed in the past?
I have never directed Matilda, and I am extremely excited for the challenge. The music is incredible, and the characters are big and over the top.
What plans do you have for the NHS theatre program for the remainder of this year and next year?
After Matilda, things wrap up for us. I haven’t yet decided what shows to tackle next year. I know that I want to find plays that have a different tone than the pieces we did this year. The shows have been comedic this year. Something more dramatic is definitely in our future.
The NHS production of Matilda the Musical opens in April.
Dates and show times are:
- Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m.
- Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 26 at 7 p.m.
- Sunday, April 27 at 2 p.m.
For more information, visit nhs-drama.com.
The investment will transform the campus and elevate student experiences
Greater Atlanta Christian School (GAC) has announced an investment of over $30 million in facilities and program improvements at GAC, made possible through the Light the Way Campaign, a visionary initiative designed to elevate the educational experience for generations of students.
This transformative campaign will fund a dozen renovation and building projects that reflect GAC’s commitment to preparing students for success in an ever-changing world while deepening the school’s strong Christian foundation. The school recently shared details about some of the program’s key projects.
The Tidwell Commons
At the heart of the campaign is the Jim & Julie Tidwell Commons, a dynamic hub for middle and high school students to gather, collaborate and innovate.
The Tidwell Commons will feature a new student-run coffee shop and bistro, the new Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program, a creative media production studio and modern academic spaces, including an enhanced library and academic support areas. The space will also be home to Christian Life and Missions, providing a cornerstone for nurturing faith and spiritual growth within the GAC community.
“The Tidwell Commons will be more than a facility; it will serve as a hub where ideas come to life, equipping students with real-world skills in business, innovation and creativity,” said Dr. Paul Cable, GAC’s high school principal.
The Combee Elementary Complex
The Jim & Becky Combee Elementary Complex will undergo a complete redesign to better support the needs of today’s students. Renovations will include flexible, modern classrooms, enhanced STEM and outdoor learning spaces and a state-of-the-art engineering, science and design lab.
“This renovation will not only modernize the Combee Elementary Complex but will also create an inspiring and secure environment where our younger learners can thrive and grow, reflecting our commitment to excellence in education and student well-being,” said Rhonda Helms, lower school principal.
Athletic improvements
The campaign also includes a new Athletic Field House to support GAC’s soccer, tennis, baseball, softball and girls flag football programs. Featuring locker rooms, training and meeting spaces and upgraded amenities, it will serve as a modern space for game-day operations and practices.
“This is a premier facility that will allow our athletes to compete at the highest level,” shared Athletic Director Tim Hardy.
In addition to the Field House, GAC is renovating and doubling the space in the Naik Athletic Training Center, further strengthening one of the top performance training programs in the state.
“Our performance training program is among the best in Georgia, and these upgrades will align our facilities with the excellence of our programming,” Hardy said.
The expanded training center will feature state-of-the-art performance training equipment, a dedicated speed and agility area and a new recovery suite.
“This space will give our athletes the tools they need to recover efficiently and perform at their peak,” he added.
Wood Family Treehouse
Additionally, the new Wood Family Treehouse and Canopy Walk, which was completed last month, will inspire and elevate students’ outdoor learning experiences for years to come.
Designed as a versatile hub for group learning, hands-on activities and after-school programs, the Treehouse is an exciting space for educational growth, exploration and team-building. It’s a place where students can connect with nature, develop new skills and deepen their love for the outdoors.
An investment in the future
This investment campaign is about more than just buildings though; each project focuses on today’s students as well as future generations, ensuring that GAC remains a beacon of excellence with a foundation of faith for years to come.
Through the Light the Way Campaign, students will benefit from improvements in academics, athletics, the arts, community and Christian faith.
About Greater Atlanta Christian School
Greater Atlanta Christian (GAC) is one of Atlanta’s largest Christian schools, serving over 1,800 PK-12 students. The walkable 90-acre campus is located in Norcross, just off of I-85 and Indian Trail Road.
GAC provides an array of in-person, online and hybrid options with over 65 STEM courses, 30 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dual college credit courses and personalized and project-based learning.
In addition to forward thinking innovation, GAC students benefit from caring, responsive teaching and small class sizes.
GAC is a faith-infused, academically rich community, ranking at the top of the state for teaching quality, arts and athletics.
For more information, visit greateratlantachristian.org.
Since the opening of the International Charter Academy of Georgia (ICAGeorgia) in 2018, their students have been immersed in Japanese language and culture, including starting each new year (osho-gatsu) — Japan’s most important holiday — with two traditional rituals: Kakizome (New Year Japanese calligraphy) and Mochitsuki (New Year rice pounding).
This year, the students at the K-6 dual-language school in Peachtree Corners, gathered in the gym to practice and demonstrate their growing calligraphy skills and again outdoors a couple of weeks later for the physical fun of mochitsuki.
Kakizome
Literally translated as “first writing,” kakizome is a form of artistic calligraphy of the Japanese language that’s done at the start of each year to express hopes and positive wishes for the year ahead. Using traditional calligraphy brushes and ink, and often expressed through poetry, New Year’s resolutions or an auspicious word, kakizome is a special time to clear your mind and focus on the brush strokes.
According to a press release from the school, for ICAGeorgia’s kakizome event, each student, including the youngest kindergartners, used a traditional brush (ふで) and ink (すみ) to write a Japanese word of their choice — for example, “新年 (new year)” “元日 (New Years Day)” or “もち (mochi).”And, because 2025 is the Year of the Snake in the lunar calendar, 巳 (snake) was included in the word selection.
Mochitsuki
“In Japan, people make ‘mochi’ or pounded rice to celebrate the New Year,” shared Junko Jones, CFO of ICAGeorgia. “Mochi is sticky, so people eat it to help them ‘stick’ with their goals for the year — and they do it with family, friends and people in the community who they would like to ‘stick’ together [with]. Mochi can also be used as a decoration for New Year’s celebrations.”
Pounding the sticky rice into mochi with a wooden mallet is hard work, but the celebration is also one of Japan’s most fun (and popular) traditions.
For the school’s mochitsuki event, each student had an opportunity to pound and taste the mochi rice. All of the ingredients were donated by ICAGeorgia parents, and the mochi rice was cooked by ICAGeorgia parent volunteers on the day of the event — making it true school community celebration.
After pounding the rice, students, staff and volunteers enjoyed delicious rice cakes (omochi) together, welcoming the new year and looking forward to a happy and successful 2025.
About ICAGeorgia
The International Charter Academy of Georgia offers a dual language immersion program in English and Japanese, allowing students to learn both languages through a variety of subjects, including math, science, social studies, art, music and physical education. Japanese instruction is based on the Japanese Ministry of Education curriculum, and teachers collaborate across departments.
The school’s mission is “to broaden the horizons of students in Georgia so that they may become global citizens who promote peace throughout the world.” This is achieved not only through language learning, but also through cultural activities. But the best way to promote peace and understanding is through interactions among the students themselves, who make up an extremely diverse community.
For more information, visit internationalcharteracademy.org.
Photos courtesy of ICAGeorgia.
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