Walking through the grounds of Wesleyan School, it feels more like stepping onto a college campus. For those unfamiliar with the school, it may be surprising to learn that Wesleyan is actually a K-12 private college-preparatory nondenominational Christian school with an enrollment of 1,171 students.
Chris Cleveland, who has served as Head of School for nearly 20 years, describes Wesleyan as many do — a family. The Wesleyan family is made up of teachers, community members and, of course, students and their families.
The Binion family
Rob Binion and his wife Cathy had been sending their children to Wesleyan since 1990 when their eldest was only 3 years old. Back then, they were living in Roswell and commuting daily to Wesleyan. In 2002 they decided they would relocate to Peachtree Corners, followed shortly thereafter by Rob’s father and brothers.
“For us it became just…” said Rob. “Our home,” added Cathy, finishing his sentence. “It became our home,” continued Rob. “Even though I worked here, I’m not sure we would have ever moved here without Wesleyan moving here. It was just a perfect fit for Wesleyan in the beginning and has continued to be a good fit once the city was formed.”
The Binion children
Due to the spread of their children’s ages, Rob and Cathy Binion were Wesleyan parents for a total of 26 consecutive years. All of their kids are considered “Evergreen,” a term given to children who attend Wesleyan for all 13 years from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Today, Rob and Cathy are still active parts of the Wesleyan community. Rob is Vice Chairman of the board and served as Chairman for about 20 years. Cathy is the manager of the Spirit Shop, an on-campus store that offers Wesleyan merchandise, school supplies, snacks and even sells Starbucks and Chick-Fil-A. She has been managing the shop since 2015.
“I won’t leave; I know they wish we’d leave,” said Cathy with a laugh. Always an active volunteer, it was a natural fit for Cathy to run the Spirit Shop once her kids had all moved on from the school.
“It was a collaborative effort with my college roommate [Erika Laughlin] who is also on the board and acts as my mentor. She has owned a retail store in Buckhead for over 20 years,” she said. “When the concept came about to bring the store on campus and for the school to own it — it was always operated by a third party prior to that — it just seemed like it was a good fit.”
It’s not just material goods and munchies that can be found at the Spirit Shop. Cathy has also found herself in the position of being a sort of unofficial counselor and surrogate mother figure for the students who frequent the shop. She gets to know the kids and can provide unique insight into their home lives, offering yet another connection between the students and faculty that might otherwise go unnoticed in a traditional classroom setting.
Cathy described the Wesleyan experience and the immeasurable impact it has had on her life and that of her family. “It provides a cornerstone, not just for us but for the students and families. It is a community-centered, faith-filled, caring community that provides — in addition to those things — an incredible education. With all the things you see in the hard middle and high school years, at the end of the day, invariably, it produces an incredible young adult. It might have a lot of bumps in the road, but the seeds are planted really deeply.”
“When they will bloom, you just don’t know. But you know you’ve planted a seed. And you’ve shown them that somebody cares,” Cathy explained.
Isadora is a writer, photographer, and designer living in Avondale Estates, GA. She has worked in print for the past decade and has been published in the Atlanta INtown, Oz Magazine, Atlanta Senior Life, and the Reporter Newspapers.
The International Charter Academy of Georgia (ICAGeorgia) recently hosted its third annual Dining with the Scholars event on April 18 — an evening filled with celebration, culture and community spirit.
Held at Canton House in Duluth, the event welcomed over 200 attendees, including students, parents, teachers, board members, local sponsors and special guest, the Consul General of Japan.
Fundraising and performances
The purpose of the event was twofold: to raise funds in support of academic programs for the school and, most importantly, to honor and showcase the outstanding talents and achievements of ICAGeorgia students.
Dining with Scholars event; photo courtesy of ICAGeorgia
Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed a silent auction, dinner and dessert, as well as a vibrant lineup of student performances, a magic show and live music — creating a truly festive and memorable atmosphere.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the many local companies and organizations whose generous sponsorship made this event possible,” said Felecia Tucker-Jones, principal of ICAGeorgia. “[The] support helps us continue to grow and enhance our academic offerings.”
By all accounts, it was a night to remember — and a wonderful reminder of the strong, supportive community that surrounds the school.
Children’s Day Festival
On May 4, students, families and community members gathered at Thrasher Park in Norcross for a vibrant celebration of Children’s Day, a beloved Japanese holiday that honors children’s happiness, growth and well-being.
Japan’s Children’s Day Festival; photo courtesy of ICAGeorgia
The Japan’s Children’s Day Festival 2025 brought together over 1,000 attendees for a full day of music, crafts, food and cultural experiences.
Visitors of all ages enjoyed traditional Japanese activities such as origami, kingyo sukui (goldfish scooping) and kimono try-ons, while kids played in bounce houses, participated in golf and soccer games and listened to story time in the park.
The festival’s stage was alive with performances from school choirs, dance studios and even a thrilling showcase of breakdancing and karate. Local vendors offered delicious international food — from pizza, tacos and paella to boba and shaved ice — while guests explored artisan booths and even online shopping options.
Culture and community
This festival was a beautiful reflection of cultural pride and community spirit and partnerships, with ICAGeorgia, local small businesses and generous sponsors bringing the vision to life.
“We’re deeply grateful to all our sponsors, performers, volunteers and families who made the day so special,” said Jeremy Williams, president of the ICAGeorgia PTO.
As Norcross continues to grow as a hub for diverse cultural events, Japan’s Children’s Day Festival stands out as a joyful, family-focused experience with the goal of continuing for years to come.
Follow Japan’s Children’s Day Festival (@JapansChildrensDayFestival) on Instagram and Facebook, and stay tuned for next year’s exciting event.
About ICAGeorgia
The International Charter Academy of Georgia is a statewide charter school available free of charge to any K–6 student residing in Georgia.
Located in Peachtree Corners, the school offers a dual language immersion program in both English and Japanese, a rigorous standards-based curriculum, extracurricular activities and multiple opportunities throughout the year to engage in cross-cultural community.
Simpson Elementary School celebrated Exceptional Children’s Week (ECW) last month with five days of special activities to recognize their special needs population and all of their exceptional students.
April 14–18 is set aside each year to celebrate children with disabilities, gifts and talents. This year’s ECW theme was Bridging Gaps and Building Futures, and the school was happy to take part.
They highlighted each day of the week on the morning news with fun facts about notable people in society — and throughout history — who have overcome challenges with their disabilities, including actor Daniel Radcliffe (who has lived with dyspraxia for his entire life), Tom Cruise, Whoopi Goldberg, Frida Kahlo and Helen Keller.
Simpson Elementary’s technology team also pre-recorded various special needs classes reciting the Pledge of Allegiance every day of the week.
Guest speaker
To end their ECW with a bang, they invited former Simpson Elementary parent, State Representative Scott Hilton, to come in and speak to their K-2 classes about raising his son, Chase (who is autistic and now a student at Norcross High School), and how being different is okay.
“Showing kindness and being inclusive is the best version of humanity,” said Dr. Taffeta Connery, Simpson Elementary School principal, in a statement about the event.
“Simpson Elementary has a special needs population of 214 (23%) of 946 students. [And] … we strive to ensure that our students are valued, recognized and instilled with high expectations for all.”
Cobb Global Outreach Inc. (CGO Inc.), a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing financial literacy and educational opportunities, recently awarded three scholarships to metro Atlanta high school seniors, including one to Paul Duke STEM student, Baylor M. Brown.
The scholarship initiative underscores CGO Inc.’s commitment to empowering youth through financial education and support.
According to CGO’s social media pages, these outstanding students have shown incredible dedication and resilience in their academic journeys. “We are proud to support their continued success and look forward to seeing all that they will achieve!”
Scholarship details and impact
The scholarships provided by CGO Inc. are designed to alleviate financial barriers and encourage academic excellence among students pursuing higher education. Each scholarship recipient will receive financial assistance to support their educational endeavors, along with resources to enhance their understanding of financial management and literacy.
The scholarship recipients have demonstrated remarkable potential and a strong commitment to making a positive impact in their local community and beyond.
Bobby Cobb, CEO and founder of Cobb Global Outreach Inc., expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are honored to support the students … . By investing in their education and financial literacy, we aim to equip them with the skills necessary for a successful and financially secure future.”
Looking ahead
Cobb Global Outreach Inc. remains committed to expanding its scholarship programs and financial literacy initiatives. The organization plans to collaborate with additional schools and community partners to further its mission of closing the wealth gap and fostering economic empowerment among youth.
About Cobb Global Outreach Inc.
Founded in January 2021, Cobb Global Outreach Inc. is dedicated to educating middle and high school students about financial literacy. The organization believes that providing students with tools and resources related to financial literacy will help narrow the wealth gap and promote economic empowerment.