Education
Stripling Elementary Takes Next Steps to Grow STEM Education
“Today marks a significant milestone for Stripling Elementary School in our journey toward fostering curiosity and exploration in the hearts and minds of our young learners,” said Principal Molly McAuliffe as she gathered with staff, students, parents and community members. The occasion marked the launch of the Stripling STEM Garden on Thursday, March 21.
“We embark on an exciting adventure that aligns perfectly with our vision, mission and beliefs. Our vision is clear. We aim to cultivate responsible, empathetic and driven world-class leaders,” she said.
“This garden will serve as a tangible expression of these aspirations. It will provide our students with opportunities to develop the skills and qualities necessary to thrive in an ever-changing world through hands-on experiences in science, technology, engineering and math,” she stated.
“They will learn not only academic concepts but also the importance of responsibility, empathy and drive and become the leaders of tomorrow,” McAuliffe added.
Celebrating the STEM garden
Over the summer, McAuliffe and her team of educators decided to pursue STEM certification, a five-year process that teaches the school to use an integrated curriculum driven by exploratory project-based learning and student-centered development of ideas and solutions.
“At the heart of our mission is the commitment to develop literate student citizens who are effective communicators, critical thinkers, innovative problem solvers and productive members of society,” said McAuliffe.
“This STEM garden embodies our dedication to this mission by providing a dynamic environment where students can collaborate, communicate and think critically as they engage in authentic real-world challenges,” she eloquently stated.
What it means to be STEM-certified
Fourth-grade student Anissa Rodriguez welcomed guests to the ceremony and talked about how STEM has already changed her perception of education.
“I really like STEM because you get to build fun solutions for problems in the world,” she said.
“Last year, in third grade, me and my class did a project where we had to save the animals in Australia from all the wildfires. I liked this project because it helped me build my collaboration and it made me feel like I was doing something important in the world,” she beamed.
And she also shared the enthusiasm just about every student has for the new garden.
“I am also really excited about our school garden … because I will be learning skills through STEM that will help me learn how to garden so that way I can help my grandma with her garden,” she said to chuckles from the crowd.
“It will also help me learn more skills on how to collect data that will impact our next steps. I can’t wait to get my hands dirty with the other students at Stripling Elementary and make positive changes in our community,” she explained.
Building education together
The garden is planned as a true community effort.
“Starting in April, we’re going to have a community workday to help us build the garden beds, and then we’re going to plan pollinator plants,” said Rebecca Phillips, the school’s STEM coordinator.
The school hopes to donate produce to food assistance programs and allow students to take home food.
“We’re going to open the garden during the summers [and allow] families to adopt the garden for a week,” said Phillips. “They can take care of it, and they get to keep the vegetables that grow here.”
The Great Georgia Pollinator Census
Additionally, Stripling will participate in the Great Georgia Pollinator Census, a program designed to educate people about the kinds of insects in the world and how to identify useful insects from pests.
Stripling’s STEM focus will be on agriculture, so the garden and all the lessons surrounding it fit right in with the curriculum, said Phillips.
But to be successful, the school needs the community’s help. The Rotary Club of Peachtree Corners has already donated $5,000, and the Norcross Garden Club has signed on as an advisor.
How to get involved
Community members who are interested in supporting Stripling’s STEM initiative can donate directly to Stripling Elementary School via check.
“We have a STEM account we are using to support supplies for STEM education, including our garden,” said McAuliffe.
Businesses can also donate directly to the school for the STEM initiative either financially or with supplies.
To donate supplies, contact STEM Coordinator Rebecca Phillips at rebecca.phillips@gcpsk12.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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