Articles - Spotlight on Education 

Tattnall Square Academy

 “Educating Young Minds of Today for the Challenges of Tomorrow”

 (August 1, 2006) As Tattnall Square Academy begins its 37th year of providing a quality education in a Christian environment, its continued dedication to excellence is evident in every aspect of the school. Founded in 1969 by Tattnall Square Baptist Church, the Academy is dually accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS), and it maintains its membership in the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA).

      Students benefit from certified faculty members who teach in state of the art facilities. The recently renovated campus houses a new athletic complex/field house, an additional gymnasium, five technology labs, two fully equipped art labs, and an elementary science lab as well as spacious classrooms and athletic fields. Tattnall Square Academy serves 800 students in grades Pre-Kindergarten–12 and is committed to low student-teacher ratios at each grade level with a 22:1 ratio in grades 7-12, down to a 15:1 ratio at the preschool level.

     The Academy’s challenging curriculum prepares students for academic success in elementary, middle, and high school.  Most importantly, the Tattnall Square Academy graduate is equipped for course work at the university level and beyond.  Honors, Advanced Placement, and Joint Enrollment courses are important components of this college-preparatory curriculum. In fact, every graduate in the Class of 2006 was accepted at a college or university. The school-wide academic curriculum’s goal is to spur students on toward lifelong, Christ-centered scholarship.
     At all grade levels, Tattnall Square’s 74 certified faculty members make themselves accessible to parents and students.  Barney Hester, Headmaster, leads the school’s constituency through example in encouraging the growth of students.  Hester says the Academy “seeks to complement its academic purpose with an emphasis on the spiritual, physical, and social development of its students” through promoting student involvement in a wide variety of services and activities. These programs all serve to “impart a vision of worldwide Christian community and a sense of responsibility to equip [themselves] and others for effective service” in the world.
      Students at Tattnall Square must complete a certain number of community service hours before graduating—one of the many ways the school ensures that students learn the value of serving and giving before they enter college and the work force. The school’s emphasis on service prepares Academy students as young as elementary age to face a diverse world.
      Community-based humanitarian organizations frequently enjoy the helping hands of Tattnall Square students. Elementary students take part in a math-a-thon to support St. Jude’s Cancer Research, and all students can take part in food and clothing drives for organizations such as the Salvation Army and Humane Society. The highlight of the 2006 Christmas season for Tattnall students will be their organized support of the local Kids Yule Love on December 8.  The Academy has been recognized as the largest contributor to the Kids Yule Love Program in Middle Georgia.  In addition, the school provides support and services for day camps for disabled children, and members of the Tattnall Square community also volunteer for the Special Olympics, as well as for a host of other community service opportunities. The school is generous with its facilities, opening up its gym to churches and its practice fields to sports teams.
     In addition to academics and community service, sports are another area in which the Academy experiences success. Recent championships at both regional and state levels show that the school’s baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, and track programs are all solid. Also, students’ accomplishments in the areas of band, dance team, debate, drama, and literature are evident through their recent award-winning achievements at the regional and state level.   Math and quiz bowl teams complete a full range of award winning academic competitions.

      Tattnall Square Academy sets high expectations and standards for its students and faculty.  The Academy’s ability to nurture students academically, spiritually, and physically is reflected in alumni who have gone on to achieve personal success and change our world for the better.

 

Tattnall Square Academy, 111 Trojan Trail, Macon, Georgia 31210, (478) 477-6760, fax (478)474-7887, www.tattnall.org