Articles - Spotlight on Education

Tattnall Square Academy

By Jennifer Robinson

Tattnall Square Academy typifies a well-rounded school of excellence. Even more importantly to many, the school has retained its strong Christian roots since it was founded in 1969 by Tattnall Square Baptist Church. At the same time, the institution has remained at the forefront of quality education in Middle Georgia. 

Tattnall Square’s curriculum is only the beginning of its distinguished Christian education. The school serves 850 students in grades K4-12 and has a progressively lower student-teacher ratio as grade decreases, with a 22:1 ratio in grades 7-12, down to a 15:1 ratio at preschool level. Tattnall Square offers honors and AP courses to the higher grades and boasts a curriculum that is considered college-preparatory in its entirety. In fact, every senior in the Class of 2003 was accepted at a college or university. The whole academic curriculum—not only its Christian ethics unit requirement—seeks to spur students on toward lifelong, Christ-centered scholarship.

At all grade levels, Tattnall Square’s 74 dedicated faculty members make themselves very accessible, and all are certified teachers who are hired under the agreement that they will "practice and promote Christian doctrine." With Headmaster Barney Hester as their leader, instructors seek to encourage the growth of students’ minds as well as their souls and bodies.

"Faculty and staff, by precepts and examples, strive to teach each student the importance of integrating personal faith and academic discipline," says Lynne Adams, Tattnall Square’s director of admissions and development.

Adams 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, Adams explains.

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 world. The school’s emphasis on service prepares Academy students as young as elementary age to face a world of diversity and difficulties.

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 2003 holiday season for Tattnall students will be their organized support of the local Kids Yule Love on December 12. 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.

Besides academics and community service, sports are another area in which the Academy experiences success and exerts influence. Recent championships at both regional and state level show that the school’s baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, and track programs are all solid. Also, students’ accomplishments in the areas of debate, drama, and literature are evident through their recent award-winning achievements at the regional and state level. Tattnall Square Academy’s debate team is busy competing and winning tournaments and speaker points, and its one act play, Godspell placed second at region and is going on to compete at the state-level competition.

Tattnall Square’s high expectations for its students once they are attending the Academy are reflected in the school’s high standards for both student and teacher selection. Once admitted to the school, the mind, body, and spirit of each student is driven toward personal excellence, which means, for Tattnall students, that their attentions are often directed outward toward the surrounding world in need. £


Tattnall Square Academy
111 Trojan Trail
Macon, Georgia 31210

(478) 477-6760



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