Around the twists and turns of Calvin Drive in Macon, over the crest of a hill, sits a lovely campus that looks more like college grounds than a Pre-K through 12^th grade day school. The attention to detail, loving care, and pride that have gone into creating this 31 year old school is obvious from the moment you set eyes on the 50-acre campus.

In 1967, under the leadership of Dr. John Richards, then pastor of Macon’s First Presbyterian Church, a long-range planning committee visualized the creation of a Christ-centered, college preparatory school to serve the Middle Georgia area. With the congregation’s approval, a capital campaign began, buildings and land were donated, and the school was born. In the fall of 1970, with a staff and faculty of eleven, 205 students enrolled in 5K through 8^th grades.

That vision has grown from facilities worth $185,000 to facilities worth over $13 million today. Within the past three years, a new gymnasium, field house, fine arts center (which includes a 500-seat performing arts theatre), and administration building have been built. The faculty and staff of eleven now consist of 100, with all teachers meeting certification requirements of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The number of students has more than quadrupled, with 875 attending Pre-K through 12^th grades today.

"To educate and equip children to change the world for God’s Glory," is First Presbyterian Day School’s vision statement. One only needs to look at the dedication of the faculty to understand how they apply that statement on a daily basis. Teachers are committed to keeping up with the changing face of education. It is not unusual to see a class of first graders on computers viewing panda bears at the San Diego Zoo or learning about the Great Wall of China; third graders working in a cooperative group visiting weather web sites and acting as "storm chasers;" fifth graders developing PowerPoint presentations on the women of the Revolutionary War; or middle and high school students visiting the outdoor science center on campus to study wetland habitats and taking samples for experiments.

Staff interact with the students on a one-to-one basis. The school chaplain, Ken Gross, waves "goodbye" to each high school student as they drive away from campus; and David Walton, the elementary school principal, knows each of his students’ family car by sight and calls the child by name to

catch their ride home from school. Other members of the staff walk through the halls interacting with the students in a warm and familial manner.

An essential part of what makes First Presbyterian Day School work is the parents. Patsy Fountain, Director of Admissions,

says parents "can be as involved as they want to be – from baking cookies, to working concessions, to working in the classrooms. Our parents always rise to the occasion." One such occasion was when new playground equipment was needed for the elementary school. The parents were asked to raise half of the $8,000 necessary for the purchase of the equipment. Within three days, the $4,000 was available and the equipment will soon be installed. Another example of how the parents make a difference is on a recent Friday night, before the "big rival" football game, tailgate parties were held all over the campus. Although the Vikings did not win the game, there was no doubt that they had 100% support from their school family.

The students do their part as well. Not only are they involved in the many sports and fine arts programs available at the school—garnering more than their share of awards; but the academic level they attain is above the national average. The middle school and high school students are offered Honors and Advanced Placement classes in the language arts, history, science, math, and three foreign languages, and continue to raise the standard every year. As they say, "the proof is in the pudding:" over $1 million in scholarships and grants were offered to the Class of 2001 and 100% of the 54 graduates are attending colleges or universities.

"We feel like family," says Ms. Fountain, and that attitude is evident throughout the entire school population. First Presbyterian Day School’s desire to "become the most respected Christian college preparatory school in America" may seem like an impossible goal. However, looking at the transformation the school has made over the past 31 years, it is evident that this "family" is capable of impossible things.

First Presbyterian Day School
5671 Calvin Drive
Macon, Georgia 31210
478/477-6505