Oh, The Places You’ll Go! | 2021 Graduation

Another class of seniors have completed their time at Atlanta Classical Academy and are moving on to pursue exciting opportunities. This year’s seniors worked diligently in their college searches and ultimately earned $3.8M in merit-based aid. Below is a list of each college or university to which students in the Class of 2021 have been accepted.

 

Albany State University

Arizona State University-Tempe

Auburn University

Belmont University

Boston College

Boston University

Christopher Newport University

Clark Atlanta University

Clayton State University

Clemson University

College of Charleston

College of Coastal Georgia

College of the Holy Cross

College of Wooster

Columbia University in the City of New York

Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

Florida State University

Fordham University

Fort Valley State University

Furman University

Gardner-Webb University

George Washington University

Georgia College & State University

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Georgia Southern University

Georgia State University

Hobart William Smith Colleges

Jacksonville University

Kennesaw State University

Kenyon College

Louisiana State University

Miami University-Oxford

Middle Tennessee State University

Mississippi State University

The New School

North Carolina Central University

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rollins College

Savannah State University

Shorter University

Southern Methodist University

St. Thomas University (FL)

Temple University

Texas Christian University

Tulane University of Louisiana

Tuskegee University

Union College (NY)

University of Alabama

University of Arizona

University of California-Davis

University of Georgia

University of Kentucky

University of Louisville

University of Mississippi

University of North Georgia

University of Tennessee-Knoxville

University of South Carolina-Columbia

University of West Georgia

University of Wyoming

Valdosta State University

Western Carolina University

Xavier University of Louisiana

Young Harris College

Varsity Girls Soccer Wins State Championship!

After an exciting post-season run, the Girls Varsity Soccer team brought home Atlanta Classical Academy’s first State Championship title! They defeated Armuchee High School in the State Finals last Friday in a 4-0 shutout.

Head Coach Mr. Garrett Holt was named Region 6 Soccer Coach of the Year by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA).

Coach Holt reflected on the team’s incredible season:

“Even after best efforts and many creative innovations by our athletic department and coaches, our school athletic facilities consist of a frequently flooded soccer field, a gym that rivals Duke’s Cameron in proximity of fans to the court but is only large enough on which to play middle school games, a patch of turf used for elementary recess, and a weight room set-up that was modeled off of “The Longest Yard.” Despite all of this, despite having a third of our practices in the gym, despite frequent COVID-related problems, and despite having, on average, a student body that is half the size of its opponents, our little school brought home a state championship. 

The amount which the team grew and matured throughout the year was astounding. Each game they displayed improved technical skills as well as a more sound grasp of the tactical elements of the game. By the end of the season, watching them play was a joy with the way they moved the ball and dominated possession. They showed up every day confident, yet humble. After each loss they looked at themselves to see what they could improve instead of blaming teammates; I am fairly confident no one on the teams knows how many goals they scored. They were quick to applaud and praise the accolades of their teammates and deferential when praised themselves. Indeed, it is the way the team sacrificed for the mission which made them so effective.

Dubbed by our coaches as the “little team that could,” our girls persevered throughout the season, never complained, always improved, and continued to challenge themselves and their teammates. In the midst of a wild year, especially since we began while still virtual, having in-person practice with students was such a joy for myself and the other coaches. You would be hard-pressed to find a better, more joyful, caring, and respectful group of young women anywhere. They fully deserve this state title, and I am so proud of how they handled themselves throughout the season.” 

New SGA President Casts A Vision

ACA junior Kiki Bone was recently elected SGA president for the 2021-2022 school year. In her campaign speech, Kiki reflected on the strong community at Atlanta Classical, the camaraderie among her classmates, and how people and places form our character. Read her full speech below.

“What do you love about ACA?”

This was the question I asked myself and several of my classmates, and it is the question I would like you to consider as you listen.

I will now read you an excerpt from The Little Prince. Many of you will probably recognize it, as Mr. Clausen read it earlier this year. In this passage, the Prince meets a fox.

“It was then that the fox appeared. “Good morning,” said the fox. “Good morning,” the little prince responded politely, although when he turned around he saw nothing. “I am right here,” the voice said, “under the apple tree.” “Who are you?” asked the little prince, and added, “You are very pretty to look at.” “I am a fox,” the fox said. “Come and play with me,” proposed the little prince. “I am so unhappy.” “I cannot play with you,” the fox said. “I am not tamed.” “Ah! Please excuse me,” said the little prince. But, after some thought, he added: “What does that mean– ‘tame’?”

“It means to establish ties.” “‘To establish ties’?” (said the little prince). “Just that,” said the fox. “To me, you are still nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me…But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world… If you tame me, it will be as if the sun came to shine on my life. I shall know the sound of a step that will be different from all the others. Other steps send me hurrying back underneath the ground. Yours will call me, like music, out of my burrow. And then look: you see the grain-fields down yonder? I do not eat bread. Wheat is of no use to me. The wheat fields have nothing to say to me. And that is sad. But you have hair that is the color of gold. Think how wonderful that will be when you have tamed me! The grain, which is also golden, will bring me back the thought of you. And I shall love to listen to the wind in the wheat…”

I feel that this school, this place, has tamed me. I have inhabited this school for seven years, and this coming year will be my eighth. I have established ties with this landscape: the grass on the high school field, the stairs and path that bisect it, the concrete blocks in this cafeteria, the window that looks out to the gym in the middle school. These are the places I have been close to for years. Evidence of me is here: my name is in yearbooks, my picture too, posters I have made remain on the bulletin boards, and colored pencils in the art room are shorter because of me. My face and words are in the memories of my friends and teachers. Even when I graduate, when I leave this place, I will be tied to it. The very fiber of my being makes this true. The way I think, the way I talk, and the way I feel have been formed by my experience here. I have been educated by everything inside this campus, by teachers, by friends, by the walk to the high school building in the morning.

This is what it means to be a student at ACA. It means to be known. There is a certain closeness that is produced by our small number and the difficult material we learn. It makes us capable of acknowledging each other, of knowing that with each of my classmates, I can find good conversation and comfort. Each person is special and important, even if we are distant. This characteristic of familiarity is what makes the community worth cultivating.

I know this place, and it knows me. We are friends. I hope, when you come to the end of your time here, you can say the same. This is what I offer you as president. I want to mend the flaws and accentuate the good parts with you all. I want to help you think how wonderful it has been, now that you have been tamed.

Thank you, and that is all.

ACA Junior wins Colonial Dames Essay Contest

Lucy Respess, an ACA junior, was selected as a winner of the Colonial Dames national essay contest. She was tasked with writing on the following topic:

“The Electoral College was established in the U.S. Constitution as the election process for the President and Vice President. Support retaining the Electoral College, or propose and support another system to operate in its place.”

As a winner, she will get to spend a fully funded week in DC next summer at American University touring the Capitol and engaging in citizen education.

“Over the years, the history department at ACA has significantly shaped my understanding of the world around me,” Lucy said. “As a hopeful political science major, I thought that entering the NSCDA national essay contest would be a wonderful way to directly expose myself to politics and policy. The question prompted me to write a concise essay either supporting the Electoral College or suggesting another system in its place. I chose to support the college, drawing upon the Federalist Papers, which we had recently studied in my American Government class. The structured discussions within both my government and American History classes greatly aided me in composing this essay. I am so thankful for the history department and the many ways in which it has inspired me to pursue a future in this discipline!”

Cavaliers Serve hosts inaugural Week of Service

Members of Atlanta Classical’s Key Club assist with donations during Sunday’s drive-through event.

Parent and student volunteers pack boxes of groceries in partnership with Atlanta Public School’s Operation Feed ATL.

Atlanta Classical Academy hosted our inaugural Week of Service last week, October 18-24. Organized by Student Government, Key Club, and PTCA volunteers together as a “Cavaliers Serve” group effort, the Week of Service featured a one-word “theme” each day informed by that day’s designated service project, which ranged from book donations to letter-writing. 

The PTCA, along with the Student Government and the Key Club, challenge each student to commit to 2 hours of service during this week-long event. We have outlined a theme for each day with suggested projects. The week kicked off on Sunday, October 18 as student and parent volunteers packed boxes full of groceries given by other school families in a drive-through donation event benefitting Operation Feed ATL earlier that day. 

Though Atlanta Classical remains completely virtual during this time, students and their families were able to feel connected to one another and to their community by taking part in the same acts of service across the city of Atlanta.

Students assisted with taking donations and packing boxes for Operation Feed ATL.

Atlanta Classical Rocketry Students Take it “Two the Limit”

Story and photos by Mr. Richter

This past Saturday, members of ACA’s Airplane and Model Rocketry Club attended a high power launch hosted by the Southern Area Rocketry Association.  Eight students ranging from fourth grade to twelfth grade attended, accompanied by several parents, grandparents, and Mr. Richter and Ms. Arrington.  Students launched “Two the Limit” model rockets they built last semester.   Students were delighted to see their rockets surpass club sponsor Miss Ham in height!

Younger students launched in a two-stage configuration using low-powered “E” motors, and flew to approximately 1500 feet.  Older students who have obtained their Jr. Level 1 certifications were able to launch using mid-powered “H” motors reaching heights of approximately 3500 feet!  Check out the H-motor launch here!

A new member of the club, 4th-grader Zelia Stewart (pictured below with her father and grandfather), constructed a rocket with fellow rookie Hayden Hardy.  Although Hayden was unable to attend the launch, he can be proud of the beautiful launch of their well-constructed rocket!  Here’s a short video of the launch.