Greater Atlanta Christian School is investing more than $30 million in facilities and program improvements.
A dozen renovation and building projects are being funded through the Light the Way Campaign, an initiative Greater Christian School (GAC) said in a news release is designed to elevate the educational experience for generations of students.
GAC said the Jim & Julie Tidwell Commons, a dynamic hub for middle and high school students to gather, collaborate, and innovate, is at the heart of the campaign. It will feature a new student-run coffee shop and bistro, the new Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program, and a Creative Media Production Studio.
Modern academic spaces in Tidwell Commons will include an enhanced library and academic support areas. The news release said it will house Christian Life and Missions, to provide a cornerstone for nurturing faith and spiritual growth within the GAC community.
“The Tidwell Commons will be more than a facility; it will serve as a hub where ideas come to life, equipping students with real-world skills in business, innovation, and creativity,” Paul Cable, GAC high school principal, said according to the release.
A complete redesign of the Jim & Becky Combee Elementary Complex will result in a facility better able to support students’ needs. Renovations will include flexible, modern classrooms, enhanced STEM and outdoor learning spaces, and a state-of-the-art Engineering, Science, and Design Lab.
“This renovation will not only modernize the Combee Elementary Complex but will also create an inspiring and secure environment where our younger learners can thrive and grow, reflecting our commitment to excellence in education and student well-being,” Lower School Principal Rhonda Helms said, according to the release.
The campaign includes a new athletic field house to support GAC’s soccer, tennis, baseball, softball, and girls’ flag football programs. Featuring locker rooms, training, and meeting spaces, and upgraded amenities, it will serve as a modern space for game-day operations and practices. According to the release, GAC Athletic Director Tim Hardy said the facility will allow athletes to compete at the highest level.
In addition to the field house, GAC is renovating and doubling the space in the Naik Athletic Training Center. Hardy said GAC’s performance training program is among the best in Georgia. The expanded training center will feature state-of-the-art performance training equipment, a dedicated speed and agility area, and a new recovery suite.
“Athletes will get the tools they need to recover efficiently and perform at their peak,” he said.
One part of the campaign has been completed. The new Wood Family Treehouse and Canopy Walk was completed in January. The release said it will inspire and elevate students’ outdoor learning experiences.
GAC designed the treehouse as a versatile hub for group learning, hands-on activities, and after-school programs. Students can connect with nature, develop new skills, and deepen their love for the outdoors at the treehouse.
Students enrolled at GAC come from 78 zip codes in 154 counties, a GAC spokesperson said. Approximately 1,800 pre-K-12th grade students attend classes at the GAC campus.
The walkable 90-acre campus is in Norcross, a half mile off I-85 and Indian Trail Road. GAC provides in-person, online, and hybrid options with more than 65 STEM courses, 30 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dual college credit courses, and personalized and project-based learning.
