Lake Oconee Academy Records Excellent AP Exam Scores

Greensboro, Ga. (August 31, 2015) – As Lake Oconee Academy continues to build its high school framework, the first class of high school freshmen, the Class of 2018, is meeting the challenges of a rigorous program with great success. Twenty-one out of thirty-two students in last year’s freshmen class took the opportunity and enrolled in Advanced Placement®(AP®) Biology and/or Human Geography courses. The results are in, and LOA students’ scores ranked well above the Georgia and national mean, or average, score.

The AP® program is administered by the College Board and offers college-level coursework to high school students. Colleges and universities will often grant course credit and advanced placement for qualifying scores on exams. LOA offered two AP® classes for 9th grade students in the 2014-15 school year, and expanded that selection to four classes for this year’s 9th and 10th grade students. LOA plans to have 12-15 AP® classes available by the 2017-18 school year. AP® exams are scored on a scale from 1 to 5: 5 - extremely well qualified; 4 – well qualified; 3 – qualified; 2 – possibly qualified; 1 – no recommendation.

LOA administered twenty-nine AP® exams to twenty-one students, with 72% of students scoring a 3 or higher. Of the 72% who scored a 3 or higher, 48% scored a 4 or 5. The LOA freshmen students’ scores fared extremely well on the state and national stage when compared to other high schools students (mostly juniors) who took the AP Biology and AP Human Geography exams in 2014-15 school year. The mean, or average, score for those two exams in Georgia is 2.78 and in the United States is 2.82. The mean score for LOA students is 3.07.

Students scoring a 1 or 2 on the exam will still gain value from the course as it demonstrates the fact that a student was willing to challenge him/herself with a rigorous course of study while in high school. Many colleges will give consideration to students who challenge themselves beyond what is commonplace in the high school curriculum.

“LOA believes that a successful AP® program doesn’t begin in high school,” said Dr. Hester Vasconcelos, AP® Coordinator at LOA. “Teachers in elementary and middle school work as integral parts of an AP® vertical team that provides students with opportunities to develop the skills necessary for success in their AP® classes. Providing support for each student through built-in tutoring, faculty office hours, and vertical alignment allows for an open door AP® policy that encourages students to challenge themselves, work hard, and subsequently build strong transcripts.”

LOA administration and teachers treated all students in grades 8 -10 to dessert at lunch on Friday, August 21, to recognize and celebrate the hard work of the AP® students.

Photo: LOA 10th grade students who participated in AP® Biology and/or AP® Human Geography in their freshman year are (front row, left to right) Cydney Bish, Abbey Wendt, Philip Knowles, Blake Beeker, Bobby Hatfield, John Fowler, Clayton Hinspeter, Meredith Grill, Grey Morris, Major Dukes, Stephanie Cervantes, (back row, left to right) Tucker Dukes, McKenzey Harris, Savannah Bussey, Kunj Sukha, Eli Ramsey, Samantha Cervantes, JD Higdon, Brandon Heffner, Savannah Courter and Morgan Clark.

For immediate release
Contact: Kerry Minster
706.454.1562
kerry.minster@lakeoconeeacademy.org

LOA Receives Large Business Award from Greene County Chamber of Commerce

Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) was the recipient of this year’s Large Business award from the Greene County Chamber of Commerce. The award, which was presented by Valerie Duvall, Greene County’s Director of Economic Development, was given to LOA for its significant contributions to Greene County’s economic development.

These contributions are numerous and include creation of more than 70 quality jobs and the attraction of 50 families to Greene County. “New families and businesses mean a more stable tax base which affords our citizens better roads, safety and healthcare,” noted Ms. Duvall.

LOA was also recognized for its commitment to shopping local. From gutters and plumbing to landscaping and catering, LOA has used local businesses at every opportunity in order to invest back into Greene County. In the past year, they have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into more than 30 local businesses around the county.

“As an economic development practitioner, they make my job easy,” added Duvall. “Not only do they provide quality jobs, recruit new residents, and support our existing industries, they also invest in the children of Greene County – from Woodville to Siloam, Union Point and Greensboro. In 2007, they opened their doors and touched the lives of 11 children. They now serve 578 children from all over the County giving them not only the best education available in Georgia, but one of the best in the Nation.”

“We are, of course, honored by this award. Our commitment to Greene County and its citizens is steadfast,” said Dr. Otho Tucker, CEO of Lake Oconee Academy. “As Greene County thrives, so does Lake Oconee Academy.”

For immediate release
Contact: Kerry Minster
706.454.1562
kerry.minster@lakeoconeeacademy.org

LOA Named National Test Center for Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) has been named a National Test Center for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). The first administration of the SAT at LOA will be Saturday, May 2, 2015 and LOA’s center number is 11-522. LOA is open to any student from any school who wants to take the SAT and/or the SAT Subject Tests and who registers to do so at center number 11-522. Information about the SAT and registration information may be found by visiting http://sat.collegeboard.org/home.

Dr. Hester Vasconcelos, Ed.D., LOA’s AP Coordinator and Spanish teacher, will be the Test Center Supervisor for Center 11-522. Her job will be to ensure the safe and appropriate handling of all test materials, fair and equitable testing administration, follow all the requirements for a national test facility, and make sure tests are secure at all times. She will also be responsible for recruiting and training administrators of the exams. LOA will offer SAT administrations to all registered students for regular administration and also for students with disabilities who present accommodation papers and who have appropriately registered for the SAT.

Dr. Vasconcelos joined the LOA staff after teaching at Walton High School in Marietta, GA for 19 years. “I have been a Test Center Supervisor for 8 years and an administrator for 15 years,” said Dr. Vasconcelos. “I am thrilled to bring this test center to LOA so that our students, and students from private or public schools in Greene County and surrounding counties, as well as home-schooled students are able to take these high-stakes tests in an environment that is known to them and close to home.”

Mark your calendars now... LOA’s opening SAT administration is Saturday, May 2, 2015. SAT Testing dates for the 2015-2016 school year will be available this summer. LOA is undertaking the process to become a test center for the ACT as well. For more information about the SAT or this test center, please feel free to contact Dr. Vasconcelos at 706-454-1562.

About the SAT:

The SAT is the largest and most widely accepted college entrance exam The SAT and SAT Subject Tests are designed to assess academic readiness for college. These exams provide a path to opportunities, financial support, and scholarships, in a way that's fair to all students. The SAT and SAT Subject Tests keep pace with what colleges are looking for today, measuring the skills required for success in the 21st century. The College Board site has sample test questions, test format, and information about the college application process. Information about the SAT and registration information may be found by visiting http://sat.collegeboard.org/home.

For immediate release
Contact: Kerry Minster
706.454.1562
kerry.minster@lakeoconeeacademy.org

LOA Earns 5-Star School Climate Star Rating from the Georgia Department of Education

Lake Oconee Academy has received a 5-star rating - a 98.5 out of 100 - for its 2104 School Climate Star Rating from the Georgia Department of Education (DOE). According to the Georgia DOE press release, school climate refers to the quality and character of school life – the “culture” of a school. A sustainable, positive school climate fosters youth development and student learning, which are essential elements for academic success, career-skill improvement and overall quality of life. The School Climate Star Rating helps determine whether a school is on the right path to school improvement.

“Research has shown us that school climate has a strong impact on student achievement,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “The data used to develop the 2014 Star Ratings proves this once again. If your school has a positive climate, it’s giving students the environment they need to learn. You’ll likely see high achievement there – or a school that’s on the right track toward high achievement.” Every Georgia school received a 1 - 5 star rating, with five stars representing an excellent school climate and one star representing a school climate most in need of improvement. The rating system uses data from the following areas: School Climate, Student Discipline, Safe and Substance-Free Learning Environment, and Attendance. School Climate Star Ratings are an informational tool for schools, administrators, and parents; they do not affect the school’s College & Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) score.

Dr. Otho Tucker, CEO of Lake Oconee Academy had this to say about the score, “While I am, of course, pleased by this news, I am not at all surprised. When you provide an environment for students that allows for and expects success that is exactly the result that you will achieve. The dedication of our faculty and staff to create and sustain an environment conducive to learning is outstanding. I commend them for their efforts in making sure that our students arrive each day to a school environment where they feel respected, valued and safe.”

Interpretations of the star ratings are below:

'5-star' schools ranked excellent according to the school climate index;

'4-star' schools ranked above average according to the school climate index;

'3-star' schools ranked average according to the school climate index;

'2-star' schools ranked below satisfactory according to the school climate index, or

'1-star' schools ranked unsatisfactory according to the school climate index.

School Climate Star Ratings are required by law; they also serve as a companion to the Department of Early Care and Learning’s Quality Rated program, which includes an assessment of the learning environment. “Students cannot learn in environments that do not support them,” Superintendent Woods said. “Georgia is committed to measuring the quality of its learning climates, and this aligned approach helps us assess that quality from preschool all the way through 12th grade.”

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Contact: Kerry Minster
706.454.1562
kerry.minster@lakeoconeeacademy.org

LOA Named Among Top 50 Public Elementary Schools in the Nation

Once again Lake Oconee Academy has been honored for its academic excellence, extracurricular richness, geographical and demographical diversity, and reputation. TheBestSchools.org has named LOA as one of the top 50 public schools in the nation, including the Department of Defense Schools around the world. Schools on the list are located throughout the continental United States, Germany and Japan and the award was based on the performance of grades three-five in each school.

According to TheBestSchools.org, all of the schools named to the list “illustrate what highly-motivated faculty, staff, parents, and students can achieve by raising expectations, rewarding hard work, and building character. Additionally, all schools on the list, working with what they have, create environments that are highly effective at stimulating learning and fostering personal growth.” All of these criteria fall right in line with LOA’s mission to increase student achievement by building a culture of high expectations for all students. Most importantly, LOA ensures that not only are students expected to achieve, but they are also given the tools they need to do so.

Dr. Otho Tucker, CEO of Lake Oconee Academy had this to say about the honor, “Even though this award was generated by the achievements of grades three-five, I know faculty members from those grades will be the first to say the success stems from a school wide expectation of excellence from all and by all. The preparation these students received in grades Pre-K4 through grade two was critical in the success of the students in grades three-five. Meeting the expectations of teachers for students moving to grades six and beyond also drives third-fifth grade teachers to do their very best every day,” continued Dr. Tucker. “This is a school-wide award driven by a school-wide culture of excellence, which every faculty and staff member has and is committed to attaining.”

All of the schools on the list exemplify success in elementary education. Many of them, like LOA, were awarded 2014 National Blue Ribbon School status. To find out more about this honor, please visit www.thebestschools.org.

For immediate release
Contact: Kerry Minster
706.454.1562
kerry.minster@lakeoconeeacademy.org

LOA Students Create Musical Magic with Grammy-Award Winning Producer Deezle

Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) music students were fortunate enough to cross paths with a musical powerhouse during an impromptu lunch visit at school in late October. Three-time Grammy Award-winning music producer Darius “Deezle” Harrison was invited to lunch at school by LOA parent Mark DeMattei and the result was a full-blown production resulting in a song co-produced by Deezle and LOA students titled “Let Your Light Shine.”

“Mr. Deezle,” as he became known to the students, stopped by LOA for lunch and was asked to speak to the chorus group for a moment about his career as a producer. What happened next was the opportunity of a lifetime for LOA music students.

“The kids had really legitimate questions about how I do what I do as a music producer and how the process worked, not just what I did,” said Deezle, who resides in Los Angeles. “I had some equipment in the car, so I thought, ‘I’ll just show you.’ This was a completely spontaneous experience. From the first drumbeat, an interest was sparked in these students. Then the next class period more kids showed up, then a few more and a few more. They inspired a song in that moment.”

The band and chorus students laid down the song structure and melodic structure in that initial session, and with a promise from Deezle to come back the following Friday to complete the song, they got to work. Deezle did some minor production work on the track and then emailed the melody and chorus lyrics back to LOA band director Courtney Pilgrim. The students practiced their parts, worked on the lyrics, and were ready for their final recording on Friday, October 31.

“This was a true collaboration,” explained Deezle, “I came up with the first couple verses and the students worked on the rest of the lyrics. Then they came up with the horn part after being inspired by the piano part and so on. I was thoroughly impressed with what they came up with.”

The LOA team of music educators – Courtney Pilgrim (band director), Amy Reber (piano instructor) and Juli Malcom (music and chorus instructor) – were thrilled for their students to have the experience of creating music with an accomplished producer who showed them how to express themselves creatively and truly “let their light shine.” The students will be premiering the track at their Winter Concert and the Southland Jubilee in downtown Greensboro, Ga.

“This was an unbelievable opportunity for our kids, “said Mrs. Pilgrim. “The excitement was through the roof. Deezle shared an amazing message with students that hard work, dedication and never giving up always pays off in the end.”

“This was a great experience and I hope it inspired the students to practice and devote their time to excellence in their musical craft,” Deezle said. “Band saved my life. When I was young I could either dedicate my time to doing things that would take away my freedom or I could go practice my horn. Music broadened my horizons - it gave me the ability to perform and travel, and allowed me to generate income even as a teenager. My path has been an interesting and winding road.”

Deezle was born and raised in New Orleans. La., and was influenced by the rich sounds of the New Orleans music scene and by his uncle who played the bass. Deezle picked up the alto saxophone in the 4th grade and joined the band. At the age of 15 he was playing in the halftime show of the Super Bowl. His Grammy awards resulted from his co-producing and sound engineering work with rapper Lil Wayne on the song “Lollipop” and the album “Tha Carter III.”

For immediate release
Contact: Kerry Minster
706.454.1562
kerry.minster@lakeoconeeacademy.org

LOA 8th Graders Experience Washington DC

The 8th grade class of Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) recently had the exciting opportunity to tour the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., during a school trip from September 29 – October 3, 2014.

One of the most impactful moments of the trip was the participation of LOA students in a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, home to more than 400,000 fallen active duty service members, veterans and their families. Four students were selected to represent LOA for their academic achievement and effort, high quality character, and class leadership. Jameshia Copeland, Ashton Evans, Calleigh Reber and Tyler Weir spoke with military personnel, received instructions on protocol for the ceremony, and placed the wreath at the Tomb on the Unknown Soldier.

“It was awesome,” said 8th grade student Jameshia Copeland. “I was nervous at first but the guard talked to us and told us where to stand and when to put our hands over our hearts. The wreath had our school name on it and was really pretty. It was very inspirational.”

Students were also able to visit many of the memorials and museums that Washington, D.C., has to offer. They spent time at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Memorial, United States Capitol, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Newseum, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, and National World War II Memorial.

For immediate release
Contact: Kerry Minster
706.454.1562
kerry.minster@lakeoconeeacademy.org

Reflections from LOA CEO Dr. Otho Tucker on Receiving the 2014 National Blue Ribbon Award

There are moments in life that are special to you personally. There are moments in life that are special because they impact those that you love. And, there are moments in life that are special because they reach to the soul of who you are in service of others. The 2014 National Blue Ribbon School Award is one that not only touches who I am as an educator but also what we represent as a high quality, high performing charter school. It epitomizes the very fabric of excellence that was the intent of the vision and mission, and the charge that was given me when accepting this position.

For those of you who do not know the extent of the 2104 National Blue Ribbon School Award, let me give you some background. It was started in 1982 by then Secretary of Education Terrell Bell to highlight the achievement of elementary, middle, and high schools across the United States, including the U.S. Military Schools found around the world. It is given to schools that, over a period of five years show consistent exemplary achievement and/or exemplary improvement in all segments of the education program. Schools become eligible to be repeat winners in five years and several have that distinction.

With this said, Lake Oconee Academy has shown this high achievement over the past five years and was selected for that achievement. This is the first year LOA was eligible for the award and to be selected in its first year is an honor in itself. With over 132,000 schools eligible for the award, only 290 traditional public, charter and magnet schools and 50 private schools from across the nation and the seas were recipients placing LOA in a group consisting of only twenty-five hundredth of one percent of schools (0.25%). Awards are nice; however, to be meaningful, there needed to be a greater message and that came with the two day awards ceremony and speeches held in Washington, DC.

The first of these messages came from US Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan. In his speech, Secretary Duncan made the point that even though schools were improving there was still unrest with many education programs and too many poorly performing schools in the United States. However, he then stated the best schools in the United States can compete with the best schools anywhere in the world and these Blue Ribbon Schools are in that illustrious group of best schools in the world.

We also heard the 2014 National Teacher the Year, Sean McComb speak. He asked the question, “What is the role of the 2014 Blue Ribbon Schools as it relates to the remainder of the education community?” He noted a conversation he had with the First Lady where she challenged him to reach back through the door of opportunity that had opened for him and pull other teachers through the door with him, assisting them to be high quality teachers. Mr. McComb challenged the Blue Ribbon Schools to share their experiences and expertise with those who request and seek their assistance.

LOA has helped a plethora of schools and educational leaders across Georgia and the United States with setup, curriculum design, and leadership. Even as recently as this week the Academy for Classical Education (ACE) from Bibb County continues to visit for Special Education design and implementation as well as leadership information. I spoke last Saturday morning at a weekend retreat for a DeKalb Leadership Academy that was seeking to improve their overall performance.

But the most impactful comments of the conference came from the 2011 National Superintendent of the Year, Mark Johnson. He turned a historically failing school district in California into one that was the home of multiple “Blue” schools. He made two direct and profound statements. Statements we live by here at LOA. First, “Every organization is perfectly aligned for the results it gets.” And second, “The world is not going to lower its standards for you.” At LOA, we do not intend for that to be a problem.

For immediate release
Contact: Kerry Minster
706.454.1562
kerry.minster@lakeoconeeacademy.org