Lake Oconee Academy Band of Titans Records Outstanding Year of Performances and Achievements

A YEAR IN REVIEW: LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY BAND OF TITANS RECORDS OUTSTANDING YEAR OF PERFORMANCES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Greensboro, Ga. (May 17, 2016) - The Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) Band of Titans has experienced tremendous growth since its inception in 2011 with just 40 students, most of who had never played an instrument before enrolling in band class. Under the direction of Mrs. Courtney Pilgrim the Band of Titans has 200 students and has expanded into a Performance Band, Pep Band and Jazz Band.

The Band of Titans had an exciting year that kicked off with a trip to Disney World in Orlando, Fla., in October for band students in grades 9-10. LOA students had the opportunity to work with a Disney director, perform Disney music and record songs from the Disney feature "Tangled," learn new rehearsal techniques and music study skills, discover the studio recording environment, and gain insight into the required skills to be a professional studio musician.

"It was a great experience for our band students," said Mrs. Pilgrim. "It was rewarding to see their faces and hear from the students how much the music meant to them. The workshop gave them an inside look at how hard professional musicians work. It also gave them the opportunity to see where music can lead them."

The February performance showcased three bands with students ranging from 5th-10th grade for a Winter Concert. The students in grades 6-10 were performing the pieces that they were preparing for the State Evaluation in early March. This yearly State adjudication features three judges who evaluate band students on a prepared performance. Band members play prepared pieces as well as a new piece of music that they have not viewed prior to the evaluation. Students are given just six minutes to review the piece and perform it for a sight reading evaluation. The High School Band (8-10) received an Excellent rating on Stage Performance and an Excellent rating in Sight Reading. The Middle School Band (6-7) received an Excellent rating on Stage Performance and a Superior Rating in Sight Reading.

In March, First Year Honor Band members were selected to travel to Augusta, Ga., to perform with some of the best beginning musicians in LOA's state band district. The 5th grade students who participated were: Gianluca Corrias , Elisa Garcia-Carreras, Hailey Heinen, Hannah Heinen, Duncan Reber, and Drew Stephens. District Honor Band Students who were selected to perform with the region's best upper school students in grades 6-10 were: Blake Beeker, Madi Prendergast, Kelli Scheck and Braden Strickland.

Next on the band's busy schedule was a performance by the Jazz Band on a beautiful, sunny day at the Southland Jubilee in downtown Greensboro, Ga., on April 19. The band entertained the crowd with sounds from a range of eras and styles of music. The Jazz Band also performed for Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties at its monthly meeting in April.

The LOA Band of Titans finished its performance season with a spectacular movie-themed concert on April 28. From Star Wars to Skyfall, they played to a standing-room only crowd that was treated to a rousing performance. In addition to performances by the three bands, all 200 band members played in the final number, "Cups" from the film Pitch Perfect, which featured a large trash can percussion ensemble.

"The Spring Band Concert was a true happening," said Dr. Otho Tucker, CEO of LOA. "It was extraordinary. I could not have been prouder of the band members. Their performance made me proud to be a Titan."

Photo: Members of the LOA Band of Titans attended a music workshop in Disney World in October.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kerry Minster
706.454.1562
kerry.minster@lakeoconeeacademy.org

Lake Oconee Academy Presents Innovative Programs At GA DOE International Skills Diploma Seal Awards Luncheon

Greensboro, Ga. (May 6, 2016) – Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) faculty members were invited to present at the Georgia Department of Education (DOE) awards ceremony for the new International Skills Diploma Seal (ISDS) global education initiative in Atlanta on April 19, 2016. LOA presented information regarding three different programs the school has launched. The implementation of these programs further solidifies the global focus of the curriculum and expands opportunities for students to prepare to meet the demands of the global job market.

The ISDS is awarded to graduating students who fulfill a course of study with a global focus to include:

• At least three credits in the same world language and/or ESOL International Focus

• At least four credits in courses determined to have an international focus

• At least four extracurricular activities and experiences with global themes and/or in global contexts (e.g., exchange programs, international and language clubs, travel abroad)

• Twenty hours of community service involving a global/cross-cultural public service project

• Capstone presentation on the knowledge gained in the courses and activities listed above

According to the World Languages and Global/Workforce initiatives developed by the Georgia DOE, “Developing international perspective and advanced language proficiency, particularly as this relates to college and career readiness, will ensure our nation's security and will support our statewide and regional economic development goals. Business leaders across Georgia and the Southeast have made it clear that these skills are the fastest route to success in a global job market and that they provide a competitive advantage that moves an applicant's resume to the top of the pile.”

LOA CEO, Dr. Otho Tucker, and LOA Spanish teacher, Christina Cronic, were invited to share the unique programs LOA is implementing that demonstrate the global mindedness that the ISDS is striving to achieve. The programs are Project Lead the Way (PLTW), which emphasizes science, technology, engineering and math; AP® with WE.org Service, a pilot program with courses having a global focus and service initiative; and the International Spanish Academy (ISA), a dual-diploma program from the Ministry of Education of Spain. These programs will combine to allow most LOA graduates to meet the criteria for the International Skills Diploma Seal (ISDS). LOA’s graduation requirement of three years of foreign language and 70 hours of community service for all students, along with the courses offered through these innovative programs and the traditional course of study in high school, satisfy the majority of the requirements for the diploma seal. LOA will have its first graduating class in 2018.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kerry Minster
706.454.1562
kerry.minster@lakeoconeeacademy.org

Lake Oconee Academy 9th and 10th Graders Perform Higher Than State and National Average on PSAT/NMSQT Test

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY 9TH AND 10TH GRADERS PERFORM HIGHER THAN STATE AND NATIONAL AVERAGE ON PSAT/NMSQT TEST

Greensboro, Ga. (March 7, 2016) – The College Board recently released the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) scores. The PSAT/NMSQT was administered to all LOA 9th and 10th grade students in October, 2015. The results show that LOA students performed higher than the state average and the national average. The mean total score for LOA students is 1037, the state is 900, and the nation is 931.

LOA 10th grade students also met and surpassed another important benchmark on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) and Math assessment. 100% of LOA 10th grade students met the ERW benchmark and 80% met the Math benchmark, which is an outstanding achievement. The percentage of students meeting both benchmarks is 80% for LOA students, 39% for the state, and 47% for the nation.

The PSAT/NMSQT is a standardized test administered by the College Board and cosponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). Approximately 3.5 million students take the PSAT/NMSQT each year. Scores from the PSAT/NMSQT will determine eligibility and qualification for the National Merit Scholarship Program. You must be a junior level student to qualify for the scholarship program. LOA students will not qualify this year, but look forward to participating in their upcoming junior year.

LOA believes that using the Summary of Answers Report (SOAR) provided with the PSAT/NMQSQT is an important tool to help build on success and strengthen skills for college readiness preparation. The SOAR allows teachers and students to understand the skill or knowledge being tested in each question, find out how the student scored on each question, and delineate steps to improve the score. In addition, the College Board has partnered with Khan Academy to provide free, personalized test building practice online to all students. Through Khan Academy, each student is able to connect to a personalized course of study tailored to the results of the questions from the PSAT/NMSQT.

“The SOAR is the strongest use of the PSAT as an indicator of how well a student will perform on future college entrance exams,” said Dr. Hester Vasconcelos, LOA AP Coordinator. “Using the SOAR as a tool for improvement, and not just as a report, helps students build the skills necessary for success. The key is to build the skills and strategies that allow students to apply knowledge learned in all content areas, synthesize and analyze information, and evaluate the best procedures to focus on problem solving. The SOAR is also a valuable tool for classroom teachers who can study the results and determine which areas or problems still perplex students. Lessons can be designed to give students practice with the skills and strategies across content areas.”

The Georgia Department of Education covers the cost for 10th graders across the state to take the PSAT/NMSQT. LOA invests in its students by providing the test at no cost to 9th grade students in an effort to provide practice and support in preparing students for the college admissions process.

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

Lake Oconee Academy Approved for International Skills Diploma Seal

BY THE GEORGIA DOE

Greensboro, Ga. (February 2, 2016) - Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) has received approval to participate in the International Skills Diploma Seal (ISDS) program from the Georgia Department of Education. The ISDS is awarded to graduating high school students who complete an international education curriculum and engage in extracurricular activities and experiences that foster the achievement of global competencies.

The requirements for the International Skills Diploma Seal are:

1) ​At least three credits in the same world language and/or ESOL International Focus
2) At least four credits in courses determined to have an international focus, such as international economics, world/non-US history, world geography, etc.
3) At least four extracurricular activities and experiences with global themes and/or in global contexts (e.g., exchange programs, international and language clubs, travel abroad)
4) Twenty hours of community service involving a global/cross-cultural public service project
5) Capstone presentation on the knowledge gained in the courses and activities listed above

"We are very excited to continue to build a program with an international focus for the students of LOA," said Christina Cronic, Spanish teacher and coordinator of the ISDS program at LOA. "Our first class of seniors will graduate in 2018 and, by meeting the LOA graduation requirements which already include three credits of a world language, we anticipate all students will be eligible for this seal. The additional academic and service requirements build on the LOA vision of 'preparing students for the global society in which we live, work and play.' We applaud the Georgia Department of Education for putting global skills and awareness on the forefront of education."

LOA is also in the final stages of applying to become an International Spanish Academy (ISA) through the Ministry of Education of Spain. Students in the ISA would take at least 25% of their high school courses with Spanish as the language of instruction, with the objective to obtain written and oral proficiency in both languages.

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

Lake Oconee Academy Named Top 5 Finalist for Georgia Charter School of the Year

LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY NAMED TOP 5 FINALIST FOR GEORGIA CHARTER SCHOOL OF THE YEAR

Greensboro, Ga. (January 11, 2016) – Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) has been selected as one of the five finalists for Georgia Charter School of the Year. Sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation, the award will be presented at the Georgia Charter Schools Association (GCSA) Annual Conference in February. Presented each year to an outstanding charter school in Georgia, the prestigious award was established to honor excellence in education throughout the charter sector. As the final step in the process, LOA will participate in an interview before a selection committee on January 14.

Lake Oconee Academy CEO Dr. Otho Tucker said of the award, “This is just another indication that the hard work of the students, parents, staff, volunteers, and board does not go unnoticed by those outside of Greene County.” Tucker says that ultimately, the goal of LOA is setting a standard for others. “It is not being named Charter School of the Year that is important, though we would love the honor, it is creating a model for others to follow and a standard of excellence that all can achieve. We have proven that rural schools can provide the same opportunities to students as schools in metropolitan areas.”

In order to qualify for this award and the accompanying $50,000 grant, LOA has followed the guidelines strictly. LOA is a GCSA member school in good standing demonstrating academic excellence as measured by standardized achievement tests and serving students in Georgia. Operational for five or more years, LOA has demonstrated operational sustainability and sound fiscal practices as well as autonomous governance through the use of waivers and authority over academic, financial, and personnel decisions. If selected the Georgia Charter School of the Year, members of LOA will present at the 2017 conference on how they used the grant to further their academic excellence.

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

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