Giving back has always been a part of our mission at George Walton Academy. We work to build a sense of community and plant the seeds for a lifelong interest in being involved and making a difference. This year giving back generated an added bonus for GWA. Prior to Thanksgiving, GWA students started a scarf project for Special Olympics. Students and teachers learned to knit and created scarves for the athletes to wear. It was a fun project and along the way, Susanna Grimsley, a lower school student filmed the project, and with the help of GWA faculty, Barbara Kutchback and Beth Russell submitted an application for a Windstream Grant for $25,000. GWA was announced as a finalist and a check for $25,000 was presented to the school just after Thanksgiving to be used for technology improvements. It was a great way to end the calendar year.

Coming into the New Year, it is an exciting time for our seniors at George Walton Academy because everything moves into fast forward in anticipation of graduation, which is less than four months away. Consisting of 80 students, the class of 2012 has been busy with early submissions for college. Of the students who applied for early admission to the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech, seventy percent were accepted. One of those students was accepted into the Honors Program at UGA, being part of the top 4 percent of early admits. Scholarship dollars are starting to roll in, with more than $1.2 million dollars being offered to our seniors to date. Three students have received a Presidential Award for Mercer, one student was awarded an Academic Charter Scholarship for Auburn, and two other students have received National Merit Commendations. We are looking forward to celebrating the accomplishments of this great class.

GWA continues to put great focus on academics with all seniors being required to take the SAT or ACT. Last year 79 students took a total of 125 Advance Placement exams in 13 subjects. Ninety-two percent of the test scores came back with a three or above, with the mean score being four. Our students in lower and middle school consistently score in the 95 percent or higher than the national average on ITBS exams. This can be taken as proof that GWA is preparing these students well for the road to academic excellence.

I invite you to come and learn more about our academic success and dedication to developing responsible, self-disciplined adults. Our admissions team will be hosting an information session and open house on Tuesday, Feb. 7th at 10 a.m. Use our front entrance and follow the signs to our auditorium. No reservation is necessary. We would love to show you around and talk about the many positive things happening here at George Walton Academy. If this time is not convenient, let us know and we will be happy to set up another day and time that works better for you. We can be reached at (770) 267-7578 or through gwa.com.

I wish all of you and your families a happy and successful 2012.

Billy Nicholson is the Headmaster at George Walton Academy in Monroe.