Athens Academy

And that’s a wrap! Thank you to the PSO for another amazing Faculty Post-Planning Luncheon! We celebrated our colleagues who are moving on to new adventures and enjoyed a delicious lunch from Mama’s Boy followed by a drawing for over 100 fantastic items donated by generous families and local businesses. It was a great way to finish the year! 💚

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER, SPARTANS!

This week a group from the Athens Academy boys' basketball team is enjoying a trip to Vienna, Austria! They've been busy practicing several hours each day but have still found time to visit beautiful sites including St. Stephen’s cathedral, the Belvedere Palace, and the Danube Canal, and they even had the chance to see an opera. They're also enjoying the delicious pizza, sausage, ice cream and Vienna’s famous Sacher Torte chocolate cake. Thank you to the Rutledge family for coordinating this great opportunity for our student-athletes!

Last Friday we celebrated Middle School Honors Day for the Class of 2030 as they graduated to Upper School! It was a special day for the students, their families, and their teachers, and the ceremony capped off another great year on Spartan Lane.

Have a great summer, Spartans!

The Lower Schoolers were serious about Field Day this year! They came to compete--and they had an awesome time!

Have a great summer, Spartans!

(And a big thank you to Jenny Richardson for the gorgeous photos!)

Tomorrow marks John Thorsen’s "last day of school" after twelve years of faithful leadership to Athens Academy, and we have had the best time celebrating him throughout this year.

From handwritten letters and signed books to silly socks, ice cream parties, ornaments, receptions, and countless heartfelt moments, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends have found meaningful ways to thank John for the care, commitment, and steady leadership he has given this school community.

These gestures, both big and small, reflect the sincere gratitude so many people feel for John and Laura. Athens Academy is better because of his leadership, and while he will be greatly missed, we are thankful for the lasting impact he leaves behind. 💚

(And in case anyone is wondering, John will still be around this summer until the end of June...but tomorrow is his last last day of school.)

Lower School loves Water Day, too!

Three Athens Academy students have earned national recognition for their commitment to service through the National Community Service Impact Awards program presented by InnerView Technologies in partnership with the Department of Education and other national organizations.

The awards celebrate students who make a meaningful impact through volunteerism and community engagement while encouraging lifelong habits of service and leadership.

Athens Academy students recognized this year include:
•Dyllan Adams '27 — Ambassador Award (100+ Hours of Service)
•Sage Wilhite '27 — Honor Award (60+ Hours of Service)
•Emiliana Korin '26 — Merit Award (40+ Hours of Service)

Emiliana Korin previously won the Ambassador level of recognition during her sophomore year of high school (2023-2024). In addition, this spring she was awarded the Congressional Award Gold Medal for her outstanding commitment to serving others. Emiliana graduated from Athens Academy in May and will be attending the University of Georgia this fall.

The National Community Service Impact Awards recognize students based on the number of service hours completed, leadership demonstrated, and the positive impact they make in their communities.

“At Athens Academy, we believe service is an important part of developing thoughtful, engaged citizens,” said Head of School John Thorsen. “We are proud of Dyllan, Sage, and Emiliana for the initiative, compassion, and leadership they have shown through their commitment to helping others.”

Athens Academy encourages students to pursue meaningful service opportunities both on campus and throughout the broader community. Students regularly volunteer with local nonprofits, schools, community organizations, and outreach initiatives, putting the school’s mission of “Excellence with Honor” into action.

On Friday, May 15, the seniors gathered in the Myers Gallery and then on Slaughter Field to celebrate together one last time before graduation. They reflected on the building of the Class of 2026, the special dynamics of each advisory, and the many memories they’ve made during their time at Athens Academy.

This year’s celebration included two special surprises for our seniors and their families: a sweet book, "Goodbye Athens Academy," written by parent Meghan Garrard, and a beautiful fireworks show that lit up the night and capped off an unforgettable evening.

Thank you to the many, many people whose hard work and attention to detail made this event so meaningful for our families, especially staff coordinator Audrey Mathis and Vespers Committee Chairs Katherine Alexander and Holly Belger.

Congratulations to the Athens Academy Class of 2026!

We love Preschool Water Day!

The sixth grade recently welcomed a special guest to campus: Cindy Miller, better known to her grandchildren and their friends as “Cha Cha”! Cindy shared her new children’s book, "Alli the Alligator," about a young alligator who faces bullying after enrolling in a human school, until her kindness and bravery change everything.

Cha Cha spoke with students about the importance of friendship, inclusion, and looking out for one another, and the message resonated with everyone in the room. Thank you to Cha Cha for spending time with our students, and to her granddaughter Louise for being such a good sport by suiting up in an inflatable alligator costume for the occasion!