FLOWERY BRANCH - The newly formed Lanier Christian Academy, a Christian K-12 college-preparatory school slated to open next fall, has announced its leadership team in addition to a new mascot.
Lanier Christian Academy was created in late summer by the merger of two area private schools: North Georgia Christian School in Flowery Branch and Heritage Academy in Braselton. The announcement was made by both school boards in September, with the unification becoming official on January 1. (Click here http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/9/333415/two-hall-co-christian-schools-to-merge-in-2016 for earlier story.)
Al Gainey, current board chair for North Georgia Christian School, has been named president and CEO of Lanier Christian Academy. His counterpart at Heritage Academy, Board Chair Fran Hasson, will serve as Board Chair of Lanier Christian Academy.
Joining Ms. Hasson on the Lanier Christian Board of Trustees will be Chad Bolton, Mark Collins, Melanie Crozier, Andy Grinstead, Marcus Henderson, Holly Martin, Chastity Nix, and Angie Savage.
The following administrative appointments for the new school have also been made:
David Douglas, current head of school at Heritage, will assume the role of vice president for operations and program development;
Carol Cox, current head of school at North Georgia Christian, will serve as Lower School principal;
Dwayne Daniels, current Upper School principal at North Georgia Christian, will continue to serve as Upper School principal at the new school;
Debbie Lee, formerly with Hebron Christian Academy, has been named director of institutional advancement;
Sherry Reed, former head of admissions at Heritage, will serve as director of admissions for Lanier Christian;
Former Atlanta Falcon player Todd Weiner, who currently serves as athletic director at Heritage, will serve as Lanier Christian’s athletic director.
The new mascot for Lanier Christian Academy, chosen by the students of the two unifying schools, also has been selected: Lanier Lightning.
“I am honored to be chosen to lead the new Lanier Christian Academy as president,” said Al Gainey. “We are combining two well-established and respected Christian schools to create a win-win for students, families, and our community.”
The new school will offer two teaching models – a traditional five-day model and a three-day University Model that includes elements of independent home schooling. Future plans also call for a third option for online learning as well as a Christian Leadership Institute.
“Our goal is to ground and equip students for long-term success in college, their careers, church and life,” Gainey said.
With a projected enrollment of over 350 students, Lanier Christian Academy also will provide greater opportunities for athletics with a larger pool to field sports teams. Gainey said there also will be a greater variety of academic courses and fine arts electives as a result of combining two schools.
Lanier Christian Academy will start the new 2016-17 school year at Chestnut Mountain Church on Ga. Hwy. 53, which is the current location of North Georgia Christian School in South Hall County. However, a new site for the school has already been secured nearby on Poplar Springs Road in South Hall. A capital campaign to fund construction of the new campus will kick off next year.
For more information about Lanier Christian Academy, contact (678) 828-8350.
