The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education visited Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) on Tuesday, October 25 as the first stop of eight stops on the three-day Annual Bus Trip Across Georgia tour.   

The theme this year is “Georgia’s Public Schools: Changing Culture, Building Community, and Reaching Excellence.”  LOA was nominated as one of this year’s stops then passed a rigorous review of its achievement numbers and relationships within the community.  According to Dr. Dana Rickman, the policy and research director for the Partnership, “It was quickly evident this was the type school we want to showcase.”

The 2011 tour buses were filled with a combination of Georgia educators, business, government and community leaders from around the state.  More than 30 names were on a waiting list.  The participants spent two hours visiting classrooms watching and listening to experience what LOA is doing right.  They toured the campus led by LOA student leaders from the 4th, 5th and 6th grade.   The participants observed, engaged in lessons with students, and conversed with teachers.

“It was an exciting moment for Lake Oconee Academy and Greene County Schools to be visited by the Partnership,” said Dr. Otho Tucker, CEO of LOA. “I was proud of our students and teachers as they hosted our guests. I think the bus tour participants had the opportunity to see the ongoing growth and partnership in the county education program that will ultimately benefit all children.”

The Bus Trip Across Georgia began in 1993 and has become a highly anticipated annual fall event.  More than 280 schools have been visited over the history of the tour.  Selected sites consider their “The Bus Stopped Here” designation as a mark of distinction.

The 2011 trip is focusing on schools in the mid-eastern and southeastern regions of the state.  Other schools include Oak Hill Middle School, Baldwin County Schools; Langston Chapel Elementary School, Bulloch County Schools; Claxton Middle School, Evans County Schools; Taylors Creek Elementary School, Liberty County Schools; Sugarmill Elementary School, Camden County Schools; Golden Isles Career Academy, Glynn County Schools; and Ware County High School, Ware County Schools.

Visit the Partnership web site (www.gpee.org – Programs/Annual Bus trip page) for more information about the organization and the event.