Lake Oconee Academy

Through this unique collaboration, students from both schools are engaging in shared programs that expand access to advanced coursework and hands-on career training. LOA students are participating in Greene County High School's Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs, while GCHS students are joining Advanced Placement (AP) classes at LOA. These experiences are broadening horizons for students across Greene County and strengthening the bonds between the two school communities.

For example, several LOA students are now enrolled in the Greene College & Career Academy welding program, gaining practical skills in a high-demand field that continues to play an important role in the local economy. Meanwhile, GCHS students are taking AP Physics at LOA, strengthening their STEM foundation and exploration of future careers in related fields.

GCHS student Zoe Jarrett, who is taking AP Physics at LOA, shared how valuable the experience has been: “It has been a benefit academically, because I’m able to take a course here that I didn’t have the chance to take at our other school.”

“I chose welding because I already had some experience with it and thought it would be a fun class to take,” said LOA student Cooper Bryan, who takes welding classes at GCHS twice a week. “I have felt very welcome here and made new friends, and I think this is definitely something that will help provide me with opportunities in the future.”

Another student, Sydney Ford, said the experience has helped her feel a strong sense of belonging and unity between the two schools. Students from both schools shared that these opportunities have broadened their future options and made them feel part of something bigger—two school communities coming together with a shared purpose and spirit.

Beyond academics, students from both schools are coming together each week through the Adapted PE Peer Buddy Program, which pairs students with disabilities alongside peer mentors to promote inclusion, friendship, and teamwork. Every Friday, students from LOA and GCHS participate in adapted physical education activities filled with encouragement, laughter, and connection.

This spirit of collaboration continues each spring during Exceptional Children’s Day, formerly known as Special Olympics, when volunteers and participants from both schools unite for a day of athletic competition and celebration. These shared experiences create lasting memories and strengthen the sense of community that both schools strive to build.

In addition to classroom collaborations, students from both schools frequently come together for shared experiences outside of the regular school day. Juniors and seniors from GCHS and LOA often participate in joint field trips to visit colleges, giving students from both campuses a chance to explore postsecondary options side by side. The schools also collaborate regularly at events hosted on each other’s campuses, such as when GCHS students attended the PROBE College Fair at LOA earlier this fall. These shared experiences strengthen the partnership between the two schools and help students see themselves as part of a larger learning community across Greene County.

“This partnership with Greene County Schools reflects our shared commitment to providing meaningful opportunities for students,” said Dr. Brad Bowling, Executive Director of Lake Oconee Academy. “Through the exchange of CTAE and AP courses, and with the launch of the Adapted PE Peer Buddy Program, students from both schools are learning and growing together. I’m deeply appreciative of the teachers who have made this possible, and I’m excited about how these efforts strengthen connections within our community. Building strong partnerships with schools, businesses, and community organizations is central to who we are, and I’m optimistic about how these collaborations can continue to grow.”

Dr. Aaryn Schmuhl, GCSS Superintendent, added, “At the Greene County School System, we believe learning should be joyful, meaningful, and rigorous, and this partnership with LOA helps bring that vision to life. When students come together across schools and programs to learn alongside each other, they gain more than academic opportunities; they experience belonging, empathy, and shared success. This is the kind of learning that prepares students not just for graduation, but for life, and we’re excited to continue strengthening these opportunities so that every student in Greene County has the chance to discover their passions and reach their full potential."

As this partnership continues to grow, both Lake Oconee Academy and the Greene County School System remain committed to expanding opportunities, strengthening community ties, and ensuring that every student in Greene County has the chance to learn, lead, and succeed together.