Lake Oconee Academy

Congratulations to our LOA Spelling Bee Champions! 🎉💛We are so proud of all our incredible spellers who competed. Their hard work, confidence and sportsmanship were truly impressive! 1st & 2nd Grade Spelling Bee: 🏆 Champion: Agnes Keen (1st Grade) 🥈 Runner-Up: Manny Ruiz (2nd Grade) 3rd–5th Grade Spelling Bee: 🏆 Champion: Jordan Loh (4th Grade) 🥈 Runner-Up: Kylie Castillo (5th Grade) Jordan will represent LOA at the County Spelling Bee in January! 6th–8th Grade Spelling Bee: 🏆 Champion: Ann Campbell Vinson (8th Grade) 🥈 Runner-Up: Hallie Wilcher (7th Grade) Ann Campbell will represent LOA at the County Spelling Bee in January!
We are so proud of every student who stepped up to compete. Way to go, Titans! 💙📚🐝

Building Futures at LOA! 🛠️💛LOA students recently joined peers from Greene County High School for a hands-on field trip exploring careers in the skilled trades. From touring homes under construction to visiting local cabinetry and stair fabrication shops, students got a behind-the-scenes look at the many paths available in the construction industry — right here in our community. Thank you to the Lake Oconee Area Builders Association, for making this incredible experience possible for our Titans!

Our 4th graders in Mrs. Carlton’s class had a special visit from NaQuan Brooks, a Federal Law Enforcement Officer with the U.S. Forest Service. 💙🌳Officer Brooks spoke to students about his important role protecting public lands and taught them all about the “Every Kid Outdoors Pass” which gives 4th graders and their families free access to national parks and public lands across the country! 🌎✨ Students got to play Smokey the Bear Bingo and explore the Great Outdoors—right from their classroom! 🐻🔥 Thank you, Officer Brooks, for inspiring our Titans to explore, protect and appreciate the natural beauty around us. 🌲

Learning Through History 💙💛 Our 5th grade students in Dr. Teal’s class brought history to life this week as they studied the Great Depression and explored the story of “Hoovervilles.” To better understand this important period in history, students rolled up their sleeves and worked together to build their very own cardboard Hooverville right in the cafeteria! 🏚️✨ They even shared a soup meal to experience what a day might have been like for families during that time. Hands-on learning like this helps our Titans connect deeply with the past while building teamwork, creativity and empathy along the way. 💙

Congratulations to Our GHP County Nominees! 🎉💙 Lake Oconee Academy proudly celebrates nine outstanding high school students selected as county-level nominees for the prestigious Georgia Governor’s Honors Program. Their excellence, creativity and dedication shine brightly as they advance to the next phase of this highly selective process. We’re so proud of these Titans for representing LOA with scholarship and spirit! 🌟

🦃💛 Happy Thanksgiving from Lake Oconee Academy! 💙🍂 Today we’re thankful for our Titan Family — the students who make us smile, the teachers who inspire every day and the families who fill our halls with love and support. In PE last week, our students worked together to create “turkeys” using only their equipment and their imagination. No instructions, just teamwork, creativity and lots of laughter. A perfect little STEAM moment to kick off the holiday break. Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with joy and togetherness. 🧡💙

Save the Date to Show YOUR Support of Lake Oconee Academy! December 2, 2025 is Giving Tuesday, the National Day of Giving. The Lake Oconee Academy community of parents, friends, grandparents, teachers and administrators will have the opportunity to support LOA with a financial gift. Donations will go towards the arts, academic scholarships and athletic equipment. Gifts of any amount are gratefully accepted.
#givingtuesday #givingbacktothecommunity 💙

Reminder: LOA is closed for Thanksgiving Break.

1st and 4th Grade Reading Buddies came together for the sweetest Thanksgiving Feast! There’s nothing better than good food, great friends and traditions that make LOA feel like home. 💙🦃💛

Closing Out the Week with Gratitude. As we head into Thanksgiving break, we’re feeling extra thankful for our LOA family and the incredible ways our community comes together to make a difference. Last weekend, our Titans laced up their running shoes for the Annual LOA Miracle 5K & Fun Run, benefiting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. 🏃‍♀️✨ It was a wonderful afternoon filled with energy, smiles and support for an amazing cause. Every step helped make a difference for kids and families in need — and we couldn’t be prouder of everyone who joined in! From our runners and volunteers to those who donated or cheered from the sidelines — thank you for helping make this year’s Miracle Run such a success. 💙 Wishing everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving break! LOA is closed next week. 🦃💛

Thankful Thursday 💙💛 We’re so thankful for amazing teachers who create opportunities for our Titans to learn and connect across grade levels! Last week Mrs. Taylor’s 2nd graders took a “field trip” across campus to visit Mrs. Heberling’s 9th grade ELA class. Both classes have been studying Greek mythology—so our 2nd graders dressed up in togas and as Titans to watch the high school students perform scenes from classic myths and showcase their incredible art and comics. Experiences like this remind us how special it is to be ONE Titan family—learning, sharing and growing together. 💙💛

Reading Paws Wednesdays at LOA! 📚 🐾💙 Did you know that every Wednesday, our Titans look forward to one of the sweetest traditions on campus — Reading Paws! 🐶✨Through this program, students build reading confidence by sharing stories with our therapy dogs Kady, Abbey, and HopeJoy. Each week, these gentle pups (and their incredible handlers Merilee Kelly, Steve & Ginny Spurlock, and Hollie Helpler) bring joy, comfort and encouragement to our young readers. We’re so thankful for our Reading Paws friends who help make reading fun, relaxing and full of heart. Best. Reading. Buddies. Ever. 🐾💛📚

The Titan community was thrilled to welcome Dr. Shanita Williams, Mrs. Georgia 2025, to our campus on Friday, November 14! Dr. Williams meet with our 3rd and 4th grade students during PIE times to share an inspiring message about confidence, kindness and making a difference in your community. 💙💛We’re so happy our Titans got to hear from such a remarkable role model who embodies leadership, grace and purpose! ✨

We’re so proud of our students who were recognized at this month’s Board of Governors meeting! 💙📚✨
🎖️ Camden Jeffords (3rd Grade) — First to complete the 30 Book Challenge, inspiring classmates with his love of reading.
🎓 Jane Perez (8th Grade) — Honored as a REACH Georgia Scholar and Cornerstone Student for her dedication, kindness, and leadership.
These outstanding Titans exemplify what it means to learn with passion and lead with heart. 💫

#ONETitan #TitanPride #LOAFamily #AcademicExcellence

Titans Take on UGA! ❤️🤍 LOA high school students spent the day exploring the University of Georgia campus with Mr. Noto, gaining a first-hand look at college life in Athens. From walking the historic North Campus to stepping inside Sanford Stadium, students learned about admissions, academics and what it means to be a Georgia Bulldog. 🐾Experiences like this help our Titans dream big, plan ahead and get excited for the next chapter! 💙💛

LOA Honors 61 Advanced Placement Scholars! ✨🎓 Lake Oconee Academy is proud to recognize 61 students as 2024–2025 AP Scholars, a distinction awarded by the College Board for outstanding achievement on college-level coursework and exams. With an average exam score of 3.69, our Titans continue to set the bar high for academic excellence and college readiness. 💙💛

Real-World Learning in Action! LOA’s Marketing students recently welcomed Hannah Wilcher from Visit Lake Oconee, who shared insights into destination marketing, community partnerships and promoting Lake Oconee as a top Georgia destination.
Students enjoyed learning how marketing strategies come to life right here in our own community — and how creativity, communication and collaboration play a key role in her work. Thank you, Visit Lake Oconee, for inspiring our future marketers! 💙💛

Fractions + Fun = Learning in Action! 🎲 💙 Our 5th-grade Titans kicked off their new fractions unit with a hands-on game called Cover-Up! Students worked together to build, compare and “cover up” fractional values — turning math practice into friendly competition. It’s all part of the Titan way: learning through teamwork, curiosity and a whole lot of fun! ✨📚 #TitanMath #LearningInAction #ONETitan #TitanPride #LOAElementary

LOA Theatre Shines at District Competition! 🎭💙 Congratulations to our talented Thespian Troupe for their powerful performance of A Monster Calls at the District One Act Competition! The judges praised the ensemble’s unity, maturity and emotional depth — and we’re thrilled to announce that our Titans are advancing to State Competition on November 22nd! 🌟
🏆 Award Highlights:
•Bryson Herbert (10th Grade) – Best Actor
•Lillian Garcia-Carreras (11th Grade) – Best Actress
•Linda Cason (11th Grade) and Audrey Lowe (10th Grade) – All-Star Cast
Same as press release, let’s add the students’ grade levels
We couldn’t be prouder of this cast and crew for their hard work, artistry and dedication to storytelling. Bravo, Titans! 👏🎭