Embedded Files
Principal's Corner
Principal's Corner
Dear GAAA Family,
The year is flying by so quickly, and our calendar is full of exciting events! Through it all, God has truly blessed Greater Atlanta Adventist Academy. Despite the long hours, countless meetings, and the busyness that comes with being a principal, I must say that I am truly enjoying my new beginnings here at GAAA.
This joy is because of you—our students, staff, faculty, parents, pastors, alumni, and church lay members. I cannot express enough how deeply I appreciate each one of you.
I hope you enjoy this edition of the Principal’s Corner, where you’ll get a glimpse of the great things God is doing at His school, GAAA, through the united efforts of this amazing community working together for our young people.
Please continue to keep us lifted in prayer. As we strive to do great things for our students, we know the enemy will push back—but together, we will stand firm and continue to build this school for God’s glory!
With gratitude and partnership,
Chantel Bailey-Callender
GAAA Principal
Don’t miss out on important news! Be sure to read the newsletter all the way to the end — there’s something exciting in every section!
Important Dates To Remember
Important Dates To Remember
October 14 | Start of Quarter 2
October 28 | Yearbook Class Field trip (6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)
October 21-23| Week of Prayer (8:00 - 9:00 a.m.)
October 29| GV & BV Basketball Home Games
Girls Varsity Basketball Vs. Cross Keys @ 5:30 p.m.
Boys Varsity Vs. Cross Keys @ 7:00 p.m.
November 1| Bell Choir Performance at New Jerusalem SDA
November 7 | National Honors Society Induction
(10:00-11:00 a.m)
November 8| GAAA Ambassadors at Maranatha SDA (Designated Students)
November 2 | PTSA Parent Teacher Student Association Kick-off Meeting
(Please Note: Need a minimum of 25 parents in attendance for the PTSA Kick-Off Meeting, Nov. 2)
November 18| 12:00 p.m. Noon Dismissal (No Aftercare)
November 18| GAAA GV & BV State Farm Arena Away Game
(1:00 p.m.)
GAAA Girls & Boys Varsity Vs. King's Way Christian School (SWAU Fundraiser)
Support Our Athletic Fundraiser
Support Our Athletic Fundraiser
Although we didn’t reach our goal of selling 100 Hawks tickets by the deadline, the school has absorbed the cost to ensure the event could proceed. We still can reach our goal of selling 100 tickets! Any additional sales will go directly toward supporting our athletic department. Your continued support makes a real difference in cutting cost and helping to send our Girls and Boys Varsity Basketball teams to the SWAU Texas Basketball Tournament. Let's get this done for our students. They are counting on us!
About The 4 H Club
About The 4 H Club
What Is It?
A youth development program that seeks to build leadership, public speaking skills, citizenship, and community service.
A branch of the University of Georgia and UGA Extension Fulton County.
Mission: Assist youth in acquiring knowledge, developing life skills, and forming attitudes that will enable them to become self directing, productive, and contributing members of society.
How is This Accomplished: Through "hands on" learning experiences focused on agricultural and environmental issues, agricultural awareness, leadership, communication skills, food and nutrition, health, energy, conservation and citizenship.
Further Information:
Be on the lookout for more details from the 4-H Club sponsors.
GAAA Implementation Focus Areas for 2025–2026
Gardening & Sustainability: Student-led planting and sustainability projects throughout the year
Community Service & Outreach: Visiting nursing homes and supporting local organizations
Academic Excellence & Scholarships: Recognizing achievement and effort
Fundraising: Proceeds benefit both GAAA and the 4-H Club
Trip: Tentative participation in the Science Festival at Piedmont Park
We’re excited to watch our students grow, serve, and lead through 4-H!
Welcome to Senior World !
We're celebrating the Class of 2026 and all the exciting milestones leading up to graduation!
Thank you, Mr. Ramsey, for the great work you did capturing our senior portraits!
Senior Knighting Ceremony
Senior Knighting Ceremony
The Senior Class, under the sponsorship of Mrs. Hinds and co-sponsor Mr. Clemens, celebrated a special milestone during the Knighting Ceremony as they received their official GAAA Lettermen Jackets—a symbol of pride, commitment, and school spirit. This memorable event recognized their hard work and dedication as GAAA Knights.
Chaplain Brand blessed the class with inspiring words that encouraged them to continue striving for excellence in both faith and scholarship.
A sincere thank-you to all the parents who showed their love and support by decorating, setting up, breaking down, and celebrating their scholars on this meaningful occasion.
GAAA Students Experience OU Live!
Our GAAA students had a wonderful time attending OU Live, where they got a taste of the Oakwood University experience through campus tours, music, dining in the cafeteria, athletics, and much more.
We are also proud of our students who participated in the Saturday Night Basketball Tournament—your effort and sportsmanship made us proud!
A heartfelt thank you to Oakwood University for providing such a memorable and inspiring experience for our students!
GAA Student Ambassadors shine on junior academy recruitment day!
GAA Student Ambassadors shine on junior academy recruitment day!
We are so proud of our GAAA Student Ambassadors who visited four of our junior academy middle school classrooms to share their GAAA experiences, hand out treats, distribute GAAA flyers and encourage students to become future GAAA Knights. We appreciate your dedication and enthusiasm!
Lithonia
Lithonia
Decatur
Decatur
BCJA
BCJA
October 7 Constituency Meeting
October 7 Constituency Meeting
The GAAA constituency meeting, which is typically held in the spring, was recently held at the start of October. This meeting provided an opportunity to share updates on our progress and highlight our vision for the future.
The regular spring constituency meeting is expected to take place in March, and notifications will be shared monthly to ensure that all stakeholders have the opportunity to participate.
You can click here to view the Principal’s Report from the recent meeting.
We appreciate your continued support and partnership as we work together to advance our mission.
Fun Times, Lasting Memories: Spirit Week Highlights
Our students had a wonderful time showing a different side of themselves during Spirit Week. The week was full of creativity, fun, and lasting memories, culminating in a 90’s-themed pep rally in partnership with BCJA. Their cheerleaders delivered a phenomenal performance, followed by a choreographed student performance by our high school group.
Our student-athletes also had the exciting opportunity to be introduced to the student body, with dimmed lights, smoke effects, and enthusiastic announcements over the mic as they ran into the gym. BCJA students had the chance to vote for the high school class that showcased the best class spirit, and congratulations to the Senior Class for winning the Spirit Stick!
Deliberate Practice | Focusing On The Right Work!
Deliberate Practice Teacher Self-Evaluation Goal Setting
Focused on Student Success: How Our Teachers Are at Work
At GAAA, our faculty and staff are intentionally working to ensure students receive the best instruction possible. Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening in our classrooms and professional learning:
Professional Learning Community (PLC) in Action: Teachers meet weekly during third period to analyze student progress, study learning trends and learn collaboratively.
MAP Data Analysis: We review student MAP test results to identify strengths, growth areas, and set SMART goals for each core subject.
Deliberate Practice for Teachers: Instructors are focusing on goal-setting and intentional improvement in their teaching practices in response to the MAP Data.
Instructional Learning Model: Teachers are incorporating the Marzano framework, emphasizing three focus areas: Content, Context, and Feedback.
Personalized Growth Strategies: Each teacher selected specific instructional strategies to enhance their professional development and better support student learning for the 2025-2026 school year.
Our faculty is committed to continuous growth and collaboration, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
GAAA Alumni Weekend
GAAA Choir
Alumni Weekend: Celebrating Our Legacy
The Lord truly blessed as BCJA and GAAA came together to celebrate the long-lasting legacy of both schools. It was amazing to see alumni reunite and share fond memories of their time walking the halls of BCJA and GAAA.
The weekend began with a spirit-filled Singspiration Vespers as Voices of Praise lifted hearts in praise. On Sabbath morning, Berean SDA was packed, and the community was blessed with inspiring videos from former and current leaders, musical selections from the Alumni Praise Team, the BCJA Bell Choir, and the BCJA and GAAA Choirs. The congregation was further inspired by a powerful message from former alumni student John Boston.
Of course, an alumni celebration wouldn’t be complete without fun! Attendees enjoyed volleyball and basketball games, as well as entertainment at Main Event.
We are thankful to God for these enjoyable moments and look forward to next year’s Alumni Weekend!
Alumni Vespers SingSperation
Alumni Vespers SingSperation
Alumni Basketball Game
Alumni Basketball Game
Helping Shape the Future!
thank You SPonsors & Donors
thank You SPonsors & Donors
Over the past several weeks, our generous GAAA family and community supporters have begun making a real difference in the lives of our students to continue the legacy of Black excellence.
Here’s how your support is already making an impact:
Donations toward scholarships and tuition assistance
Donations assisted with renewing our technology Microsoft Certification online curriculum
Gifts have allowed us to add seating in our science lab
Support is helping offset costs for athletes attending the SWAU Texas Basketball Tournament (we’re still working to fully meet the need)
Donations are enhancing classroom learning with additional educational books and resources
Funds have helped repair choir bells and support our music program (raising funds to add another bell octave so more students can join bells)
Contributions are building toward the GAAA Bus Fundraiser—our greatest ongoing need, as the athletic department frequently has to rent transportation almost bi-weekly for athletes to attend non-home games.
Community members have proposed upcoming mentoring programs for our students
Dollar Tree donated resources towards the athletic department
Even a small contribution can go a long way. Family, friends, church members and individuals who want to continue Black excellence and help shape the lives of young scholars can make a monthly contribution of $25–$100 or more to continue the GAAA legacy. We’ve heard your concerns and have worked to make it easier to keep you informed of the areas of need and ways to give—simply click here or the link below to make a direct donation. Be sure to share the link and download it to your phone as an app.
Every gift, no matter the size, brings us closer to our goals and helps ensure that GAAA students continue to grow academically, spiritually, and socially. Thank you for partnering with us in this important work!
GAAA Bus Letter.pdf“Every generation builds the future; it’s our turn to leave a legacy of excellence.” – Anonymous
“Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1 (paraphrased)
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