The second year of The Academy for G.O.D.’s short, but exciting history was a notable one in many ways. The year began strong. We had a 100% re-enrollment rate, and added a group of new students, bringing our total enrollment to 56.
We’ve always relied upon the strength of our teachers, and this year we had over 40 of them. Working with such a sizable and multi-talented group, we were able to offer 70 classes, while at the same time maintaining a minimum student-teacher ratio of 1:7, with many classes making the ratio even smaller! From poetry to electricity, our subjects were taught by knowledgeable teachers working with a group small enough to offer individual attention and care.
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1433868216094-M62G5MQ8ODBENN7HWKO0/15409168038_0c10f11540_k.jpg" alt=" Mr. Munoz is a favorite teacher of many. Alongside being a homeroom teacher, Mr. Munoz teaches health classes, like "Germs" (pictured here).&nbsp; " />
Mr. Munoz is a favorite teacher of many. Alongside being a homeroom teacher, Mr. Munoz teaches health classes, like "Germs" (pictured here).
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1433909685970-OVW5LN26GBRJ44F1UC58/18211827490_42076ef08d_k.jpg" alt=" Skylar Aaseby, technology, coding and engineering teacher, also coached students during their final Fun Day competitions.&nbsp; " />
Skylar Aaseby, technology, coding and engineering teacher, also coached students during their final Fun Day competitions.
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1433868213819-DAE931VMPM0WLSSM3FYU/16236666241_7122ca50c0_k.jpg" alt=" During an icebreaker game, Mr. Davis and Mr. Maute used a snapping, clapping game to get the students to follow specific instructions, listen, and obey.&nbsp; " />
During an icebreaker game, Mr. Davis and Mr. Maute used a snapping, clapping game to get the students to follow specific instructions, listen, and obey.
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1433868214137-2QAO8S3UR8MJSWBULTTN/15489085742_ad4ffd213d_k.jpg" alt=" Jen Nyago facilitates "socio-cultural games" a weekly activity that exposes students to a variety of games from different cultures.&nbsp; " />
Jen Nyago facilitates "socio-cultural games" a weekly activity that exposes students to a variety of games from different cultures.
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1433868217773-JBVJ5O6HJJ1PL703GMPK/15371423244_55cfdef63e_k.jpg" alt=" Mr. Ownby is one of the most energetic "Songs" teachers around. Here, he teaches chapel participants songs from Uganda.&nbsp;&nbsp; " />
Mr. Ownby is one of the most energetic "Songs" teachers around. Here, he teaches chapel participants songs from Uganda.
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1433868219794-PVQNJCBLO2I4IQ75RWOJ/15806398770_94870ca0d1_k.jpg" alt=" Adam Loeffler and Jordan Miller talk to Academy students at chapel about children in Africa. They shared how many students in Uganda&nbsp;lack the opportunities they have. It was a moving time for many students to compare their life experience with " />
Adam Loeffler and Jordan Miller talk to Academy students at chapel about children in Africa. They shared how many students in Uganda lack the opportunities they have. It was a moving time for many students to compare their life experience with others in a desperate context.
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1433868221127-6DNDP81UKNAI2FLKAKR5/15302514329_4e34d0ea4e_k.jpg" alt=" Jaimee Arroyo teaches the kindergartners songs in Spanish.&nbsp; " />
Jaimee Arroyo teaches the kindergartners songs in Spanish.
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1433868223255-AQJ7EXGIGWBAAPUTYE8D/15669691605_52cbf4af79_k.jpg" alt=" Jason Roufs, Director of Education for G.O.D. International and ex-pro soccer player, ensures that all of our students are up to par with coordination, balance, and of course--soccer.&nbsp; " />
Jason Roufs, Director of Education for G.O.D. International and ex-pro soccer player, ensures that all of our students are up to par with coordination, balance, and of course--soccer.
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1433868223917-SY0H50PCDM8SCHQ0I18S/15169523934_377239ffb2_k.jpg" alt=" Joel Olson, our building and design instructor, takes students to the workshop to engage in a collaborative project together.&nbsp; " />
Joel Olson, our building and design instructor, takes students to the workshop to engage in a collaborative project together.
Individual attention and care is something we value very highly. That’s why we were excited to launch a special tutoring program. This program is federally funded under Title 1, and it allows us to offer supplemental tutoring for students who need specialized help in a particular subject.
Our student body is also growing up. We added several older students this year. We are dedicated to meet the particular needs of each age group. Around the age of nine, we offer students a series of electives. These electives are in more concentrated subjects, which allows a student to study a particular aspect of one of our three main disciplines: Language Arts, Creative Arts, and STEM. This year, we offered classes in repurposing, germs, word puzzles, poetry, and painting, just to name a few. Students were able to choose from a diverse collection of classes, in addition to their set courses of Bible, writing, and reading.
A highlight of the spring semester was Grandparents’ Day, a special day set aside to welcome students’ grandparents and special family members. Visitors attended a class, toured our property, enjoyed a special meal, and watched a student performance--complete with songs, dance, and even a rap. The students worked diligently to prepare for Grandparents’ Day, and it was definitely a success. We had 55 guests attend!
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1433869778587-1EVHVY3XWM6BM960ZO6Y/17469027433_e295159e0b_k.jpg" alt=" Lunch was served by the students themselves, who displayed the manners they've learned in their etiquette classes.&nbsp; " />
Lunch was served by the students themselves, who displayed the manners they've learned in their etiquette classes.
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1433869776878-VBT1UB67E45MCRQ995CZ/17901671588_7bfed18dab_k.jpg" alt=" Our "kinders" made their own books--a practice in learning to spell words as they sound and illustrating the narratives they came up with.&nbsp; " />
Our "kinders" made their own books--a practice in learning to spell words as they sound and illustrating the narratives they came up with.
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1433869776894-E6BF92KJAA1QSAH0SQM5/18086187232_014c913b26_k.jpg" alt=" Grandchildren could participate in the "Photo Booth" alongside their special guests, complete with adequate props of course.&nbsp; " />
Grandchildren could participate in the "Photo Booth" alongside their special guests, complete with adequate props of course.
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1433869777330-72M9MHSGMIND8LJ2V2I2/17469034733_14c319c62f_k.jpg" alt=" Grandparents enjoyed classes like "How Stuff Works," a class that allows students to explore the concepts of engineering and technology according to their own curiosity.&nbsp; " />
Grandparents enjoyed classes like "How Stuff Works," a class that allows students to explore the concepts of engineering and technology according to their own curiosity.
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1433869779778-W0G6QQXUNN4K2LXMSPVF/17466999774_cccb77d29d_k.jpg" alt=" One grandmother's&nbsp;favorite part of the day was going to gardening class with her grandson--a hobby she herself is interested in.&nbsp; " />
One grandmother's favorite part of the day was going to gardening class with her grandson--a hobby she herself is interested in.
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1433869792700-2HB6TCWSUSAOMY449I1Y/18089592325_3d36b43451_k.jpg" alt=" Michael Davis, Director of Resource Management, gave grandparents a tour of the G.O.D. International property, explaining future plans for the Academy of G.O.D.&nbsp; " />
Michael Davis, Director of Resource Management, gave grandparents a tour of the G.O.D. International property, explaining future plans for the Academy of G.O.D.
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1433869777954-PMGG8A3RQTS8HP6XKZ9J/17467009504_8142e87ddd_k.jpg" alt=" Kindergartners learned from Jesus' parable of the sower that you have to obey--even when it's hard, even when you don't want to, displaying humility.&nbsp; " />
Kindergartners learned from Jesus' parable of the sower that you have to obey--even when it's hard, even when you don't want to, displaying humility.
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1433869778095-1R23H0IUBQKXZHQI7TS8/18063057856_3f1648f2b6_k.jpg" alt=" A highlight of the Grandparents Day performance was a rap about Moses calling the Israelites out of Egypt. As emcee Rob Munoz said, "how could you not remember the story when you learned it like this?" " />
A highlight of the Grandparents Day performance was a rap about Moses calling the Israelites out of Egypt. As emcee Rob Munoz said, "how could you not remember the story when you learned it like this?"
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1433869777543-0FR4H2YXQMTLGIC12MJX/17469017803_4de4e91c86_k.jpg" alt=" Each class performed a musical number that they learned from a variety of classes, from Anatomy to Gardening to Bible.&nbsp; " />
Each class performed a musical number that they learned from a variety of classes, from Anatomy to Gardening to Bible.
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1433869778574-6IHRPVIFBXMQ8NILFHUT/17469045573_eddf7caba3_k.jpg" alt=" We are fairly certain that each and every grandparent felt loved and special.&nbsp; " />
We are fairly certain that each and every grandparent felt loved and special.
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1433869779221-T7W8KXLL8IQKFY9ONUDI/17903345629_7bd2c511bc_k.jpg" alt=" Fresh produce and the process of growing it together was on display.&nbsp; " />
Fresh produce and the process of growing it together was on display.
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1433869779167-YE2NOEPT69I0DPO7RKAA/17901669148_a7eeee9f0a_k.jpg" alt=" With much anticipation, students welcomed their honored guests to the special day.&nbsp; " />
With much anticipation, students welcomed their honored guests to the special day.
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1433869791670-9STP11TWCETY4E9WEFW2/18089566625_b77d8cb32c_k.jpg" alt=" One of the most important things about our school is that our students have fun! They also are not afraid of performing.&nbsp; " />
One of the most important things about our school is that our students have fun! They also are not afraid of performing.
We were so incredibly blown away by grandparents' day! The meal was elegant and amazing, but when the kids came out to serve the salads and drinks, it brought tears to my eyes. The students here are being taught so many useful skills at such a young age. The enthusiasm of the teachers was evident and they make everything they teach so fun, that a child can't help but remember the experience. They aren't just being taught "to the test" like they are in most schools these days. I sure hope these kids never have to go to another school, because they would be bored to tears. The Academy for G.O.D. is awesome!! --Cathy G., Bluffton, South Carolina
Every year is an opportunity to grow and learn, and we always strive to be better. Our students are worth the effort. As students take a pause for the summer, we are continuing to work. We are currently preparing a new school building. The 6,000 square foot structure will replace our current 2,000 one, and will hold 200 students alongside our staff. Along with the practical needs of construction, we are also working to develop our teachers, our curriculum, and our methods. Our students are growing, and we are prepared to grow our school with them.
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