Diversity at GAC
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Celebrating Diversity on Campus
![Charles Edwards]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1660050718/greateratlantachristianorg/jya17wdao07pm8bff2rx/charles-1-4.jpg","width":215}])
“We know that we are only as strong as our most vulnerable. It’s in challenging times that we must forgo comfort and convenience in order to continue the hard work of creating a climate and culture where every member of the GAC community feels supported and uplifted. This will be the ultimate measure of our mission and the legacy we leave behind—how we love and honor Christ through the way we fully love and honor one another.”
Director of Diversity
Did You Know?
GAC is blessed with a diverse school community that strives to be a reflection of Christian Atlanta. We remain committed to continuing to grow in our hiring and retention of a diverse, highly qualified, faithful team.
Breakdown of Student Body Demographics
In addition, 38% of recent hires have been faculty/staff of color
Meet our Diversity Team
The primary goal of the Diversity Team is to improve the school’s cultural climate for all students, faculty, and staff. The team seeks to identify needs and implement initiatives that reinforce God’s values of diversity throughout the GAC community.
Charles Edwards
Director of Diversity
Jermaine Fields
Teacher
Susan Kim
Teacher
Natalia Medina
Teacher
The Manley Family: A History of Diversity
Celebrating GAC’s Diversity
![GAC 5th Grader, Noah Kim, selected as an American Heart Association National Youth Heart Ambassador]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1740076916/greateratlantachristianorg/q3v9uxmq6lxvjp6qlnio/Untitleddesign8.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1740076916/greateratlantachristianorg/q3v9uxmq6lxvjp6qlnio/Untitleddesign8.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1740076916/greateratlantachristianorg/q3v9uxmq6lxvjp6qlnio/Untitleddesign8.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1740076916/greateratlantachristianorg/q3v9uxmq6lxvjp6qlnio/Untitleddesign8.png","width":940}])
Noah Kim is a 5th grader at GAC, but his life journey is unlike most. Before being born, Noah’s parents, Susan & Keedai, found out that their son would be born with three congenital heart defects. At only six days old, Noah underwent his first open-heart surgery. Noah had his second open heart surgery at two and a half years old.
![Sydni Hope, Class of 2026, Recognized in RoughDraft Atlanta 20 Under 20]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1736952726/greateratlantachristianorg/kziuy8dnvyjwuzh1wec6/Hope_Sydni.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1736952726/greateratlantachristianorg/kziuy8dnvyjwuzh1wec6/Hope_Sydni.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1736952726/greateratlantachristianorg/kziuy8dnvyjwuzh1wec6/Hope_Sydni.jpg","width":748}])
For RoughDraft Atlanta, the “Meet our 20 Under 20 Honorees for 2025” article is a place where students are recognized for their deep involvement in the community. These individuals, typically high school students, are engaged with those around them, service-oriented, and are true leaders of their community.
![GAC Student Explores Construction Careers Through UGA Program]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1740400717/greateratlantachristianorg/surmzdguqvk0bleojhxm/IveyConstruction.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1740400717/greateratlantachristianorg/surmzdguqvk0bleojhxm/IveyConstruction.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1740400717/greateratlantachristianorg/surmzdguqvk0bleojhxm/IveyConstruction.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1740400717/greateratlantachristianorg/surmzdguqvk0bleojhxm/IveyConstruction.jpg","width":810}])
GAC junior Ivey recently participated in a unique opportunity designed to introduce high school girls to careers in construction. Hosted by the Athens Area Women in Construction in partnership with the UGA College of Environment and Design, the free summer camp provided hands-on experience in construction-related fields.
![GAC Welcomes Dr. Howard, Professor of Ethics and Reconciliation, on Campus]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1628616559/greateratlantachristianorg/yc2uc5xaldgrpxa7yw2g/AaronHoward.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1628616559/greateratlantachristianorg/yc2uc5xaldgrpxa7yw2g/AaronHoward.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1628616559/greateratlantachristianorg/yc2uc5xaldgrpxa7yw2g/AaronHoward.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1628616559/greateratlantachristianorg/yc2uc5xaldgrpxa7yw2g/AaronHoward.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1628616559/greateratlantachristianorg/yc2uc5xaldgrpxa7yw2g/AaronHoward.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1628616559/greateratlantachristianorg/yc2uc5xaldgrpxa7yw2g/AaronHoward.jpg","width":2200}])
"Let's teach children to celebrate their differences and to embrace the Imago Dei within each other. Let's free them from the burden of hate by showing them Christ's love." - Dr. Aaron Howard
![GAC Alumni Passes Georgia Anti-Hate Crimes Act]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1598276631/greateratlantachristianorg/ftkj7vxnmxhczy3gf1qn/hatecrimebill-2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1598276631/greateratlantachristianorg/ftkj7vxnmxhczy3gf1qn/hatecrimebill-2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1598276631/greateratlantachristianorg/ftkj7vxnmxhczy3gf1qn/hatecrimebill-2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1598276631/greateratlantachristianorg/ftkj7vxnmxhczy3gf1qn/hatecrimebill-2.jpg","width":1024}])
GAC alumni Chuck Efstration (Class of 2001) authored and helped to pass Georgia’s new Anti-Hate Crimes Act, which received national attention this year and was recently signed into law. Georgia previously had been one of four states without a hate crime law.
![GAC Student Leaders Use Music to Highlight Black History]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1582918502/greateratlantachristianorg/nvln0c7wqiyqmimpmxsp/4I9A9862_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1582918502/greateratlantachristianorg/nvln0c7wqiyqmimpmxsp/4I9A9862_1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1582918502/greateratlantachristianorg/nvln0c7wqiyqmimpmxsp/4I9A9862_1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1582918502/greateratlantachristianorg/nvln0c7wqiyqmimpmxsp/4I9A9862_1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1582918502/greateratlantachristianorg/nvln0c7wqiyqmimpmxsp/4I9A9862_1.jpg","width":1500}])
“Music embodies the words we can’t express. It comforts us during our deepest tragedies and fuels us during our greatest triumphs. More importantly, it unites us. Black History Month is not just for African Americans. The music you will hear today is woven into all of our lives” shared Simone Roberts, GAC’s Student Leader of Unity, who then proceeded to further describe the reason for the day’s special chapel assembly.
![International Student Program: The Wilsons and Jacky Zhang ‘18]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1592858632/greateratlantachristianorg/ymqkacd74jcnjjzdpwmi/Jacky2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1592858632/greateratlantachristianorg/ymqkacd74jcnjjzdpwmi/Jacky2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1592858632/greateratlantachristianorg/ymqkacd74jcnjjzdpwmi/Jacky2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1592858632/greateratlantachristianorg/ymqkacd74jcnjjzdpwmi/Jacky2.jpg","width":960}])
Hosting an international student forms one family out of two.
While school nurse Kristen Wilson was palming warm foreheads and administering inhalers to Elementary students, back at home there were two Crock-Pots slowcooking dinner for her family. The newest addition, Zhang '18, was an active six-foot teenager who ate like one.
![I Have a Dream Chapel Brings it Home]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1574087968/greateratlantachristianorg/abcmqxa3bbvnch9udqpy/blackhistory.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1574087968/greateratlantachristianorg/abcmqxa3bbvnch9udqpy/blackhistory.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1574087968/greateratlantachristianorg/abcmqxa3bbvnch9udqpy/blackhistory.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1574087968/greateratlantachristianorg/abcmqxa3bbvnch9udqpy/blackhistory.png","width":960}])
Victoria Chyrack helped close out Black History Month in a big way. This senior felt motivated to organize GAC’s first ever I Have A Dream Chapel. From "Feeling Good" with the trombone back up, to a choral rendition of “It's a New Dawn, It's a New Day” to “September” by the GAC Band, the assembly was one of the most moving this year.
![High School Chapel Welcomes Year of the Pig]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1574087966/greateratlantachristianorg/i1bsycqnhdfz12ahx2jw/chinesenewyear.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1574087966/greateratlantachristianorg/i1bsycqnhdfz12ahx2jw/chinesenewyear.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1574087966/greateratlantachristianorg/i1bsycqnhdfz12ahx2jw/chinesenewyear.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1574087966/greateratlantachristianorg/i1bsycqnhdfz12ahx2jw/chinesenewyear.jpg","width":960}])
Last Tuesday, in the high school chapel, the first annual Chinese New Year Celebration began featuring performances of traditional Chinese dance and song from our own International Students.