Across each school level at GAC, learning extends beyond textbooks and tests. From early grades to senior year, students experience hands-on discovery that connects academic concepts to real-world applications. 

Elementary School: Fifth Graders Release Trout into the Chattahoochee River

Each year, fifth graders experience a memorable intersection of science, stewardship, and faith when they travel to the Chattahoochee River to release trout raised in the Nasmyth Environmental Learning Center. What begins as a classroom observation — watching baby trout hatch from eggs and grow week by week — culminates in a real-world experience that connects students to the life cycles they’ve studied all semester.

Partnering with the Upper Chattahoochee Chapter of Trout Unlimited, students learn firsthand about ecology, conservation, and freshwater habitats. As one 5th-grade student, Leslie, reflected, “It was cool to see the trout go into the water and find their own way in life,” she said. “It’s a really good experience for kids like us to spend time in nature and see God’s creation.”

Middle School: Shaping Rivers, Shaping Understanding

In Middle School science, students explore the powerful forces that shape our planet through a hands-on lab demonstrating how erosion and deposition work together to form river systems. Students actively simulate the forces, testing how changing factors like elevation, water discharge, and sediment load impact the creation of landforms such as deltas, meanders, and oxbow lakes.

Working in teams, students measure, observe, and adjust their models to maintain steady water flow, practicing collaboration and critical thinking that mirror real scientific inquiry used by professional geologists and environmental scientists. “My goal is for them to love science more than they did before they stepped into my classroom,” Soomy Sim, Middle School Science teacher, shared. “They are motivated to see how what they learn in the classroom applies to what they experience and see in life.”

High School: Learning Excursions Bring Lessons to Life

During GAC’s annual Learning Excursion Week, Middle & High School students step beyond the classroom to experience learning that builds independence, curiosity, and connection. This year, students had 16 trips to choose from, 3 for Middle School and 13 for High School, ranging from exploring Spain’s historic cities to mastering practical life skills in Atlanta. Each trip offers opportunities for growth that extend far beyond the school day.

Life Hacks 101

Students on the Life Hacks 101 excursion practiced everyday essentials — meal preparation, car maintenance, financial literacy, home repairs, first aid, and clothing care. “We had three cooking classes that increased in difficulty and independence through the week, culminating in a cooking challenge, where they had a budget to create a menu, go shopping, and then cook for a judge,” Shelly Woodward, High School Teacher said. The week emphasized confidence, responsibility, and real-world readiness.

Charlie, a GAC 10th-grade student, shared about his experience: “I was surprised that cooking was actually fun; I learned a lot about the cooking basics, such as cutting and mixing,” he said. “Everything we learned helps me feel more prepared to be an adult.”

Spain

Meanwhile, another group of High School students traveled abroad for an immersive experience in Salamanca, Spain. Students took small-group Spanish classes, stayed with host families, and participated in cultural workshops like cooking, dance, and guided city tours. Excursions to Ávila, Segovia, and La Alberca deepened their understanding of Spain’s language and traditions. “Students gained confidence using Spanish in real-life situations, and embraced new experiences with curiosity and joy. It was incredible to see their independence, engagement, and connection flourish in Salamanca,” Natalia Medina, High School Spanish Teacher said.

A Schoolwide Commitment to Real-World Learning

From trout tanks to river tables to car repair workshops, GAC’s educational experiences come alive through activities that make learning personal and purposeful. These hands-on opportunities allow GAC students to discover their God-given potential, equipping them with the knowledge, character, and confidence to thrive in every part of life.