Wildwood Celebrates Five Years of Growth
February, 2008

By: Melissa Lowrie

Wildwood Christian Academy is celebrating its fifth academic year. In August of 2003 Wildwood opened with fifteen students and three full time teachers. The students were in two classrooms, temporarily meeting in the Big Canoe Scout Hut in grades K through 5th. In August of 2007 Wildwood began the year with ninety students, a staff of eighteen, and a beautiful, wooded campus on Whitley Road South in Marble Hill.

In addition to the significant enrollment increase, Wildwood has accomplished in a few short years what many independent schools strive much longer to attain. Most importantly, in 2005, Wildwood was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SACS, and the Southern Association of Independent Schools. In the same year they became members of Georgia Independent Schools Association, GISA. Being recognized by such prestigious organizations so early in the life of a school is not only impressive, but necessary for any college preparatory school. As a member of GISA, along with The Westminster Schools, Woodward Academy, Darlington School, and 151 other Georgia private schools, Wildwood shares a commitment to overall excellence and nurturing for the physical, intellectual, social and moral development of its students.

In the next two years Wildwood plans to break ground on their permanent school buildings at the corner of Steve Tate and Cove Road in Marble Hill. Along with state-of-the-art academic facilities, plans include a gymnasium, ball fields, auditorium, and meditation garden. Wildwood founders, Larry and Pamela Ruff, state that in the coming years, adding a high school is part of their vision, “It has always been our vision to have preschool through high school at Wildwood. While it is difficult to give a month and a year when the full growth will occur, we know that when the time is right, the need exists and Wildwood is able to establish high school with the highest standards possible, Wildwood will add high school and complete our full growth.”

For more information about Wildwood Christian Academy, please call (770)893-3300 or visit www.wildwoodchristianacademy.com . Wildwood currently offers preschool through 8th grade and is accepting applications for the 2008-2009 academic year.

ADD PICTURE OF SCOUT HUT WITH ORIGINAL 15 CHILDREN ADD PICTURE OF LYN, DONNA AND CHUCK TAYLOR ADD PICTURE OF 18-20 TEACHERS (need to assemble and take picture) ADD CURRENT STUDENT GROUP PICTURE FOR 2008 (same as on Christmas card)