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Pace Academy
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Pace Academy is a K–12 private, college preparatory school located at 966 West Paces Ferry Road in the Buckhead area of Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Pace has approximately 1,115 students.
Key Information
History
[edit]
Pace Academy was founded in Atlanta in 1959 in response to the successful challenge of Atlanta Public Schools' segregationist policies in federal court. Pace Academy was founded as a de facto all-white school and was among the private schools attended by white children whose parents did not want them going to public schools with African-Americans.[3][4] Although the school is not affiliated with a specific church or religion, it adheres to Judeo-Christian values; it places a major emphasis on character development.[5]
Pace Academy is on 37 acres in Atlanta's Buckhead neighborhood. Pace Academy was incorporated on June 30, 1958, with an initial enrollment of 178 students, to " train and educate children and operate a school and kindergarten." Frank Kaley was hired as Pace's first headmaster in 1959.
In 1964, Pace graduated its first class, with 13 students receiving diplomas. Pace accepted its first African-American student, a kindergartener, in 1966.[6]
In 1972, George G. Kirkpatrick assumed leadership of the school. Although from its incorporation, Pace was accredited by the Georgia Accreditation Committee for its educational programs, 1973 saw the accreditation of Pace by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 1976, the Randall property adjacent to Pace became available, and a fundraising drive was launched to purchase the property.
Peter Cobb became headmaster in 1994, the same year the Castle was officially named Kirkpatrick Hall in honor of George G. Kirkpatrick, who had led Pace through its most significant growth.
Following Cobb's resignation in 1996, Michael A. Murphy, who had served as head of Lower School for seven years, served as Interim Headmaster until February 1997, when he was named headmaster. In the spring of 1997, the Hugh M. Inman Foundation donated $2 million to launch the Educating for Life—Pace 2000 capital campaign, which had a goal of $16 million. During Murphy's tenure, Pace began a campaign to build a new Middle School.
In the fall of 2005, the fifth Head of the School was appointed, Fred Assaf. In 2007, the school resolved longstanding issues with the neighborhood association and entered into an agreement that preserved the small size of Pace whilst expanding the facilities to accommodate a moderate increase in enrollment. As a part of this plan, Pace realized its need to acquire expanded athletic facilities and acquired two parcels, an eight-acre baseball/softball complex on Warren Road and a 23-acre tract on Riverview Road in Cobb County, which now has a stadium for soccer, lacrosse, and football with seating for 2000, a track & field facility, an additional soccer/lacrosse/football field, a baseball field and stadium, and a softball field and stadium. Development of the softball field and the renovation of the baseball field were funded by the sale of the Warren Road complex to The Galloway School in 2016.[7]
During the summer of 2012, Pace Academy launched a new capital campaign to build a new high school. The campaign's lead donor was Arthur Blank, who was both the owner of the Atlanta Falcons and a Pace parent. The Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School officially opened on August 18, 2014.[8]
Awards and recognition
[edit]During the 2004–05 school year, Pace Academy was recognized with the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education.[9][10]
School programs
[edit]Pace Academy also has a robotics team for both Middle and Upper School, the Roboknights. The Middle School team participates in the FIRST Lego League, while the Upper School team participates in the FIRST Tech Challenge.[11]
The school's Isdell Center for Global Leadership runs global education programs.[12]
Sports programs
[edit]The baseball team won the Georgia Class A State Championship from 1993 to 1995, all of which included future Major League Baseball player Michael Barrett.[13]
The boys' soccer team won the final three Fall Soccer League championships (2002 to 2004) and finished second nationally in the final NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches of America) poll during the fall of 2003.[14] In its first season in the GHSA Spring League in 2006, the team captured the Class AA/A State Championship and finished 19th nationally[15] and 5th in Region II in the Final NSCAA poll.[16]
In 2006, the school announced plans to add a football team, with varsity play scheduled to begin in 2009. For most of its existence, the school focused on its soccer and baseball programs, opting to take part in a smaller fall soccer season to allow players to play baseball in the spring. However, the cancellation of the fall soccer season left the spring season the only option, leading the school to develop a football program.[17]
In fall 2010, after a 9–1 regular season, the Pace Knights football team made its first GHSA playoff appearance.
Notable alumni
[edit]- Jamaree Salyer (2018), LA Chargers
- Michael Barrett (1995), baseball player[18]
- Wendell Carter Jr. (2017), basketball player[19]
- Matthew Cleveland (2021), basketball player[20]
- Randy Harrison (1996), actor, Queer as Folk[21]
- Deon Jackson (2017), football player
- Clay Johnson (1995), technologist
- Sarah-Elizabeth Langford (1996), Miss America and Miss USA contestant[22]
- Rich Middlemas (1993), film producer, Undefeated[23]
- Lydia Dean Pilcher (1976), film and television producer
- Tyler Prochnow (1984), team owner, sports agent, entrepreneur, Kansas City Command[24][25]
- Kenny Selmon (2014), track and field athlete
- Sam Sloman (2016), football player[26]
- Andrew Thomas (2017), football player
- Bryson Tiller (2025-transferred after first year), basketball player[27]
- Matt Towery (1978), writer and attorney
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Search for Private Schools – School Detail for Pace Academy". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
- ^ "Tuition & Financial Aid". paceacademy.org. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
- ^ Henry, Elizabeth E., "Halting White Flight: Atlanta's Second Civil Rights Movement." Dissertation, Georgia State University, 2012.https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/history_diss/31
- ^ Purdy, Michelle A. (February 2016). "Blurring public and private: the pragmatic desegregation politics of an elite private school in Atlanta". History of Education Quarterly. 56 (1): 61–89. doi:10.1111/hoeq.12149. S2CID 152265272.
- ^ "Admissions FAQs - Pace Academy". www.paceacademy.org. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
- ^ Michael Gannon, "From White Flight to Open Admissions: The Founding and Integration of Private Schools in the City of Atlanta, 1951–1967" (Master's thesis, Georgia State University, 2004).
- ^ "AJC.com: Atlanta Georgia News, AJC Sports, Atlanta Weather". ajc.
- ^ "Pace Academy opens new Upper School". Reporter Newspapers. August 19, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
- ^ "Atlanta Schools Named No Child Left Behind Blue-Ribbon School", Atlanta Inquirer, October 2, 2004. Accessed November 9, 2007.
- ^ U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 2003 through 2006 (PDF), United States Department of Education. Accessed May 11, 2006.
- ^ "RoboKnights". RoboKnights Wiki. Retrieved January 31, 2010.
- ^ "Isdell Center for Global Leadership - Pace Academy". www.paceacademy.org. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
- ^ "Legendary Baseball Coaches Celebrate Milestone Season". Buckhead, GA Patch. April 10, 2011. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "High School Boys Fall Rankings -- National, Nov. 24, 2003 - Week 11". National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Retrieved January 31, 2010.
{{cite web}}:|archive-url=is malformed: timestamp (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "High School Spring Rankings Boys, National Last Poll - June 13, 2006". National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved January 31, 2010.
- ^ "High School Spring Rankings Boys, Region II Last Poll - June 13, 2006". National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved January 31, 2010.
- ^ "Unknown title". Pace Academy. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2010.
- ^ "Barrett passes on Clemson, signs with Expos", The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, June 10, 1995. Accessed November 9, 2007. "For most folks, the entire experience might be overwhelming, but when former Pace Academy shortstop Michael Barrett signed a professional contract Friday with the Montreal Expos, it seemed to his family like little more than the ordinary course of business."
- ^ Spears, Marc (April 14, 2017). "Duke signee Wendell Carter Jr and his parents have basketball in the blood and academics on their minds". Andscape. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
- ^ "Matthew Cleveland College Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
- ^ "SPEED READS" Archived November 12, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 12, 2001. Accessed November 9, 2007. " Harrison, a 1996 graduate of Pace Academy in Buckhead, stars in Showtime's "Queer as Folk," which depicts the lives and loves of a group of gay men and lesbians."
- ^ "FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR", The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, June 13, 1996. Accessed November 9, 2007. "Blessed with a lot of natural talent, a positive attitude, and an unusual amount of inner strength, Pace Academy's Sarah-Elizabeth Langford used those qualities to become a two-sport standout for the Lady Knights."
- ^ "Pace Academy - Rich Middlemas '93 Wins Oscar". PaceAcademy.org. Archived from the original on March 10, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
- ^ "Brigade getting warm K.C. reception". LJWorld.com. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
- ^ "Knight Times Fall 2013". ISSUU.com. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
- ^ "Sam Sloman - Football". Miami RedHawks football. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
- ^ Polacheck, Jacob (November 4, 2022). "Bryson Tiller, The hometown kid, shines bright at Overtime Elite". The Atlanta Voice.
External links
[edit]
Pace Academy
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History
Founding and Early Years (1958–1965)
Pace Academy was chartered on February 11, 1958, by educator Jane Tuggle as a for-profit corporation aimed at training and educating children, and it was formally incorporated on June 30, 1958.[3] The school opened in September 1958 on a 20-acre estate at 966 West Paces Ferry Road in Atlanta's Buckhead neighborhood, previously the home of banker John Ogden and known as "the Castle," which had stood vacant since 1948.[3] [2] Classes initially operated within the mansion, which served multiple functions including as a library and lunchroom, while the surrounding grounds hosted early traditions like May Day celebrations amid blooming azaleas.[2] The founding effort drew support from local leaders, including Mills B. Lane, president of the Citizens and Southern National Bank, which held the Ogden property in trust and facilitated its acquisition.[3] [2] Frank D. Kaley was hired as the first headmaster, where he established the school's core identity, motto, and values emphasizing courage, excellence, and care for others.[3] [2] Initial enrollment comprised 150 students from kindergarten through seventh grade, though some accounts report 178 applicants reflecting early interest.[3] [2] The institution transitioned to nonprofit status shortly after opening to align with its educational mission.[3] Facility expansions began with renovations to the estate from 1958 to 1962, followed by the construction of the first dedicated academic building in 1961, which included classrooms, a cafeteria, library, and athletic fields.[3] [2] By 1964, the school had added upper grades, culminating in its inaugural graduating class of 12 to 13 students.[3] [2] Tuggle was later removed from leadership amid operational challenges, allowing Kaley and supporters like Lane to solidify the school's direction.[3]Integration and Expansion (1966–1990s)
In 1967, Pace Academy's board of trustees unanimously voted to admit the school's first Black student, marking it as one of the earliest Atlanta independent schools to integrate voluntarily, after operating as an all-white institution since its founding in 1958.[3] This step occurred amid broader regional tensions over public school desegregation following federal court challenges to Atlanta's segregated policies, though Pace's enrollment remained predominantly white for years thereafter.[3] Enrollment expanded notably during the 1970s under headmaster George G. Kirkpatrick, who succeeded Frank D. Kaley in 1972 and oversaw growth from roughly 375 students to 830 by the decade's end.[2] The 1971–1972 academic year alone saw an influx of 100 new students, necessitating faculty increases and the launch of debate and service learning programs.[3] Campus infrastructure kept pace with this demographic shift. The Boyd Gymnasium opened in 1966, dedicated to benefactor William T. Boyd.[3] By 1971–1972, additions included new classrooms, Bridges Hall library, a natatorium, and tennis courts to support the larger student body.[3] In 1976, the school acquired adjacent Randall family property to house expanding fine arts instruction.[3] Further enhancements followed in the 1980s. A 1983 Lower School classroom wing was appended to Randall House, accompanied by a new playground and upgrades to science labs, computer facilities, and the library.[3] The period culminated in the September 18, 1990, opening of a dedicated Fine Arts Center, which received an award from the Atlanta Chapter of the American Institute of Architects in 1991 for its design.[3] These developments reflected sustained investment in facilities amid steady institutional maturation.[3]Modern Developments (2000s–Present)
In 2000, Pace Academy dedicated the Inman Student Activities Center, which included enhanced athletic facilities, a cafeteria, and faculty offices.[3] This was followed by the completion of the Garcia Family Middle School in August 2004, featuring 25 classrooms, science labs, and a 200-seat natatorium.[3] During the 2004–2005 school year, the U.S. Department of Education recognized Pace with the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence.[8] Fred Assaf assumed the role of Head of School in fall 2005, leading subsequent expansions under the Board of Trustees' long-range master campus plan.[3] In 2007, the school reached an agreement with the West Paces Ferry Neighborhood Association and acquired an 8-acre baseball and softball complex along with a 23-acre tract on Riverview Road to support athletic and programmatic growth.[3] The Global Education program launched in 2009, emphasizing international experiences for students.[3] Major facilities opened in August 2014, including the Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School—a 75,000-square-foot academic building—and Walsh Field for athletics, fulfilling key elements of the campus plan.[3] That year also saw the establishment of the Isdell Center for Global Leadership to foster leadership skills.[3] In July 2020, amid national discussions on equity, Pace published an Action Plan for Racial Equity outlining internal commitments to diversity and inclusion.[3] The Accelerate Pace capital campaign launched later that year to fund further infrastructure, including a two-phased approach prioritizing lower school enhancements.[3] The Kam Memar Lower School, a 36,500-square-foot facility with updated classrooms, opened on October 13, 2021, marking a milestone in early education infrastructure.[3] Enrollment has remained stable at approximately 1,150 students from pre-first through grade 12 as of 2025.[9]Campus and Facilities
Main Campus Features
The main campus of Pace Academy occupies 34 acres at 966 West Paces Ferry Road NW in Atlanta's Buckhead neighborhood, featuring gardens, athletic fields, and academic buildings integrated into a historic landscape.[10] [11] The site's centerpiece is the Castle, the original Pace family residence with an arched entryway, towering turrets, and leaded windows, from which views extend over the surrounding facilities.[10] Academic infrastructure includes the Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School, a four-story, 78,000-square-foot structure containing 40 classrooms, a three-story library, science and computer laboratories, an academic resource center, college counseling offices, and a roof terrace.[12] [13] The Kam Memar Lower School addition, a three-story, 36,500-square-foot building opened in 2022, provides STEAM and design classrooms, expanded academic resources, and soundproof music and strings practice spaces.[14] [15] Athletic amenities on the main campus encompass the Inman Center gymnasium, Boyd Gym, a natatorium, an indoor jogging track, gymnastics and wrestling areas, a climbing wall, tennis courts, practice fields, and a fitness center.[16] [17] The Fine Arts Center supports visual arts with studios for painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, a traditional darkroom, and a computer lab.[18] Additional outdoor features include fields such as Noonan Upper Field and Lower Field, alongside tennis courts.[19]Infrastructure Expansions
Pace Academy has pursued infrastructure expansions primarily through capital campaigns to accommodate growing enrollment and enhance facilities. In August 2012, the school launched the $32 million "Aim High" campaign, supported by a lead gift from Arthur Blank, to fund construction of the Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School—a four-story, 76,000-square-foot building completed for the 2014–2015 academic year.[20][13] In January 2020, Pace initiated the $50 million Accelerate Pace campaign, which financed the Kam Memar Lower School addition and renovations—a three-story, 36,500-square-foot expansion that replaced modular units and opened on April 19, 2022.[21][22][23] A subsequent phase targets restoration of the school's 1931 "Castle" building, originally the Peachtree Road estate.[21] On November 21, 2024, the Board of Trustees approved an updated Master Campus Plan to address parking shortages, improve safety features, and upgrade athletics infrastructure on the 34-acre main campus.[24] In September 2025, proposals emerged for a new natatorium and wellness center, to be sited on lots occupied by two existing homes, amid community discussions on traffic and development impacts.[25] Earlier efforts, such as the 1988 $7.5 million campaign for a fine arts building, laid groundwork for these developments.[26]Academic Programs
Lower and Middle School Curriculum
The Lower School at Pace Academy encompasses Pre-First through fifth grade, serving approximately 380 students with an average class size of 20 and a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.5:1 school-wide.[27][28] The curriculum emphasizes foundational academic skills through homeroom instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, and global awareness, supplemented by specialist classes in general music, strings, Spanish, library skills, and physical education.[27] Mathematics utilizes the Everyday Mathematics program, which prioritizes memorization, conceptual understanding, and manipulation of numerical ideas.[28] Language arts instruction progresses from phonics and sight words in early grades to grammar, extensive writing practice, and analytical reading via the Open Court Reading Series.[28] Science features hands-on experiments led by a specialist, covering diverse concepts, while STEAM integration incorporates design thinking, technology, and art to foster problem-solving and creativity.[27][28] Teaching methods blend whole-group lessons with small-group differentiation and play-based activities, including daily morning meetings and closing circles to build community and self-regulation.[27] Character education, embedded across the curriculum via the Noble Knights program, targets traits such as empathy, curiosity, collaboration, respect, leadership, and perseverance through class norms, respectful discourse, and guideline enforcement.[29] Global learning aligns with annual themes from the Isdell Center for Global Leadership, promoting awareness of international issues.[27] Support includes tailored academic challenges, an Academic Resource Center for learning differences, and optional after-school programs like Knight Crew.[27] Historical standardized testing data, such as CTP IV results from 2003, showed above-average performance in reading and math across grades.[28] The Middle School curriculum for grades 6–8 serves about 285 students in classes averaging 16, with 49 dedicated teachers fostering independence alongside core academic rigor.[30] Core subjects include English, emphasizing critical reading, creative thinking, and writing; mathematics, advancing through three years of pre-algebra and algebra; history; integrated science building skills for upper-level physics, chemistry, and biology; and world languages offering French, Latin, or Spanish.[30][28] English sequences cover literary genres, grammar, vocabulary, and composition, with resource lab assistance for skill reinforcement.[28] Rotational discovery courses vary by grade: sixth graders cycle through art, technology studio, drama I, engaged citizenship, and study strategies, plus electives like band, chorus, strings, or STEAM; seventh graders rotate via art, technology studio, drama II, and study strategies; eighth graders include art, Holocaust and Civil Rights studies, technology studio, and study hall.[31][32][33] Exploratory rotations incorporate STEAM, visual arts, music, drama, debate, athletics, and global leadership to match student interests and develop resilience.[30] Instructional approaches prioritize curiosity-driven learning with balanced guidance, early-morning extra help sessions, and a advisory system for transitions.[30] Past SSAT scores, such as grade 6 verbal results from 2002–2003, indicated strong preparatory outcomes.[28] Faculty, averaging 18 years of experience, support differentiated instruction amid the school's overall avoidance of ideological bias in programming.[28][34]Upper School Offerings
Pace Academy's Upper School encompasses grades 9 through 12 and delivers a college-preparatory curriculum emphasizing core academic disciplines alongside opportunities for advanced study and personalization.[35] The program requires 46 total units for graduation, with 42 units in academic subjects—comprising 8 units each in English and mathematics (at minimum through Algebra II), 6 units each in laboratory science (including 2 units each in physics, chemistry, and biology) and history (2 units in U.S. history and 4 in non-U.S. history), and 4 units in world languages (through the third level).[36] Non-unit requirements include physical education, fulfilled through interscholastic athletics or designated fitness courses, and 40 hours of community engagement.[35] [36] Course levels include college preparatory (CP) options for foundational college readiness, 20 honors classes for students demonstrating superior prior performance and test scores, and 25 Advanced Placement (AP) courses enabling acceleration and potential college credit.[35] [36] Students enrolled in AP courses must sit for the corresponding College Board examinations.[35] Post-AP extensions, such as Advanced Topics in Mathematics and Advanced Science Research, provide further depth for high-achieving students.[36] With an average class size of 13 students across approximately 485 Upper School enrollees, the structure supports close faculty-student interaction and faculty-designed challenging content.[35] Typical progression builds sequentially across subjects: ninth graders take courses like World Literature, Geometry, Conceptual Physics, Ancient World Civilizations, and second-level world language; tenth grade advances to British Literature & Postcolonialism, Algebra II, Mathematical Physics, Europe & the World, and third-level language; eleventh grade features Literature of the Americas, Pre-Calculus, AP Biology or Chemistry, AP U.S. History, and fourth-level language; seniors culminate in AP English Literature, Calculus or AP Calculus, AP sciences, AP Economics, and fifth-level or AP language.[36] The remaining 4 units may include academic or non-academic electives in areas such as fine arts, technology, or interdisciplinary studies.[36] The Pathways initiative aids ninth-grade entrants in acclimating to Upper School demands while cultivating social-emotional skills and customized academic trajectories for long-term success.[35] Academic outcomes underscore rigor, with 100% AP exam participation among 2025 seniors and 92% scoring 3 or higher; the overall AP pass rate stands at 91%.[35] [36]Specialized Initiatives and Recognition
Pace Academy maintains specialized initiatives focused on holistic student development, including a comprehensive mental wellness program that integrates proactive, evidence-based strategies and dedicated counseling services to address emotional and psychological needs across all grade levels.[37] This initiative emphasizes building resilience and providing tools for long-term success, with counselors offering individualized support alongside school-wide resources. Complementing this, the Peer Group Connection program, implemented since the early 1990s, promotes social-emotional learning through structured peer mentoring and group activities designed to reduce isolation and enhance interpersonal skills among students.[38] The academy also prioritizes global leadership through innovative experiential learning, such as annual February minimesters that immerse students in themed interdisciplinary projects—for example, the 2023 "Year of Water" initiative combined classroom study with field trips and tours to foster cultural competency and environmental awareness.[39] These efforts extend to broader global programs that encourage cross-cultural engagement and leadership preparation, aligning with the school's mission to cultivate informed world citizens.[9] In recognition of academic excellence, Pace students frequently excel in competitive arenas. In the 2025 MathCounts competition, middle school participants achieved first-place finishes at the school level and placements in the top 5% nationally, with standout performances from individuals like Ryan Sceusi.[40] Upper school debaters, including seniors Arnav Maddineni and Zaki George, qualified for the National Speech and Debate Association's Tournament of Champions in 2025 after early-season success, ranking fourth nationally in public forum debate.[41] Such achievements underscore the rigor of Pace's advanced offerings, which include over 50 honors, Advanced Placement, and beyond-AP courses, yielding a 91% AP exam pass rate in recent years.[42]Athletics Programs
Team Structure and Participation
Pace Academy's athletics program features a tiered structure encompassing middle school (grades 6–8) and upper school (grades 9–12) divisions, with teams organized by sport, gender, and competitive level.[43] Middle school teams emphasize broad participation and skill development through 21 competitive offerings, while upper school teams include varsity, junior varsity (JV), and occasionally freshman levels across 35 squads, competing in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Class AAAA, Region 5.[43] Sports span fall, winter, and spring seasons, with a mix of cut sports (requiring tryouts) and no-cut options to accommodate varying athletic abilities.[43] Participation rates reflect strong student involvement, with over 90% of middle school students joining at least one team, fostering early engagement in team sports and physical activity.[43] In the upper school, more than 80% of students participate in at least one sport annually, supported by the program's alignment with physical education requirements that can be fulfilled through interscholastic competition.[43] [44] This high involvement is facilitated by pre-season interest forms, equipment provisions, and expectations of sportsmanship, though access to varsity positions often depends on tryouts and performance standards.[43] The Knights mascot unites all teams under a shared identity, with rosters typically comprising 10–30 athletes per squad depending on the sport—such as larger groups in football or track versus smaller ones in tennis or golf—drawn from the school's enrollment of approximately 1,150 students.[9] [45] Gender-specific teams predominate (e.g., boys' baseball, girls' lacrosse), alongside co-ed options like cheerleading, ensuring equitable opportunities while adhering to GHSA regulations.[43] Overall, the structure prioritizes competitive excellence alongside inclusive access, contributing to Pace's reputation for robust athletic engagement.[43]Championships and Notable Achievements
Pace Academy's varsity girls volleyball team has dominated Georgia High School Association (GHSA) competition, securing eight consecutive Class 4A state championships from 2017 through 2024, an unprecedented streak in state history.[46][47] The Knights clinched the 2024 title with a straight-sets victory over Cartersville, extending their record while also winning the 2023 championship in a 3-2 comeback against Lovett.[48][49] In cross country, the girls program has amassed multiple GHSA state titles, including four straight Class AA/4A championships from 2020 to 2023, with the 2022 win marking the team's 14th overall state crown in the sport.[50][51] Individual standouts include junior Zahara Bernal, the 2023 Class 4A champion, alongside runner-up Olivia Resnick and third-place finisher Caroline Hood.[50] The boys team captured the 2021 Class 2A state title and placed fourth in 2023, contributing to a sweep of AA titles by both squads that year.[52][50] Earlier successes include the girls' 2004 Class AA victory and the boys' share of the 1987 championship.[53][54] The girls basketball program, under coach Sharman White, has won three GHSA state championships in the past five years, contributing to White's career total of 10 titles across programs.[55] In football, the Knights advanced to the 2024 Class AAAA state championship game, though they fell short of the title.[56] Track and field athletes have earned individual GHSA state titles in events such as the 3200 meters, with performers like Harriet Blaha and Caroline Hood setting school records and gaining All-Metro recognition.[57][58] Notable individual honors include Wendell Carter Jr. being named the 2016-17 Gatorade Georgia Boys Basketball Player of the Year.[4]Extracurricular Activities
Arts, Clubs, and Leadership
Pace Academy provides visual and performing arts programs integrated into its curriculum across grade levels, with extracurricular opportunities for further development. Upper School visual arts courses include photography, ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, and Advanced Placement Art History, while performing arts offerings encompass band, chorus, strings, acting, stagecraft, and Advanced Placement Music Theory.[59] Lower and Middle School programs introduce foundational skills, such as class plays, holiday programs, and instrumental ensembles in grades 4–5, alongside drama and orchestra.[59] The school stages theatrical productions, including Arthur Miller's The Crucible performed on October 22 and 23, 2025, in the Zalik Theater.[59] The Pace Arts Alliance, a parent-led group, supports these initiatives by fundraising and promoting arts engagement among students and families.[60] Students participate in diverse clubs that foster interests and skill-building, with an emphasis on community service and leadership development. Community engagement clubs include Miracle Knights, founded in 2017, which organizes fundraisers like pickleball tournaments, bingo events, and an annual dance marathon to support Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, raising over $11,000 in the prior year.[61] Glamour Gals, restarted in 2023, pairs students with elderly residents at Corso Atlanta for relationship-building activities focused on memory care, meeting several times per semester with plans for monthly visits.[61] La Amistad coordinates after-school tutoring for Latino children through partnerships, aiming to expand sessions and community ties, while Knight Buddies, launched in 2023, facilitates events like bake sales and proms to connect with students at the Collective Learning Academy of Atlanta.[61] Additional clubs, such as art club, debate team, and green team, provide outlets for creative, intellectual, and environmental pursuits.[62] Leadership development occurs through structured programs and student initiatives. The Isdell Center for Global Leadership integrates annual themes—such as climate or water—into schoolwide activities to build critical thinking, empathy, and cultural awareness across Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools.[63] Upper School students engage via study tours (21 offered in 2024–2025, involving 358 participants), speaker series, internships, and community projects with 41 partners, contributing to substantial service hours; the Class of 2025 recorded 8,509 hours.[63] Student-led efforts include hosting TEDx events, such as the 2024 edition themed "Living With Love," featuring speeches on diverse forms of love by pupils.[64] These opportunities emphasize ethical decision-making and global competency without reliance on ideological framing.[63]Global and Community Engagement
Pace Academy's Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL), established to foster global competency and leadership across its divisions, coordinates international study tours that immerse students in diverse cultures and issues.[63] These include approximately 17 annual tours, such as summer programs to Bali, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Greece, Iceland, Italy, and South Korea in 2025, emphasizing cultural immersion, sustainability, and language skills.[65] Spring break tours have visited Italy, Ghana, and South Korea, with 80 students and 10 faculty participating in 2025 to deepen understanding of global themes like food systems.[66] Middle School offerings feature minimesters, discovery classes, and clubs exploring global issues, alongside domestic and international tours.[67] The ICGL's strategic focus on global citizenship aligns with Pace's broader plan, integrating annual themes into curricula to build civic awareness and leadership.[68] Upper School students engage in co-curricular activities tied to these themes, preparing them as informed global participants.[69] The program, marking its 10th year in 2023, emphasizes results-oriented development for students and faculty alike.[70] Community engagement, also facilitated by the ICGL, involves partnerships with local organizations to promote service and leadership.[71] The Keeping Pace summer program, launched in 2006, provides academic enrichment, meals, activities, and transportation to underprivileged Metro Atlanta students.[72] Student-led clubs organize events like Swim Across America fundraisers at Lake Lanier Olympic Park and Walk ALS initiatives, raising awareness and funds for cancer research and ALS support in September 2025.[73] Additional efforts include tutoring and book donations at Price Middle School and Thomasville Heights Elementary through Purpose Built Schools Atlanta, alongside drives for clothing to Bloom Fosters and Lost-n-Found Youth, school supplies, calculators via ReCalculate, and meals for Compassion Kitchen.[74][75][76] Volunteers assist with Refuge Coffee and Supplying Hope, fostering skills in organization and advocacy.[77] These initiatives, curated annually for summer and holidays, encourage sustained involvement in addressing local needs like foster care, homelessness, and education equity.[78]Admissions and Student Demographics
Enrollment and Admissions Process
Pace Academy enrolls approximately 1,150 students across its Pre-First through 12th-grade divisions, operating as a co-educational, college-preparatory day school in Atlanta, Georgia.[79] The school primarily seeks to admit students demonstrating intellectual promise, a commitment to diverse perspectives, and potential contributions to campus life, with enrollment goals emphasizing access through need-based financial aid totaling $5.1 million for the 2025-2026 academic year.[80] The admissions process begins with families creating an account on the Ravenna platform to inquire about the school, schedule campus visits, and submit applications.[79] Applications for Kindergarten through 12th grade open on October 1, with a standard deadline of January 15; testing is required for all applicants, though specific assessments vary by division.[81] Sibling priority is considered in admissions decisions, but spaces in non-entry grades depend on attrition rather than fixed quotas.[81] Entry points focus on Pre-First (typically admitting 60 new students), sixth grade (around 30), and ninth grade (30-35), reflecting the school's divisional structure in Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools.[81] Families are encouraged to attend open houses or virtual events listed on Ravenna, followed by potential interviews or additional evaluations coordinated by division-specific admissions directors.[82] Financial aid applications, processed through the School and Student Services (SSS) FAST system, must also be submitted by January 15 to qualify for need-based support.[81]Diversity and Student Profile
Pace Academy enrolls approximately 1,120 students across Pre-First through 12th grades, with a student-teacher ratio of 9:1.[83] [9] The school draws primarily from the Atlanta metropolitan area, with students representing 77 different zip codes, reflecting regional geographic diversity.[84] Racial and ethnic composition shows 37% students of color, a figure that has increased over recent years, including rises to 34% in the Lower School and 26% in the Middle School for the 2021-2022 academic year.[84] [85] Independent reporting aligns closely, estimating the breakdown as 65.1% White, 11.6% African American, 9.5% Asian, 7.1% multiracial, 2.9% Hispanic, 3.6% unknown, and under 1% each for Native American and Pacific Islander, with 0% international students.[86] This composition remains predominantly White, contrasting with Atlanta's public school districts, which have higher proportions of Black students.[87] To promote socioeconomic diversity mirroring Atlanta's population, the school awards over $5.1 million in need-based financial aid annually.[80] The student body is nearly evenly split by gender, with 51% male and 49% female.[86] Supporting inclusivity, Pace maintains 16 affinity and ally groups, such as the Black Student Alliance, Asian Student Alliance, and Gender & Sexuality Alliance, alongside a dedicated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion office.[84] Faculty and staff diversity stands at 30% people of color.[84]Controversies
Sexual Misconduct Allegations and Lawsuit
In October 2020, two former female students, referred to as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 in court filings, sued Pace Academy and several school employees, including headmasters, deans, and counselors, in Fulton County State Court, alleging negligence in failing to protect them from repeated sexual assaults by a male student identified as JW, a former Pace football player.[6] Jane Doe 1, who had attended Pace since third grade and participated in athletics, claimed JW raped her in September 2017 during school hours on campus, followed by attempted assaults in October and November 2017; she reported the incidents to a teacher and administrators, who allegedly conducted an internal investigation but only briefly suspended JW before allowing his return without adequate safeguards.[6] JW was later convicted as a juvenile for the assault on Jane Doe 1.[6] Jane Doe 2 alleged that JW assaulted her in May 2018 on campus, involving a chokehold and attempted assault, after the school had prior knowledge of his behavior toward Jane Doe 1 but failed to supervise or remove him effectively.[6] JW pleaded guilty to assaulting Jane Doe 2, with juvenile records sealed.[6] The lawsuits sought unspecified damages and a jury trial, asserting the school's breaches of duty caused devastation to the plaintiffs; as of the filing date, no public resolution or settlement had been reported.[6] In a separate incident, Pace Academy teacher Marshall Lopez, aged 33, was arrested on September 1, 2025, and charged with two felony counts of sexual battery against two teenage students, with warrants alleging the misconduct occurred on school premises between March and May 2025.[7] The school fired Lopez on May 1, 2025, following an internal review, but no civil lawsuit against the institution has been publicly filed in connection with these allegations as of October 2025.[7] Lopez was released from Fulton County Jail on September 3, 2025, pending further proceedings.[7]Notable Alumni
- Andrew Thomas (class of 2017), offensive tackle for the New York Giants, selected fourth overall by the Giants in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft after playing college football at the University of Georgia.[88][89]
- Wendell Carter Jr. (2017), center for the Orlando Magic, selected seventh overall by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft following one season at Duke University, where he averaged 13.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game as a freshman.[90][91]
- Jamaree Salyer (2018), offensive guard for the Los Angeles Chargers, drafted in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the team after playing at the University of Georgia.[90]
- Randy Harrison (1996), actor best known for portraying Justin Taylor on the Showtime series Queer as Folk (2000–2005).[92]