Education summit hosts schools

Superintendents, heads of school share visions

Rachel Ernst, head of school at Loganville Christian Academy, speaks at the Walton County Chamber of Commerce Education Summit. Photo credit: Stephen Milligan | The Tribune

Officials from public and private schools alike came out Thursday for the Walton County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Education Summit.

The event saw superintendents, heads of school and others from seven of Walton’s educational institutions and systems gather at the chamber’s monthly business luncheon to share their latest accomplishments and talk about what makes each of them special.

Susan Enfinger, assistant superintendent of the Walton County School District, kicked things off with an update on the county’s largest school system, which includes more than 14,000 students and 2,000 employees across 15 different schools.

“Walton County Schools is more than a district, it’s a community,” Enfinger said. “Our schools are not just places of instruction, but places of relationships. We are blessed to be surrounded by people dedicated to our children.”

Enfinger emphasized the system’s 94% graduation rate, 25 career and tech career pathways and its heavy investment in dual enrollment and Advanced Placement courses, which have saved students more than $2 million all told in college expenses.

“We educate the whole child,” Enfinger said. “Public education is the great equalizer.”

Social Circle City School superintendent Matt Remillard led off his remarks by talking about the system’s new elementary school, which opened last fall “There’s a lot of excitement around that building,” Remillard said. “It’s been a great success.”

Remillard said Social Circle benefits from being a smaller system where students and teachers can build closer ties.

“The teaches are able to build strong relationships with the kids,” he said. “Relationships are the biggest part of what we do.”

Dale Simpson, superintendent of Foothills Regional High School, went next, emphasizing the importance of the unique institution’s mission.

“We’re designed to give students a different path to get a high school education,” Simpson said. “We’re very proud to have two locations here in Walton County.”

Foothills is a non-traditional school that allows students to finish their education at their own pace, using local high school classrooms after hours to give students a way to reach a diploma when normal school hours don’t work for them.

“It’s making a difference in the state and here in Walton County,” Simpson said. “You’ve got great schools here in Walton County, but as was said earlier, that works for 94% of students. We are the safety net for students who need something different.”

Erin Springstead, the assistant director of college counseling at George Walton Academy, said the private school is bringing a lot of options to its student body of nearly 800 students.

She emphasized the school’s AP scores and 100% college acceptance rate, as well as the nearly $6 million in scholarship offers students have recieved for college outside of the HOPE fund. She was especially proud of the school’s winter term, which provides high schoolers with a month of outside experiences.

“We have more than 130 internships right here in Walton County,” she said. “We want to thank everyone who was a part of that.”

Rachel Ernst, head of school for Loganville Christian Academy, said LCA was in the midst of exceptional growth.

“LCA is in an exciting season of growth as we expand our facilities,’ Ernst said, saying the school’s Beyond campaign has seen consruction begin on a new lower school building and school auditorium.

“LCA is more than a school,” Ernst said. “Our school plays a vital role in building a vital community. Our goal is not just to prepare students for college and career, but to prepare them for life.”

Victory Baptist School’s athletic director Colt Key said his alma mater — “I am actually the first graduate of Victory Baptist School, and it’s great to be back” — stands out due to its moral mission.

“Our hope at Victory is our students are equipped to be the good in this world,” Key said.

Finally, Rita Dickinson, founder and director of the Monroe County Day School, touted her school’s different approach to the classroom.

“It’s about learning who you are and how you fit into your community,” Dickinson said, adding she was proud to be one of many great schools in the area. “We are so blessed to have so many options for education in Walton County.”