Macon — The Roberts Academy at Mercer University in Macon – a transitional elementary school for students with dyslexia – has been awarded full accreditation from the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA).
The accreditation reflects the Academy’s adherence to GISA’s rigorous standards, encompassing effective leadership, mission-driven policies and a robust educational environment.
“Achieving GISA accreditation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Academy’s faculty, staff and community and reaffirms its commitment to providing a safe, inclusive and academically rigorous environment for all students,” said Dr. Thomas Koballa, dean of Mercer’s Tift College of Education.
“We are absolutely thrilled to announce Roberts Academy’s recent GISA accreditation,” said Joy Wood, the Academy’s head of school. “This prestigious recognition not only affirms our commitment to excellence, but also significantly enhances our ability to support students with dyslexia. With this accreditation, we are better equipped to provide tailored educational strategies and a nurturing environment, ensuring every student can thrive and reach their full potential. This milestone brings us one step closer to fulfilling our mission of empowering students with dyslexia to achieve academic success and become confident, lifelong learners.”
Founded in 1986, GISA is a non-profit organization representing more than 170 independent
K-12 schools across the state. GISA’s mission is to promote excellence and collaboration among Georgia’s independent schools by supporting professional growth, advocacy, and interscholastic activities.
“From the state-of-the-art facilities, designed especially for its students, to the highly-qualified faculty trained extensively in the tenets of Orton-Gillingham, to the head of school who is widely known throughout the state for her experience and expertise in the study of dyslexia, the school is poised for great success,” said GISA President Jeff Jackson. “As a parent noted, Roberts Academy at Mercer University provides a ‘win-win’ opportunity for all involved – a place where self-advocacy, independent learning strategies and encouragement of each other foster a community centered on growth and respect.”
Member schools are dedicated to fostering the physical, intellectual, social and moral development of all students.
“Roberts Academy at Mercer University, the dream of the Roberts Family, is an extraordinary venture, providing a much-needed service to the families of Middle Georgia where successful and appropriate learning opportunities for neurodivergent learners are rare,” said GISA’s Director of Accreditation Paula Gillispie. “With the vision of the Roberts family and the combined dedication and passion of the head of school of Roberts Academy and the dean of Mercer’s Tift College of Education, the dream of such a school now exists.”
Roberts Academy will kick off its inaugural academic year on Aug. 14.
“We can’t wait to welcome our students to the Academy later this summer,” Wood said. “Our faculty and staff look forward to watching our students grow and thrive at Roberts.”
About Roberts Academy at Mercer University
The Roberts Academy at Mercer University is the only transitional elementary school of its kind in Georgia outside of Metro Atlanta. The mission of the Academy is to prepare students with dyslexia to achieve academic success through dynamic educational programs. The Academy teaches a comprehensive curriculum designed for grades 2 through 5 using the Orton-Gillingham approach, a specialized learning method clinically proven to help students with dyslexia. Students attend the Academy until they have mastered the skills to accommodate their learning differences and are prepared to succeed in a traditional school setting.
About Mercer University
Founded in 1833, Mercer University is a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education. With more than 9,100 students enrolled in 12 schools and colleges, on major campuses in Macon and Atlanta; medical school sites in Macon, Savannah and Columbus; and at regional academic centers in Henry and Douglas counties, Mercer is ranked among the top tier and best values of national research universities by U.S. News & World Report. The Mercer Health Sciences Center includes the University’s School of Medicine and Colleges of Nursing, Health Professions and Pharmacy. Mercer is affiliated with six teaching hospitals – Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center and Piedmont Macon Medical Center in Macon; Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah; Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital and St. Francis-Emory Healthcare in Columbus; and SGMC Health in Valdosta. The University also has an educational partnership with Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins. It operates an academic press and a performing arts center in Macon and an engineering research center in Warner Robins. Mercer Medicine, the clinical faculty practice of the School of Medicine, is based in Macon and operates additional clinics in Sumter, Clay, Putnam, Harris, Taylor and Glynn counties. Mercer is one of only 293 institutions nationwide to shelter a chapter of The Phi Beta Kappa Society, the nation’s most prestigious academic honor society; one of eight institutions to hold membership in the Georgia Research Alliance; and the only private university in Georgia to field an NCAA Division I athletic program. www.mercer.edu.
Roberts Academy is now accepting applications for enrollment. Classes will begin in August 2024.