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2010 Bus Trip Schools Named

Seven schools will make up the 2010 Bus Trip Across Georgia:

  • KIPP South Fulton Academy, Fulton County Schools
  • Charles R. Drew Charter School, Atlanta Public Schools
  • The New Schools at Carver, Atlanta Public Schools
  • Sawyer Road Elementary School, Marietta City Schools
  • Smokey Road Middle School, Coweta County Schools
  • Norcross High School, Gwinnett County Schools
  • DaVinci Academy at South Hall Middle School*

*DaVinci Academy featured in Gainesville Time story.

The trip will be held October 26 - 28.  If you wish to participate, watch for application details that will appear later in the summer.  If you have questions, contact Partnership Policy and Research director, Susan Walker (404-223-2462).

Why go?

"The annual bus tour of schools was the best experience I have ever had as a teacher.  We visited outstanding schools of varying sizes and ethnic populations.  Some were located in very poor neighborhoods, whereas others were located in affluent neighborhoods.

"I learned that funding from generous donors makes a marvelous difference, but I also visited schools on a shoestring budget whose students were performing just as well as their wealthy counterparts.  Obviously, strong school leadership, parental support and community involvement are even more effective than money in promoting student achievement." - Gwen Desselle, Georgia's 2010 Teacher of the Year

Application information to participate in the October tour will be posted in August.

The 2009 Bus Trip was another exciting, productive event!  It was a smashing success thanks to the six achieving schools we were honored to visit. Stop by the Photo Gallery page for a look at the festivities!  Here are the videotape reports in two versions: Long (16 minutes) and short (5 minutes).

  

Special thanks to the staffs and students at the following schools.  A video of the 2009 trip is now in production and will be posted as soon as it is available.

* Unity Elementary School, LaGrange, Troup County

Parks Middle School, Atlanta, Atlanta Public Schools

* Amana Academy, Alpharetta, Fulton County Schools

* Centennial Arts Academy, Gainesville, Gainesville City Schools 

* Morgan County High School, Madison, Morgan County

* Georgia College Early College, Milledgeville, a partnership among Baldwin and Putnam County School Systems, Georgia College and State University, and the Oconee Regional Educational Service Agency

Questions or comments about the trip may be directed to Communications Director Bill Maddox.

What's the annual Bus Trip all about?  Should you consider attending?  Here's a short peek at the fun, exciting and informative tour.  This seven minute video of the 2008 tour was produced for the Partnership by Georgia Public Broadcasting.   Click here!  The longer production, 26 minutes, is available on the right side of this page - 2008.

The Bus Trip Across Georgia began in 1993 as a way to celebrate achievement in our public schools and to share best practices with a wide range of influencers.  No one thought then it would become a tradition in our state.  Seventeen successful years later it is still fulfilling that initial two-part goal.

Bus Trip Fast Facts

Here are past Bus Trip videos that will take you inside many achieving schools where you will learn first hand what makes them winners.  The Partnership thanks Georgia Public Broadcasting for their production assistance. 

2008

2007 

2006

2005

   Every year on our Bus Trip Across Georgia we meet many wonderful children who remind us why it is so important to provide the best possible public education opportunities for all our students. 

One particular child - Robert from the International Studies Charter School in Albany - stole our hearts on Bus Trip 16 as he explained why an education is so important. 

Let him tell you in his own words then watch the Bus Trip 16 video to get a better idea what this exciting event is all about.  The Bus Trip 17 video is now in production.