ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013

www.ronclarkacademy.com OUR VISION For children everywhere, in every classroom, to experience passionate lessons, advanced rigor and engaging methods that are ignited by the RCA Experience. WELCOME TO THE RON CLARK ACADEMY

The Ron Clark Academy is a private school with a public mission – to demonstrate excellence as we equip educators with best practices that transform student learning and promote academic and social success. We place a focus on academic rigor, student engagement, and climate and culture – the pillars of RCA.

RCA has intentionally created a model school setting where students thrive in a rigorous and innovative learning environment and visiting educators are engaged in a vibrant and wholly unique professional development experience. Rigor

Through The RCA Experience educator training, teachers and school administrators from around the world visit our classrooms to observe our instructional methods and attend our professional development workshops.

Founded Energy Fall 2007 by Ron Clark and We believe in using songs, Kim Bearden movement, and creativity to add energy to lessons Location Southeast Atlanta, Georgia After School Programs Student Engagement Soccer, tennis, etiquette, Enrollment drumming, financial literacy, 110 students, Grades 5th - 8th tutoring, Junior Achievement, Educator Training Program African dance and more Over 3,000 educators visit RCA a year to learn our philosophies and Teams observe our classrooms Basketball Cheerleading Travel Essentials Step Team We believe integrating travel Georgia Aquarium Research Team into the curriculum creates Model United Nations Team global citizens Robotics Ya Heard Poets Climate and Culture DEAR FRIENDS,

As we reflect over the past year, we are once fundraising for childhood cancer. Our again extremely grateful for the abundant Essentials Step Team has been a force in the support we have received and for the community, recognizing our local firefighters difference that RCA has been able to make in and policemen and organizing other service the lives of students, both in our classrooms projects. and in classrooms around the world. We continue to push ourselves to go above Academically, our students continue to thrive. and beyond and to remain at the forefront Our award-winning Model United Nations of educational innovation in our country Team competed in Istanbul Turkey earlier and abroad. Our educator training program, this year, and our Robotics Team is currently The RCA Experience, reached several Together, we are changing lives. advancing to the state level. Our Georgia milestones this year: we have now trained Thank you for joining us! Aquarium Team continues to participate over 18,000 educators from 40 states and in extended and enhanced marine studies numerous countries around the world. These Sincerely, each week, and our students once again educators affect the lives of over 10 million received many scholarship opportunities students. for high school. And although we think that our students cannot be measured by After a successful capital campaign for the standardized assessments alone, we were construction of our new educator training proud to see that our students’ scores on facility, we are poised to break ground in the the Stanford 10 Achievement Test were the near future. This facility will enable us to highest in our school’s history. spread our methods to even more educators and their students. We continue to solicit RON CLARK & Our students have also continued to learn support for furnishings and resources KIM BEARDEN the importance of serving our community to complete the project, and we are so through projects such as helping the appreciative for the contributions from Cofounders of the Ron Clark Academy homeless, working in orphanages, and our donors that have made this project a Class of 2013 graduates 2012-2013 with Dr. Maya Angelou YEAR IN REVIEW

We have now trained over RCA’s 2013 Stanford 10 18,000 educators from all levels achievement scores were the and disciplines of education. Those highest we’ve ever received. 18,000 superintendents, curriculum directors, principals, and teachers We completed our 5-year affect the lives of over 10 million SACS review and received full children. accreditation and numerous outstanding commendations. Our first capital campaign has been We celebrated the a huge success and we are close to Real-world classes were held all over first day of school with our goal of breaking ground on our Atlanta for the “Best School Day Ever.” a White-Out Party. new $4.8 million educator training RCA students held their own fundraiser facility that will allow us to extend for CURE Childhood Cancer and the our professional development reach. Rally Foundation to help other children in need. Our graduates have secured more than $5 million to fund their high Students from our Georgia Aquarium school education. Research Team were selected to swim with the whale sharks. RCA Blue Dragons won their first basketball league championship. RCA trained teachers and principals in Honduras and Trinidad & Tobego. Model UN team competed in Turkey and New York City and hosted the The Hawks Foundation sponsored second RCAMUN conference with 75 teachers from Atlanta schools to Georgia Tech. attend our educator training. FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

As I thought about what I’d like I am hopeful when I see the faculty community responds with the to communicate in my final letter and staff at RCA, though exhausted ultimate endorsement by pledging as Chairman of the Ron Clark because they have been called upon over $4.8 million to its capital Academy’s (“RCA”) Board of to share their gifts with the world, campaign within a year. Trustees, one word kept coming be willing to go the extra mile for to my mind: HOPE. We all live our any student or educator who passes So, yes, I’m hopeful. In fact, lives at a rapid pace, and we’ve through their halls. I’m very hopeful about the become adept at tackling issues transformational impact RCA is as we encounter them in our I am hopeful when I see parents having on education, and I’m daily lives. We’ve also become bond together and do everything very hopeful about the long-term somewhat numb to the multitude of within their power to help RCA prospects of our educational extraneous factors that compete for students perform well. I am hopeful system. For that, I am grateful our time and attention, both good as I hear these parents recognize to each of you. and bad. However, this year taught the sacrifices RCA’s faculty and staff me that unless I take time to reflect make on behalf of their children. Sincerely, and disengage, just for a moment, I am hopeful when I see students from all of the chatter around me, I at RCA work the extra-long hours to will likely miss the proverbial “forest complete assignments and perform for the trees.” So, when I sit back well. and reflect on RCA and where it is as we approach the end of 2013, I I am hopeful when members of the see HOPE. Board of Trustees agree, without ALONZO LLORENS, SR. hesitation, to serve a second three- RCA Board Chairman I am hopeful as I see educators year term, because RCA needs their from across the globe standing specific gifts and talents. before the gates of RCA, waiting in anticipation to see the magic inside. Finally, I am hopeful when the The glimmer and excitement these faculty and staff of a school put in educators exhibit tell me that they so much hard work and dedicate are passionate about education and themselves so steadfastly to the want the best for their students. pursuit of excellence that the LEADERSHIP

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ALONZO SUNNY ROB KIGHT JOHN ROBBINS JEFF MIXSON LLORENS BURROWS Senior VP of Global Managing Director, Senior VP, Partner, Gordon Community HR Services and Granite Properties Holder Properties & Rees LLP Volunteer Labor Relations Finance Chair Board Chair Delta Air Lines Board Chair Vice Chair Elect Elect Finance Chair

STEVE DIANNE RON CLARK MATT CRISP MINDY JONES STEPHEN TOM MAXEY BEECHAM BERNEZ Founder, Principal, Platinum MACDONALD President, President, Senior VP of Math and Global Founder and Chief Ambassador, Biotechnology Consolidated Home Town Corporate Studies Teacher Operating Officer Reliv International Patent Consultant Financial Communications, at the Ron Clark Corporation Mortgage eVestment Alliance Equifax Academy

BARRY MYERS MIKE NIELSEN SCOTT SELIG BAILEY SHERYL BRANT BOB Regional Major President, Vice President, TEAGUE SELLAWAY STANDRIDGE WILLIAMS Account Manager W.S. Nielsen Selig Enterprises Partner, Executive Director President, BB&T President of the Toshiba Company Kilpatrick Public Relations, Northern Georgia Atlanta Hawks Townsend Verizon Wireless Region Group and Phillips Arena

ADVISORY COUNCIL

JEFF ANDERSON RUPAL MAMTANI DAVID RHODES President Senior Account Manager Headmaster Audio Enhancement Classic Concepts, Inc. Kings Ridge Christian School

ANN W. CRAMER MICHAEL MARKS DR. BETTY SIEGEL Senior Consultant CPA President Emeritus Coxe Curry & Associates Marks & Associates Kennesaw State University

LAURA TURNER SEYDEL BONNIE DEAN GLORIA PATTERSON National Environmental Vice President Independent Education Advocate and Eco-Living Expert Selig Enterprises Management Professional

MATTHEW WINSTON MAT DUTKIEWICZ SUSAN O’DWYER Assistant to the President Executive Vice President Director of Business Development, University of Georgia Great American Insurance Group Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP

MARK ELLIOTT BETSY PLATTENBURG CEO, Logical Choice Director of Development Technologies and Corporate Relations, Georgia Tech Research Institute SEAN FRANKLIN Founder SCARLET PRESSLEY-BROWN Idea Speeder LLC Vice President of Marketing National Center for Civil and Human Rights LIFE LESSONS

THE AMAZING SHAKE Teaching students’ manners, discipline, respect, and how to conduct him or herself in a professional environment are all an important part of RCA’s academic program. Students learn the mechanics of a proper handshake and working the room so that they are ROUND 1 able to present themselves exceptionally well for 106 students faced 10 opportunities today and in the future. different “situations” with Atlanta business professionals EYE CONTACT SOCIAL GRACE POISE ROUND 2 14 students “mingled” ENGAGEMENT with a group of 30 business CONFIDENCE people at Kimberly-Clark SENSE OF HUMOR

At RCA we invite community members to participate in ROUND 3 the “Amazing Shake.” Volunteers are placed throughout 8 students met Delta our school at different stations, and the students executives in their offices are instructed to approach each person, make an introduction including a handshake, and proceed to the next person along the course. Top performers advance to the next level challenge until ultimately there is one winner overall. ROUND 4 Thanks to the generous support of corporate sponsors, 5 students gave on-the-fly Kimberly-Clark, Coca-Cola, and Delta Airlines, students presentations to a board were assessed on their ability to interview, mingle in room full of business people a social mixer, and give an impromptu presentation in at Coca-Cola front of a panel of judges.

ROUND 5 Final 2 students had dinner with special guest, Mr. Russell (HJ Russell) A STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

As I reflect on my experience at the Ron me from a simple child to a mature young Clark Academy, I know that RCA has adult. Mr. Townsel’s science class has impacted me beyond who I envisioned moved me in ways that I cannot fully myself to be. I came to RCA as an explain. He uses science to formulate inexperienced, shy, and timid 5th grader, lessons for life. Although he teaches us and now I am a confident 8th grader ready the principles of analytical thinking and to head into my future. scientific knowledge, he has also taught us to respect nature and our surroundings. For the past four years, my academic abilities have evolved. I have developed This year I am the captain of RCA’s my thinking skills in so many ways. In Model United Nations Team. We attend every classroom, “Why?” Is a prominent conferences nationally and internationally question, and the answer is definitely more competing with other students, even high “ The Ron Clark Academy than one or two words! In Mrs. Haskins’ schoolers. MUN has turned me into a has molded me into a language arts class, analysis of text gives diplomat, and my self-confidence has risen me and my classmates the opportunity immensely due to this team. scholar and well-rounded to think deeply about literature. Applying person, and for that I will formulas and theorems to challenging Although academics and character algebraic problems in Dr. Jones’ class has development are important, I am most always be forever grateful to molded me into a focused, mathematical grateful for the relationships I developed at Mr. Clark, Mrs Bearden, and learner. With the rigorous instruction of RCA. My relationship with my classmates the whole RCA family! RCA teachers, my academic skills have has only gotten stronger with each year. I truly excelled. see every single one as a brother or sister, and I can only thank RCA for creating I have not only developed as an academic such an environment for me to get to student but as a human being. Exposure know them. It is a known fact that I will to real-world opportunities such as be leaving RCA soon. However, respect, conversing with teaching professionals critical thinking, analysis skills, and my by Daryl Ann Coss and corporate executives has transformed maturity will be with me forever. 8th Grade Student STUDENT SUCCESS 2012-2013 PR Gains by Subject

Schoolwide Test Results Percentage Growth

+19 +29 +15 +15 +20 100%

90% 92.7

80% 86.3 87.8 88.9

70% 83.7

60% 73.2 68.4 69.2 50% 67.2 64.2 40%

30%

20%

10%

Before RCA | 2013 Before RCA | 2013 Before RCA | 2013 Before RCA | 2013 Before RCA | 2013

Reading Math Language Arts Science Social Studies

Stanford Achievement Testing 2012-2013

STUDENT SUCCESS ENROLLMENT Students validate the success of RCA’s RCA currently enrolls 110 students in learning environment: each class experiences grades five through eight who have had double percentile increases in performance various levels of academic success prior to across all subject areas during the first attending the Academy. academic year and continues to improve over time. While students represent diverse academic and socio-economic backgrounds, 90% The first four graduating classes received of RCA families have an average annual over $5 million in academic scholarships to income less than $34,000. premiere high schools in Georgia and beyond. CHAMPION TEACHERS AROUND THE WORLD

As a child, my parents always said I could And now, as I travel from Virginia to be whatever I wanted when I grew up. At Vegas, Ohio to Honduras, and everywhere age 5, I had it all figured out! I wanted to in between as the Ron Clark Academy be the next World Wrestling Federation Director of School Implementation, I heavyweight champion, just like my idol, witness teachers being champions in their Hulk Hogan. Unfortunately, genetics were rings each and every day after coming not on my side, and apparently 5’10” through The RCA Experience. 140 pound guys just aren’t cut out to be professional wrestlers. Never did I imagine that the lessons I taught or workshops I conducted would While that dream didn’t come through, inspire other educators to become better becoming a championship teacher proved in their classrooms. Now when I observe to be my calling. With the classroom as my a classroom using the “AWWWESOME” ring, and my teaching as my headlocks and chant or playing the dice game or holding “Never did I imagine that dropkicks, I found myself going head to head debates, it has proven to me that good the lessons I taught or with the challenges of being a teacher. teaching has no boundaries, no class From the child who didn’t know how to system, no race, and no language. workshops I conducted read, to the parent who wanted that A more would inspire other than their child, and of course the class that We all need heroes, idols, and larger-than- educators to become better just wouldn’t stop talking, teaching was a life characters in our lives. I now realize match that seemed much harder than going that many people have decided to just in their classrooms .” up against any larger-than-life wrestler. It roll them all up into one and become a was through practice, learning from others, championship teacher. MR. ADAM DOVICO and some good ol’ hard work though that I RCA Implementation Specialist started feeling more like a champ. THE RCA EXPERIENCE EDUCATOR TRAINING

Accomplishments and Growth Plans Top 10 States: Educators have traveled from for Educator Training 1. Georgia over 22 different countries 2. North Carolina Australia Israel The RCA Experience has welcomed over 3. South Carolina Canada Italy 18,000 educators and impacted over 10 million 4. Kentucky China Japan students from around the world over the past Costa Rica Kaenataka, India six years. Superintendents, administrators, 5. Tennessee Egypt Kenya teachers, and educational leaders have been 6. Texas Finland Mexico Top 10 States: trained by The Ron Clark Academy (RCA) staff 7. Florida 1. Georgia and have taken new ideas and innovative 8. Indiana France Singapore2. North Carolina methods back to their respective schools to 9. Virginia Greece South Africa3. South Carolina make a change in the lives of their students. 10. Nebraska Guatemala Trinidad 4. Kentucky Guyana UK 5. Tennessee As new standards and challenging assessments 6. Texas become more common in schools, RCA will Haiti West Bengl,7. Florida India continue to develop appropriate training 8. Indiana opportunities for educators as they come 9. Virginia through our doors in order to properly prepare 10. Nebraska them for educating their students. Top 20 States: Illinois Content specific training will be a desired next Mississippi step for many educators, as RCA instructors Alabama can conduct valuable conversations and Oklahoma lessons within their specialty areas. Ohio Top 20 states where educators have traveled from are labeled in blue Louisiana West Virginia Arkansas Arizona 18,000 22 6 95% 40% North Dakota EDUCATORS COUNTRIES OF EDUCATORS TRAINED INCREASE IN STUDENT YEARS indicated that they will be able ENGAGEMENT to use the RCA strategies after attending RCA STAFF Susan Barnes Kirk Brown Pamela Haskins Johnny Mills Language Arts and Director of Development Language Arts Teacher Facilities Reading Teacher Maintenance Lazarus Bruner Sarah Hildebrand Manager Joey Barr Head Basketball Coach Social Studies and Finance Manager Reading Teacher Renita Mosley Ron Clark Office Manager Kim Bearden Co-founder, Mathematics Hope King Co-founder, and Global Studies Teacher Development Officer Kennedy Reddick Executive Director, Assistant Language Arts Teacher Gina Coss Wade King Social Studies and Social Studies and Ken Townsel Junior Bernadin Science Teacher Science Teacher Science Teacher Technology Manager Adam Dovico Dr. Valerie Jones Ben Walker RCA Implementation Mathematics Teacher Physical Education Specialist Instructor Mehari Kassa Director of Admissions Aungelita Williams Educator Training Chrissi Major Coordinator Creative Marketing

RCA HOUSE LEADERS Class of 2014

TERRELL AMAIYA REGAN PARKER NATALIE PRINCE NESBIT Reveur LANDAVERDE Isibindi Amistad Altruismo MASTER EDUCATORS

We have assembled a team of the top educators in the country. To learn more about their tremendous accomplishments and backgrounds, visit www.ronclarkacademy.com.

@kimbearden @ronclarkacademy @arauzing MS. KIM BEARDEN MR. RON CLARK MS. SUSAN BARNES Cofounder, Cofounder, Language Arts and Executive Director, Mathematics and Reading Teacher Language Arts Teacher Global Studies Teacher

@GinaCoss MS. GINA COSS MS. JOYCE ESTRADA MS. PAMELA HASKINS Social Studies and Spanish Teacher Language Arts Teacher Science Teacher

@drvcjones @WadeKing7 MS. SARAH HILDEBRAND DR. CAMILLE JONES MR. WADE KING Social Studies and Mathematics Teacher Social Studies and Reading Teacher ScienceTeacher

@WalkerBenjamin MR. KEN TOWNSEL MR. BEN WALKER Science Teacher Physical Education Teacher BY THE NUMBERS

2012-2013 Financial Highlights | JULY 1, 2012 - JUNE 30, 2013

Unrestricted Annual Giving Operational Revenue 2012-2013 2011-2012

7% Unrestricted Annual Giving Educator $301,326 $536,436 Training Restricted Annual Giving Restricted Program Including the Capital Campaign $1,738,302 $487,015 29% 42% Annual Giving In-kind donations Travel, equipment, and services $290,057 $344,327 4% Other Tuition $449,659 $485,074 11% 7% Educator Training Program Tuition In-kind $1,183,473 $1,245,570 donations Fees from training days and conferences Other $42,139 Operational Revenue $157,204

Total Contributions $4,120,021 $3,140,561

Operational Expenses Management & General Program $2,168,876 $2,212,025 13% Fundraising Management and General $363,939 $433,050 12% Fundraising $360,970 $442,890

75% Total Expenses $2,893,785 $3,087,965 Program Impaired Loss of Land and Building* $837,808

Interest Rate Swap $82,998 Operational Expenses Total Expenses + Loss $3,814,591

The Ron Clark Academy is a non-profit school and is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity.

Operational expenses are majority * RCA purchased existing property funded by annual giving and our unique from Founder by paying off Founder’s educator training program. loan. There was no cash made by 15% 38% 47% Founder on the transaction. FOUNDATIONS INDIVIDUALS COMPANIES For 2012, the restricted annual giving AND GRANTS was dedicated to the first RCA Capital Fundraising Contributions Campaign. CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Demand for our revolutionary professional development program continues to grow. Because the RCA campus lacks sufficient space $4.8 100% to accommodate the number of educators who MILLION PLEDGED IN PARTICIPATION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FROM RCA BOARD request to participate in our program, RCA and its board of trustees launched a $4.8 million campaign to expand capacity for our educator training program. 1 2014 YEAR GROUNDBREAKING The new 25,000-square foot addition will serve CAMPAIGN as a state-of-the-art educator training facility and will accommodate student lunches, PE class, and finally a place to hold up to 600 students and We thank you for your support to help grow our educators at one time. mission and impact education worldwide. COMING SOON Multi-Purpose Gymnasium and Classroom Building Expansion

CLASSROOM

EXIT STAIR OPEN TO BELOW CLASSROOM CORRIDOR FEC EXISTING BUILDING

STRG. CLASSROOM OFFICE OFFICE

MECH. SHAFT BOY'S LOCKER ROOM TABLE & CHAIR STRG. ROOF ACCESS

STRG. CLASSROOM 9 8 7 6 5 11 GIRL'S LOCKER 12 10

ROOM 13 4

14 3 CLASSROOM

15 2

16 1 17 MECH EXSTG. EXIT STAIR

OFFICECOACH 18 19

20

21 22

CLASSROOM STRG.

CORRIDOR

CLASSROOM

CLASSROOM SECOND LEVEL FLOOR PLAN Second LevelSCALE: 1/8" =Floor 1'-0" Plan

UTILITY ACCESS

EXIT STAIR

PRE-FUNCTION STORAGE FEC 

EXISTING F F BUILDING 
    IT/SERVER CONCESSIONS Multi-Purpose Gymnasium and Classroom Building Expansion SCHOOL STORE 
   February 09, 2014 CORRIDOR DINING WOMEN'S

WTR. SVC.

STORAGE FEC MEN'S JAN.

EXISTING EXIT STAIR

ELEC. ROOM

FIRSTFirst LEVEL Level FLOOR Floor PLAN Plan SCALE: 1/8" = 1'-0"

 
    Multi-Purpose Gymnasium and Classroom Building Expansion


   February 09, 2014 AMP We appreciate all the members of the Ron Clark MXDBLMXDBL NEW CONSTRUCTION MXDBLMXDBL

MXDBLMXDBL

MXDBLMXDBL Academy community who played a meaningful New Construction

19,341 sq ft

role in this campaign. Each personal contribution 1st Floor: 19,339 GSF FEC AMP 2nd Floor: 4,665 GSF varies, and all are significant. 4"

FEC MAIN BUILDING 3/4" 8 Total: 24,004 GSF EXISTING BUILDING Architects: Existing Building 1st Floor: 9,232 GSF Collins Cooper Carusi Architects F 2nd Floor: 7,968 GSF FEC EXISTING JE Dunn Construction Company CLASSROOM PARKING Total: 17,200 GSF BUILDING

Capital Campaign Committee: MEDIA CENTER Brant Standridge, Campaign Chair GATE Existing Building Ingrid Saunders Jones, Honorary Co-Chair Total: 1,850 SF Dr. Betty Siegel, Honorary Co-Chair The Ron Clark Academy Site Plan

THANK YOU, DONORS Donations contributed between JULY 1, 2012 - JUNE 30, 2013

RCA DONORS $100,000 and above $25,000 - $49,999 Companies & Foundations: Companies & Foundations: The Lookout Foundation BB&T Audio Enhancement* The Robert S Elster Foundation NAIOP Georgia Chapter Delta Air Lines* Individuals Newell Rubbermaid Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program Anonymous The Atlanta Hawks Foundation Promethean Barbara Allen The Imlay Foundation, Inc. Selby & Richard McRae Foundation Jeff Anderson* Verizon Wireless The Coca-Cola Foundation Tom Maxey* Zeist Foundation $50,000 - $99,999 Jeff Mixson Companies & Foundations: Individuals Charles & Julie Scheper James H. & Connie Maynard Fund Anonymous of Triangle Community Foundation Anonymous SCHOLARSHIP DONORS Great American Insurance Group $18,000 - $24,999 $18,000 a year per student Noel Khalil & Columbia Residential Companies & Foundations: SunTrust Bank Comcast* IN-KIND DONORS Individuals Jigsaw Meeting products or services donated in-kind Anonymous Kimberly-Clark Anonymous

HEAD OF THE CLASS THANKSPONSORS YOU!

RCA DONORS ($10,000 to $17,999) ($5,000 to $9,999) ($1,000 – $4,999)

Companies & Foundations: Companies & Foundations: Companies & Foundations: B.L. Harbert International Arby’s Foundation, Inc. ClubCorp Charities, Inc. Coca-Cola Matching Gift Campaign Equifax, Inc. Combined Federal Campaign Cushman & Wakefield George H Johnson Properties Create Foundation Patterson Family Foundation Granite Properties DimensionU* The Peter & Elizabeth Tower May P. & Francis L. Abreu Gannett (WXIA-Channel 11) Foundation Charitable Trust Mary Wilmer Covey Charitable Trust Robertson Foundation The Manufacturers Education Bank of America, Trustee Sartain Lanier Family Foundation Foundation The Ironman Foundation, Inc. SLS Family Foundation, Inc. The MFP Group Tracy Family Foundation W. S Nielsen Company, Inc. UBS Wealth Management Wells Fargo Community Support Employee Giving Campaign William B. Orkin Foundation Individuals: Anonymous Individuals: Individuals: Dianne Bernez Lucy Allen Michael Abreu Ed Potter & Regina Olchowski Anonymous Jeffrey J. Amezqua* Scott Selig Angela Asse John Deushane John D. Tickle II Joey Barr Robert L. Kight Cromwell S. Baun Thomas Maxey Lisa Borders Bailey Teague Bruce Brenizer Jini Davis Thornton Scarlet and Wendell Brown Dr. Annie Hunt Burriss Kenno Clark RCA Class of 2013 Richard and Mary Ann Cook David Coss Matt & Kim Crisp Dunwoody High School Diane Fennig Kenneth Fisher Allen Fromherz Harris M. Gignilliat

Photography by J. Amezqua Michael and Gail Graham RCA DONORS Jay Bernath Aston Greene ($999 and below) Michael W. Borchers Craig Harley Hilda J. Brucker Freelance Writer James Jenkins Companies & Foundations: Donna Buie Sarah Jones Appleton Learning Ponhsa Davison Bumpas Mehari & Candacy Kassa AT&T United Way/Employee Giving Wanda A. Burgamy William Lankford Campaign Carresha Burts Alonzo Llorens John Hackney Agency of Kevin Butler Stephen Christopher MacDonald Rocky Mount Andrew Ryan Chismar Chrissi Major Les Dames D’Ici Fund Lisa Givens-Cole Noel Maloof Neuberger Berman Group LLC Sally Cook Michael Marks Portman Holdings, LLC Deke Cooper Amy and Lewis Massey The Humana Foundation William Cottrell Rosalyn Mayfield Merrick Towers Watson Bobbie Crocker Charles and Jordan Mixson Wells Fargo Bank Dark Horse Tavern Alan and Debra Motter Your Cause, LLC Shechia Davis Susan O’Dwyer Karen Bell-DeWitt Jaya Patel Individuals: Nagelah Dieu Joseph Patterson Kristie Andrews Gwen Dixon Betsy & George Plattenburg Anonymous Michelle Harris-Douglas Shawl Pryor Romane Avril Adam Dovico Julie & Joseph Rath Joyce Estrada Bailey Lisa Dunavin Barbara Reid Kelcee D Baker Timothy Dunn Sally F. Schreiber Deirdre Ballard Bari Evans Stephen Selig Cara Barfield Charlcie Forehand Sheryl Sellaway Kelly Ray Barr William Forsyth James Sullivan Jennifer Barron Sabine Fortune Ari Terry Jimmy Bartlett Amber French David & Jini Thornton Joe and Gwen Bearden Keith Fryer Kevin Travis Steven Beecham* Paul Garnes Mindy and Doug Weston Ellen Bell Cathie Day Geraci Edward Wile Henry Bellinger Bonita Norris Glover Scotland Wright Junior Bernadin Michael and Gail Graham Set the tone for a love of learning! “The potential is there; it is our responsibility to see it, to encourage it, and to let our children know that, without a doubt, we believe in their dreams.”

The End of Molasses Classes by Ron Clark

Suzanne Greeson Thabi Mathebula Susan J Sabsowitz Stephanie Elaine Griggs Donna E Morris-McBride Joseph Shanley Sharon Guest Phoebe McCants Betty L Siegel Jean P. Hague Brian ‘Hutch’ McMillan Brian Smith Robert & Melanie Haley Lynne Patrice Meadows Fred Otis Smith Alice Hallenberg Peggy Means* Amy and Paul Snyder Jamie and Julie Harper Brenda Mitchell Bill Spinelli Haynes Bridge Middle School Nubia M Moody Brant Standridge Kathleen Heltsley Renita Mosley Iana Steineker* Janet Henderson Mount Paran Christian School Virginia Stoner Carol Henderson Steve Moxley Mande and Ian Strickland Byron and Nancy Hicks Eric Wong & Christy Myrick Joanne and David Strickland Roger A. House Julia Yoshi Nabholz Jay and Debbie Suever Joyce and Leonard Hull Marjory Newell Jeff Tate Pearl C. Ibarra Mary Nielsen Courtney Thorn Asad Jaleel Susan O’Dwyer Ken Townsel Robyn Johnson Michael William O’Keefe Paul Warren Turner Valerie Camille Jones Willa Onley Renee Urbanski Barbara M. Jones Catherine Parker Courtney Vlugt Candice Jordan Lamond Andre Parker Brooke Wallace Lillie Jordan Deedee Parsons Thomas and Adelia Wardle Kimberly Julian Brigitte Peck Alex Wyatt Limerick Junction Mary Jeannette Perkins Jennifer K. Webb Casey London Keeter Will Pierce Billie Webb Wade and Hope King Nicole Pierson Laura Wellon Andrew Kirunda Mazeen Porbandarwala Carl Williams Dean and Jessica Larson Neighbors Pub Sheronda Williams Michael Latour C. David Rhodes III Nina and Stephen Woods Thomas Lazette Jacquelyn Richards Miles Wright Nancy Lee Mary Richardson Rickey Massey Brenda Robbins

* Donors who made in-kind contributions to the Ron Clark Academy GOAL SCHOLARSHIP DONORS

The Georiga GOAL Tax Credit Program enables Georgia residents to redirect their state income taxes to fund scholarship for students at the Ron Clark Academy. This is an incredible opportunity for RCA students, and we are thankful to the following donors who participated in the program in the 2012 tax year.

Raymond & Lucy Allen Stephen MacDonald Stephen Selig Anonymous Christilyn Majorkiewicz Charles & Susan Shanor Deirdre Ballard Michael & Beth Marks Andrew & Alicia Snyder Joey Barr Phoebe McCants Reginald Bailey Teague Kimberly Bearden Thomas & Carson, Christa Richard & Julie Thorne Dianne Bernez McDaniel Ronald & Joan Tolliver Edwin & Sandra Brenizer Franklin & Lynne Meadows Kevin & Michelle Travis Donna Buie Damian & Rosalyn Merrick Michael & Fleming Upshaw Gina Carellas Marina Miller Scotland & Margaret Wright Richard & Mary Ann Cook Charles & Mastrodonato, David & Gina Coss Jordan Mixson Carlester & Yarid Crumpler Joyce & Laura Mixson IV Diane Fenning Alan & Debra Motter Allen Fromherz Derek & Wanda Dunaway Murphy Michael & Gail Graham Michael & Denise Nielsen Aston & Erica Greene Edward & Susan O’Dwyer Craig & Nanette Harley Willa Onley In Georgia, 6,500 taxpayers contributed Christopher G. Harris Atul & Jaya Patel to GOAL for a 2012 tax credit. Your James & Rochelle Jenkins Joseph & Carolyn Patterson involvement in this program provides Melinda Jones William & Linda Pritchett improved educational opportunities for Sarah Jones Shawl & Vonnetta Pryor deserving Georgia students. Calvin & Candice Jordan Palaniswamy & Naidu, Ami Rajan Mehari & Candacy Kassa Joseph & Julie Rath To select the Ron Clark Academy as Rob & Lora Kight Ronald & Barbara Reid the recipient for these state funds, William & Ann Lankford, Jr. Sam Reid visit the GOAL website at Alonzo & Alison Llorens John & Jennifer Robbins www.goalscholarship.org “Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path,

and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Ron Clark Academy Visit www.ronclarkacademy.com 228 Margaret Street @ronclarkacademy Atlanta, Georgia 30315 facebook.com/RCAcademy/ Phone: 678-651-2100 youtube.com/user/RCAAdmin