The Cave Spring Community Coalition (CSCC) and First Baptist Church of Cave Spring announced Monday that the church will serve as the Cave Spring Learning Center’s K-8 campus beginning this fall.

According to Jarrod Kinsey, Pastor at First Baptist, the church membership voted on Sunday to make its classrooms and other spaces available to the center over the next two years.

β€œThe mission of First Baptist is β€˜to be the heart of Christ in the heart of Cave Spring’ and we are so excited to serve our community in a way that is in perfect alignment with who we are as a church. I learned from a fellow pastor a few years ago that the church’s address is no accident. I believe we are uniquely situated in the heart of our city for a time such as this. I am grateful to our church family and the CSCC for seeing this need and responding in a tangible way.”

David Stiles, CSCC board member, attends First Baptist when visiting family in Cave Spring, and he is excited about the opportunity to serve K-8 students in the church facility.  β€œWe are thrilled that the church is stepping forward to support the children and families of Cave Spring by offering their facilities for the learning center. The existing downstairs classrooms are in great shape, and the CSCC will fund renovation of classrooms in the upstairs area. Approximately 65 (K-8) students will be taught in the church facility.”

The Hearn Academy was recently announced as the campus for students in grades 9-12.

According to Judy Taylor, Chair of the CSCC, registrations for all grade levels have exceeded expectations, and the CSCC anticipates serving nearly 100 students via a partnership with the Georgia Cyber Academy (GCA), a state-funded charter school that provides virtual instruction with certified teachers. The Learning Center will provide a traditional school setting with qualified paraprofessionals in each classroom.

β€œWe are excited about the opportunity for public education to continue in Cave Spring, the quality instruction that will be provided via the GCA, and the individual student support to be provided by the Learning Center staff.”

Taylor added: β€œIn spring 2021 state-wide milestone testing, GCA students outperformed the state average in all grade bands: elementary, middle and high school. Thus, parents can be assured that their students will receive instruction that is equal to (or better than) that provided by school districts across the state.”

The CSCC continues to encourage interested parents to register their students ASAP – at the GCA website: www.georgiacyber.org. Registration is still open, although the GCA has limited capacity, especially at the high school level.

For further information, contact Judy Taylor at 706-346-4458.