Olympic Day Highlights Kickoff of Summer Learning Program for Low-Income Students

ATLANTA, June 16, 2017 – The Buckhead Rotary Club, Atlanta International School (AIS) and Garden Hills Elementary School kicked off the first of their six-week Horizons Summer Camp learning program for low-income students with an Olympic Day on June 16, 2017. John McCusker, who was a member of the 2011 USATF World Team USA and competed in the World Master's Athletic Championship Marathon, presented the 2004 Olympic torch at the start of the activities.

The goal of the six-week program is to close the summer learning gap between low-income students and their peers by providing low-income students with the opportunity to participate in fun and engaging activities they may not otherwise get to experience. Fifty kindergarten through third grade students from Garden Hills Elementary School are participating in the program this year – the second year of Horizons at AIS and the second year the Rotary Club of Buckhead has donated more than $10,000 and numerous volunteers to the program. The curriculum includes reading, STEM-focused activities and even swimming lessons, building not only students’ knowledge, but also confidence.

“The results of last year’s camp are impressive,” said Kevin Glass, headmaster of AIS and a member of the Buckhead Rotary Club. “Reading level for participants increased a grade level and a half.”

While just 71.5 percent of Atlanta Public Schools’ students graduate, high school students who have participated in a Horizons program have a 99 percent graduation rate.

Sam Alston, incoming president of Buckhead Rotary, praised the program and its results.

“We are immensely gratified that we are able to make this contribution to our community, both now and in the future,” he said.

Horizons at AIS officially started Monday, June 12, and Friday’s Olympic Day was inspirational as well as fun-filled. After introductions and a brief presentation, the event moved to the AIS track for a torch relay, an Opening Ceremony and four events: 100-meter run, 400-meter run, shot put and long jump.

All Olympic Day events, as well as the Horizons Summer Camp, are taking place at the Atlanta International School, 2890 North Fulton Drive, in Buckhead.

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About Atlanta International School

Celebrating its 31st anniversary school year, Atlanta International School offers all three International Baccalaureate (IB) programs to more than 1,160 U.S. and international students from 3-year-old kindergarten to grade 12. Rigorous academics are enriched by a world-class language acquisition program, which begins with a full-immersion preschool program in Spanish, French and German. The school offers STEM- and STEAM-endorsed and bilingual diplomas in addition to the prestigious IB diploma. Beyond the classroom, AIS students participate in award-winning performing and fine arts opportunities, competitive athletics and global experiential learning. The AIS community comprises more than 90 nationalities. AIS is accredited by SAIS and the Council of International Schools. For more information, please visit www.aischool.org.

About Rotary Club of Buckhead

The Rotary Club of Buckhead was founded in 1951 to unite leaders from all walks of life, amplifying the individual contributions of members to make Atlanta and the world a better place to live and to work. The club meets each Monday for a 12:15 p.m. lunch at Maggiano’s Buckhead. For more information, visit www.buckheadrotary.com.