A Community Making a Difference for Students

The greatest opportunity to impact student learning is in the classroom. 

Over the past few years, teachers have had to deal with numerous state and local budget cuts, making their task of providing an excellent education for all students increasingly difficult. 

Norcross and the Peachtree Corners community are more committed than ever to ensure that teachers have the resources they need to make learning rigorous, relevant and fun. 

, home of the Blue Devils, is a diverse school with dedicated and committed staff, high-achieving students, rigorous curriculum, and a multitude of academic, sports, arts, and enrichment offerings.  The school motto is “We Believe That We Will Win.” 

This philosophy is what rallies parents, students, administrators, teachers, community and business leaders to ensure that Norcross High School remains a world-class, triple A rated school – Academics, Arts, Athletics.

“I am continually inspired by the learning community of Norcross High School," said NHS principal Jonathan Patterson. "The school's diversity creates a unique environment for a broad experience of social and academic learning. 

"The dedication of the community in supporting the hard work of our teachers, staff, and coaches signals that our mission and vision are in line with the world-class expectations of those we serve.  

"Offering students both the International Baccalaureate and Advance Placement course choices, we are able to provide students with rigorous plans of study that have no ceilings for achievement that will prepare students for their post-secondary choices.  

"Norcross High School represents the strength of public education to know and provide a world-class education for the children and parents of our community,” he said.

Thanks to the generous contributions from parents, faculty, alumni, community members, and the business community, the Norcross High School Foundation for Excellence is pleased to announce this year’s fall teacher grants. 

During October and November, the Foundation will award $15,000 in grants to almost 80 teachers in 11 departments.  This year’s grants provide instructional improvements such as…

Business and Technical Education

• Animation software materials
• Magazine subscriptions for Marketing program
• Lavalier microphones for student presentations
• High quality printers for student presentations
• Video camera

ESOL

• Materials for Ecosystems Science Lab
• Calculators
• Grammar Books
• Bilingual Dictionaries
• Document Camera

Fine Arts

• Electric piano/ metronomes
• High quality printers for student work
• Digital camera
• Additional Music for classes
• Guest artists/musicians

Health and Physical Education

• Agility and speed ladders, parachutes, and bungees
• Stop watches
• Rubber flooring for additional weight room
• Aerobic and Fitness software/DVD's
• Ping pong balls, basketballs, tennis balls, volleyballs

Language Arts

• Document camera
• Flip charts, dry erase markers, dry erase boards, chart paper
• Class sets of novels
• College Essay practice materials
• SAT Prep materials

Math

• Calculators
• Document camera
• Dry erase boards/markers
• Math manipulatives
• Electric pencil sharpeners

Media Center

• Library books for all genres and grade levels
• Screen capture software
• Flip video cameras
• Fiction books for pleasure reading
• Library books in other languages

Modern and Classical Languages

• Advanced Placement prep materials
• Supplemental books in Spanish, French, and German
• Magazines in Spanish, French, and German
• Bilingual dictionaries
• IB study guide materials

Science

• Animal and Plant cell manipulatives
• Microscopes
• Physics simulation software
• Consumables for Chemistry labs
• Digital blood pressure and pulse monitors

Social Studies

• Supplemental materials for all classes
• DVD's to support curriculum
• Smart Board
• Interactive software
• Supplies for student presentations

Special Education

• Reading Pens
• Microscope/Solar Powdered mini car for Science Lab
• Dry Erase boards
• Materials to build an in class grocery store and coffee shop
• Supplemental

In 2001, a group of Norcross and Peachtree Corners parents, faculty, and community members had the foresight to create the Norcross High School Foundation for Excellence to provide support for the school above and beyond that provided by the state and county. 

Ten years later, the Foundation has been able to raise more than $800,000 and has made numerous contributions to the learning environment through technology, teacher grants and recognition, and facility improvements.

 “It's exciting to watch the progress of Norcross High as the students benefit from the collaboration of parents, faculty, administrators, and the community," said Foundation Co-Presidents Jenny and Bob Chapin.

As a charitable organization that raises funds for tools to enable this progress, the Foundation for Excellence has great flexibility to respond to the needs of the children in every facet of their education.  With the continued support of volunteers and donors, the Foundation's goals are to improve the facilities and classrooms, broaden our footprint in the community, and reach out to more NHS alumnae to include them in the process of creating a legacy for future NHS students.”

Be sure to attend the Spring Gala that will be held on April 27, 2012 at the Fields Club. For more information about the Gala and the work of the Foundation, visit the Norcross High School Foundation website.