The city of

Senoia will soon have a private school to call its own.

Work is

progressing rapidly this month as officials at Peachtree

Baptist Church get ready to open their school this fall

for K-3.

Pastor the

Rev. David Dickerson said everything is on track for the

school to open Aug. 23.

"We

eventually hope to have the school offering classes all

the way through high school," he said.

Dickerson

is excited about the church and school's new beginning.

Three years ago, the pastor operated Mt. Pisgah Baptist

Church and school in south Fulton County, when a

devastating fire destroyed the school.

Undeterred

decided to locate a new school and church in Senoia.

"It

was prayer that led us here," he said.

Dickerson

said about 13 families of Mt. Pisgah already lived near

the church and school's new location on Ga. Highway 16

and it made sense to make the move to Coweta.

Three weeks

ago, the church conducted its first service with about

100 people in attendance. Since the new church is more

than 20 miles from its old location, Dickerson said he

has lost half the congregation.

But he

believes the new location will draw even more people to

hear the gospel.

When school

starts, Dickerson expects an initial enrollment of 65-100

students, but said the school was built to expand and

serve the rapidly growing population of eastern Coweta

County.

Tuition at

the school is $2,000 for kindergarten students and $2,400

for elementary students. The school is a member of the

Georgia Association of Christian Schools, which makes

sure that Christian schools meet certain standards.

In addition

to the elementary school, Peachtree Baptist also is

starting Georgia Baptist College and Seminary on the

site.

The college

offers classes for people wanting to serve in the

ministry and Dickerson said classes start the last week

of August and are at night.

The

associate pastor at the church is Alan Gaddy, who will

serve as the school's principal.

Dickerson

said any parents who are interested in having their

children start school at Peachtree Baptist this fall

should call 770-599-0888.

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