Fulton County

and Union City also presented the Academy with proclamations. Senator

Donzella James, Fulton County Commissioner Bill Edwards, Fayette County

Commission Chairman Greg Dunn and Union City Mayor Pro-tem Shirley Jackson

all joined in celebrating the opening of the school.

Owners Aston

and Monica Peart purchased the property in 2000. Two years and 19 days

later the couple proudly opened the first phase of their dream which currently

includes a 6,000 sq. ft. school and a large playground.

The new private

Christian school has gained the support of many in the surrounding community.

The building that now houses the cheery school was formerly a community

club. It had been vacant for a number of years and was in serious disrepair.

Neighbors have

expressed their pleasure with the renovations and improvements to the

former eyesore.

Aston and fellow

volunteer renovator Keith Sellers were honored at the grand opening by

Senator Donzella James for their many hours of hard work in renovating

the property. March 26 was proclaimed Aston O'Brien Peart Day and March

27 Keith Sellers Day by the Georgia State Senate at the behest of James.

Peart spent over "8 million minutes" renovating the structure,

according to the proclamation.

Future plans

for the Academy include completion of a new 1,600 sq ft. daycare center

with 2 play areas and a 2-story 4800 sq. ft. building that will house

over 142 students from infants to 2nd grade. The second phase of the reconstruction

should be completed by mid-summer.

Albert Jones,

a retired elementary principal with over 40 years of experience, will

serve as Director. Monica Peart will also be employed full-time at the

facility.

The Pearts'

daughter, Christa, was the first student to be officially enrolled in

the school. Christa's mother noted, "She has worked diligently for

the past 2 years, sacrificing playtime to help dad and mom hammer and

paint the new school she will share with forth-coming students. She is

really excited about meeting new friends."

The Academy

is now enrolling children 6 weeks to 4 years of age. The A Beka curriculum

will be utilized beginning at age 2. A Beka, one of the top Christian

based curriculum's in the country, weaves the Bible into the course of

study. Children learn to write cursive, learn phonics and to read by age

four and the spelling and math is considered more advanced than what is

typically taught in public schools.

The goals of

the school are to educate the entire family, provide guidance to new parents

and foster two-way learning, provide a stimulating environment for the

students to excel and "raise up little Disciples of Christ."

The school

will offer parenting classes and extended hours of operation.

Students will

wear uniforms. The school will have secured access, parents can enter

and depart with a personal key code at front entrance. Also, classrooms

will be videotaped.

Students will

be able to utilize computers in the classrooms and will learn a foreign

language.

The Academy

will host an open house tomorrow from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

The International

Learning Academy is located at 3620 Jonesboro Road, Fairburn. For information,

770-306-1234. The school will be open Monday - Friday 7-6:30 p.m.