Georgia Preparatory Academy

Georgia Preparatory Academy logo

Georgia Preparatory Academy (GPA)

GPA is the middle school and high school within the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) school system. There are 29 campuses across Georgia located in Regional Youth Detention Centers (RYDCs), Youth Development Campuses (YDCs), and Education Transition Centers (ETCs). Teachers, professional school counselors, principals and administrators employed by GPA all hold certificates from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

GPA enrolls students from all 159 counties and all school districts across Georgia, depending on the student’s previous academic placement. Students attend school Monday through Friday for six periods daily. Instruction occurs in a standards-based classroom using the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) curriculum. In addition to the traditional teacher-led classroom, GPA students have access to an online curriculum called Odysseyware. Depending on student need, Odysseyware is an additional resource which offers students an expanded curriculum and course options. 

 

Georgia Preparatory Academy_Cont

Students enter and exit GPA schools daily. Each local GPA campus works to ensure a continuum of services for each student enrolled so that they will experience a smooth transition back to their home school.  Special education services are provided for students with disabilities including psychological testing, eligibility meetings, and the Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. Students have access to professional school counselors, academic advisement and career guidance. Students take the Georgia Milestones exams and are able to take Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) courses. 

Students in the Augusta, Columbus, Macon and Savannah areas who have left DJJ placement and cannot return to their home school may be referred to and placed in GPA at a local ETC. The ETCs use Odysseyware as the primary curriculum delivery model. They also offer Adult Education/GED classes and testing. A certified lead teacher is on staff at each ETC.