DJJ Holds Georgia Preparatory Academy Spring Graduation Ceremonies

Decatur, GA – During the week of May 24, the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) held graduation ceremonies around the state for youth attending the Georgia Preparatory Academy (GPA). Nineteen high school diplomas and thirty-one GED diplomas were awarded at nine DJJ facilities over five days.

"Our youth have demonstrated their commitment to education through hard work and dedication," said Commissioner Tyrone Oliver. "Obtaining a high school diploma or GED is an important achievement that will help guide them on a path towards achieving their goals and a bright future."

DJJ is the 181st school district in Georgia. GPA is the middle and high school and Pathway to Success is the GED program within the school system. GPA and Pathway to Success are located at 28 campuses within DJJ's Regional Youth Detention Centers (RYDCs), Youth Development Campuses (YDCs), and Education Transition Centers (ETCs) across Georgia. DJJ operates GPA with a curriculum that meets the education standards set forth by the Georgia Department of Education for all public schools.

For the Spring 2021 GPA graduation, class leaders included the Valedictorian and Salutatorian from the Muscogee YDC. DJJ facilities with GPA graduates included the Atlanta, Eastman, Augusta, Milledgeville, Macon, and Muscogee YDCs, Gainesville, Augusta, Waycross, Crisp, Martha K. Glaze, Marietta, and Rockdale RYDCs, and Chatham, Bibb, and Muscogee ETCs.

"We are very pleased that the hard work of our teachers and students is evident this semester with 19 high school graduates and 31 GED graduates," said Zane Shelfer, DJJ Deputy Superintendent of Schools.

The Department of Juvenile Justice congratulates all recent youth graduates.

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ABOUT DJJ

The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice is a multi-faceted agency that serves the state's youthful offenders up to 21 years of age. The Department's mission is to transform young lives by providing evidence-based rehabilitative treatment services and supervision, strengthening youth and families' well-being, and fostering safe communities.