By Makaylee Randolph Staff Writer ….


By Makaylee Randolph Staff Writer mrandolphadvance@gmail.com
Backpacks are filled and hallways are bustling as the area schools prepare for students to return for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year.
Montgomery County Schools and Wheeler County Schools will welcome students back first, as the districts kick off the new year on Friday, August 1.
Montgomery County Schools will open their doors to students on Friday, August 1.
The new school year will bring some changes in the district, as the school system has implemented a K-12 electronic device ban, meaning no student will be able to utilize their personal cell phone, iPad, or other devices during the school day.
Superintendent Ronda Hightower discussed this new policy, “One
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of the great changes we’re embracing is the new Distraction- Free Policy, which we believe will positively impact both teaching and learning. As we move forward together, we remain committed to improving student and teacher success, strengthening our school culture and climate, and enhancing organizational and operational effectiveness.”
She also commented on her excitement for the upcoming school year. “We are super excited to welcome our students and teachers back to Montgomery County for the 20252026 school year! We have so much learning, growing, and achieving ahead of us, and we couldn’t be more eager to incorporate new strategies into our daily routines,” she remarked. Wheeler County Schools
Wheeler County Schools will also begin the 2025-2026 school year on Friday, August 1.
The district does not have many changes this school year, but has made a few minor adjustments to the dress code after meeting with the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council throughout the 2024-2025 school year. These changes include requiring footwear to have ankle straps or backs for safety reasons.
Superintendent Alex Alvarez shared his excitement to start the new year, as he explained that recently, the district’s administrators had attended the Georgia Association of Education Leaders Summer Conference, where they learned about new legislation and the best practices in safety, instruction, and student support.
“We are looking forward to seeing our students return to the classroom, and are so excited for the learning and growth that will happen this year!” he emphasized.
Vidalia City Schools
Vidalia City Schools will kick the new school year off on Tuesday, August 5.
Superintendent Sandy Reid said that the district is very excited about several new enhancements to the school system this year, which she said is designed to build upon what the school has already accomplished.
“Through our continuous improvement cycle, we ensure that this long-term vision is translated into meaningful annual district priorities. Our focus remains on equipping our staff with the knowledge and skills they need to deliver the highest-quality instruction and ensuring every student has access to the best possible learning opportunities,” she explained.
Reid spoke about new curriculum changes, which she said will help students develop an ability to think critically. “One of most exciting new developments this year is our Woz ED STEM curriculum, which will run from Pre-K through 12th grade,” she shared. “We’ve identified career pathways aligned with some of the most indemand fields of the future. Our goal is to prepare students not just to learn, but to think critically, creatively, and independently— skills that the workforce will demand. Rather than focusing on rote memorization, this curriculum is built around presenting students with real-world problems and facilitating thoughtful problem-solving, encouraging them to become solution-oriented thinkers from a very early age.”
She also discussed the district’s work in ensuring that graduates were prepared for their futures. “We’re expanding our 3E initiative— Enrollment, Enlistment, Employment, which has been a key focus at the high school level. We want to ensure that every student crossing the graduation stage has a clear nextstep plan, whether that’s college, a career, or military service,” she remarked. “This year, we are doubling down on that effort by developing a district-wide plan that begins as early as kindergarten. We are moving towards building career exploration portfolios and creating opportunities for students at every grade level to think about their future pathways long before high school, working closely with our high school team to ensure a seamless K–12 approach.”
When asked what she was most excited for this school year, Reid shared, “What excites me most this year is seeing a real shift toward a system-wide approach to education— one that spans from Pre-K through 12th grade. We are truly working as a team across all schools to create a seamless trajectory for our students, building on their strengths and addressing their needs as they move from one grade level to the next. This kind of collaboration ensures that every student’s journey is supported with intentionality and purpose, and I’m eager to see this culture of alignment and teamwork continue to grow.”
She continued, “I’m also incredibly excited about the launch of our Woz ED STEM curriculum, which will now reach students in every grade, from Pre-K through 12th. This curriculum, inspired by Steve Wozniak’s vision for hands-on, creative learning, is designed to help students think critically and solve real-world problems. Rather than focusing on memorization, Woz ED challenges students to approach problems from multiple angles, collaborate with peers, and build solutions using technology and innovation. It also introduces students to emerging fields like robotics, drones, and cybersecurity— areas that reflect the skills and knowledge the future workforce will demand. What excites me most is that we are planting these seeds of curiosity and problem-solving at such an early age, giving students a foundation for success no matter what path they choose.”
“Combining this forward- thinking curriculum with our unified approach as a school system, I am confident that we are creating powerful, future-ready opportunities for our students. This is the type of work that not only excites me but also reaffirms why we do what we do every day,” she emphasized.
Reid also outlined the district’s goals for the school year. “Our goals this year are really about moving from good to great by sharpening our focus on both instructional excellence and whole-child development. At the heart of everything is our commitment to ensuring every student is prepared for life beyond high school— whether that means enrollment in college, enlistment in the military, or entering the workforce. Through our 3E initiative, we’re expanding career exploration and awareness so that students start thinking about their future pathways as early as kindergarten, building skills and confidence along the way,” she said.
She continued, “A major focus continues to be literacy and teacher clarity, which we see as the foundation for student success in every content area. We’re strengthening K-5 literacy through evidencebased practices aligned with the state’s Early Literacy Act, and we’re working with teachers across all grades to ensure lessons are clear, purposeful, and connected to well-defined learning targets and success criteria. We want every student to know exactly what they’re learning, why it matters, and how to gauge their own success.”
Reid said that another goal of the school year was for administration and staff to continue their commitment to effective collaboration and data-driven decision-making. “We are building highly functional collaborative teams, where teachers regularly examine student data and work together to refine strategies. This work isn’t just about improving test scores; it’s about ensuring we meet every student where they are and give them exactly what they need to grow,” she commented.
She also shared goals for the school year to improve the school climate and invest in others.
“Beyond academics, we are doubling down on school culture, climate, and student well-being. Through a more consistent district-wide MTSS approach, we’re focusing on strong Tier 1 supports, improving attendance, and expanding social-emotional resources so that students feel supported, safe, and ready to learn every day,” Reid explained.
She added, “We’re also investing in our people. From targeted professional development for teachers to refining onboarding for new staff, we’re building a culture where educators have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to deliver their best work. A strong staff culture, paired with strategic communication and deep partnerships with families and the community, rounds out our vision for this year.”
Reid said that these goals all connected to a central mission: equipping every student with the academic foundation, problem-solving skills, and confidence they need to succeed, while supporting the staff and systems that make that possible. Treutlen County Schools
Classes will resume at Treutlen County Schools on Wednesday, August 6.
Superintendent Susan Stone spoke about two new learning opportunities for high school students that will be available this year, which she said will help to further prepare students for their futures.
“We have added two new programs through a partnership with Southeastern Technical College. We are offering a CNA certification program and a welding certification program to our campus. These programs will allow students to graduate from high school with certifications that will allow them to immediately enter the workforce,” Stone remarked.
When asked what excited her about this year, Stone discussed new literacy curriculum, which she believes will further elevate the quality of learning within the district. “I am excited for teachers to be able to put into practice all of the things they have learned through our ongoing literacy training,” she explained. “Last year, all teachers worked throughout the school year to complete training on the science of reading. Now, they will get to put that learning into practice while adding to their knowledge and skills through another year of professional learning focused on literacy.
She also stated that the goal of the upcoming school year was to continue to carry out the district’s mission for students and staff. “My goal is to carry out our mission to engage, equip, and inspire all for success in life all day, everyday. We have the best teachers, students, and families here in Treutlen County, and they deserve the best!” Stone emphasized.
Robert Toombs Christian Academy Robert Toombs Christian Academy will welcome students back to class on Thursday, August 7.
“As we head into the 2025-2026 school year, I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us here at Robert Toombs. The combination of our staff, students, and families builds a unique environment where we see students develop spiritually, academically, and emotionally throughout their time in school,” Headmaster Scott Tuck remarked. “With very little staff turnover, we will be able to build on the foundations of previous years. I would like to welcome Alexis Green to our staff, who will be teaching in fourth grade, and also welcome back Mr. Tommy Barfield for middle school math and Ms. Sabrina Wimpey for the cafeteria.”
He also spoke on improvements that will be implemented in the upcoming school year. “Thanks to a grant from the George W. Strickland Foundation, we will be implementing one-to-one technology for middle and high school students this year. This will greatly improve student access to resources beyond our walls,” Tuck explained. “We are also making campus improvements, including new visitor’s bleachers made possible by the family of Mrs. Beverly Thigpen and Mount Vernon Bank.”
When asked his goal for the upcoming school year, Tuck replied, “My goal for this year is to continue to grow the students within our school, and thus grow RTCA. We would like to see, as we have for many, students grow in all aspects of their lives to become mature young men and ladies on their way to success.”
Toombs County Schools
Toombs County Schools will also resume classes on Thursday, August 7.
Most everything is the same this year at Toombs County Schools, but it has not stopped the administration and staff from being excited about what is to come for 2025-2026.
“We are excited about the anticipation of the start to a new school year. There is always an excitement in the air with the beginning of school as we welcome back staff and students,” Superintendent Barry Waller emphasized.
He continued, “We will continue working to lead our community and focus on meeting our students’ needs as we offer innovative opportunities for learning and growth. Our staff is relentless in focusing on helping our students be successful. Together, we will strive to continue to build on the positive momentum of the last several years. We are excited to start a new journey of another school year and partner with our parents and community to chase excellence together.”
Vidalia Heritage Academy Vidalia Heritage Academy students will return to school last, as they begin their new academic year on Friday, August 8.
Longtime Headmaster Jeff McCormick spoke on the new school year, saying, “This year is the beginning of my 20th year here at Vidalia Heritage Academy, and I am more excited than ever as we have so many returning students, and new students.”
He shared that among other changes, the school had experienced an almost 10% increase in enrollment, and had updated several of its facilities. “I think some of the biggest changes this year are just some of our facilities which, because of hurricane Helene, had to be remodeled and reset for the upcoming year. We’re very thankful for those in the community who have worked to make this a possibility through donations, and then just their own personal labor,” McCormick added.
When asked about the school’s goals for the upcoming year, McCormick remarked, “Our theme this year is ‘One purpose… His Glory!’ That simply means we want to reflect excellence in the classroom, on the athletic field, in literary competitions, and in how we reach out and minister in the community. We’re wanting our students and staff to realize that everything they do should be for an audience of One, and that One is Jesus Christ and we want all that we do to reflect His Glory.”
All districts stressed their hopes that students will have a wonderful school year, and encouraged parents and the community to come alongside the school systems to help local youth succeed.