About Us
About ACA West
AUGUSTINE CLASSICAL ACADEMY (ACA) is a well-established, accredited transcript program for home-educated high school students. Located in Gwinnett County, and under the direction of Andrea Nelson, ACA has been accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission (GAC) since 2013. ACA has consistently received “Accredited with Quality” status which is the highest accreditation rating awarded by GAC. With the growing number of home-educated high school students throughout the state of Georgia, ACA has opened a second administrative office in Cherokee County, AUGUSTINE CLASSICAL ACADEMY WEST (ACA West). Students enrolled through the ACA West office will be under the umbrella of ACA and will receive an accredited transcript and high school diploma from Augustine Classical Academy, just as those enrolled through ACA’s main office.
The desire of ACA West is to prepare home-educated high school students for their next steps after high school through accreditation, coaching, and advising. We believe that while college is one possible path after graduation, it is not the only path. Technical/vocational colleges, trade schools, the armed services, a gap year at home or abroad, or going directly into the job market are all viable options. Whatever a student’s path may be, we want to help parents prepare their students for success as they work towards their goals. Through our accredited transcript program, we ensure that our students meet all state requirements for a Georgia high school diploma. We also ensure that our college bound students meet the core course requirements for college admissions. Our program includes academic advising to help parents map out a Plan of Study for the school year. Our coaching program mentors parents in the day-to-day "how-to's" of homeschooling.
Michelle Newbold
Sandy Cole
Michelle Newbold [High School and College Planning Advisor] – Michelle has been married for 29 years to her best friend and high school sweetheart, Craig. They have four kids whom they have homeschooled from almost the beginning: one is a college graduate from Ole Miss with a B.S. in Integrated Marketing and Communications and working full time, one is a Junior at UGA in Chemistry, a Freshman at UGA in Advertising, and one left at home in high school. They are active in their local church. Michelle helps families prepare to launch their students into adulthood with study skills classes, transcript help, and college planning. They are looking forward to sending their kids out as influencers in this world. You can often find them making memories on long road trip vacations or on Lake Weiss in Alabama. michellenewbold@acawest.org
Sandy Cole [Admissions and Dual Enrollment Advisor] -
Sandy has been married to her husband, Barry, for almost 40 years. After graduating from college in Texas, they moved to Georgia where they raised and homeschooled their two sons from kindergarten through high school. They are now proud grandparents of six grandchildren! Sandy has worked in homeschool administration and accreditation since 2005. She loves working with the homeschool community and desires to help every type of learner, from the struggling to the accelerated. sandycole@acawest.org
Accredited Transcript Program
HIGH SCHOOL - Annual academic advising, accredited transcripts, high school diplomas, optional graduation ceremony
COLLEGE - Planning and advising for dual enrollment and college applications
HOPE SCHOLARSHIP - Eligible the 1st semester of college freshman year for qualifying students
Benefits of Accrediting with ACA West
Fully Accredited with Georgia Accrediting Commission (GAC)
GAC Accreditation is accepted by all colleges and universities nationwide
Video appointments and advising available for anyone in Georgia
Verification that all high school requirements are met to graduate
Accept all qualifying classes completed at home, on-line, with a tutor, in small groups or hybrid classes, or college classes through dual enrollment
Assist students in working towards their specific goals during high school and after graduation
Annual Plan-of-Study advising for upcoming school year
Provide transcript to utilize the Dexter Mosely Act for homeschool students participating in public high school extracurricular and interscholastic activities
Dual Enrollment opportunities available at all participating Georgia colleges
Graduation ceremony available with cap and gown, senior video, leather-bound diploma presentation.
Official high school diploma
Advising for college-bound students for college admissions
Weighted GPA
Senior Class Valedictorian and Salutatorian - determined by weighted GPA
Letters of recommendation available for college applications and scholarships
Official transcripts uploaded to GaFutures, the Common App or directly to colleges
Accredited home-educated students receive the same HOPE & Zell Miller scholarship eligibility requirements as public and private school students, instead of the more restrictive and stringent requirements for non-accredited home-educated students.