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Matt Hermes

Gwinnett County Schools Set ACT Record

Aug 14th 2008
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Gwinnett County Public Schools students have set a record for the system’s highest-ever composite score on the ACT. The ACT is a curriculum-based test designed to measure college preparedness.  The Counties average composite score of 22.2 out of a possible 36 points is also higher than the state’s average of 20.6 points and the national average of 21.1 points, a news release states.

A closer look also shows that more Gwinnett County students took the ACT during the 2007-08 school year than ever before, and the average scores on the individual tests also rose.  (The) results are a direct reflection of the great teaching and learning that occurs in our high schools,” said Jorge Quintana, the school district’s spokesman. “Our teachers truly care about our students, and are committed to preparing them for a bright and successful future.”

In Georgia, high school seniors made gains on the ACT, even as the national average for the college readiness exam fell.

The state’s composite ACT score rose to 20.6 in 2008, up from 20.3 in 2007. Nationally, the number fell to 21.1, down from 21.2 last year. Georgia’s scores increased in every subject area tested by the ACT and the state moved up three spots to 41st, up from 44 in 2007 and 47 in 2002.  Gwinnett, Cobb and Fulton counties led the state in schools with the highest scores, as each school district had at least five schools with scores above 22. 

The results of these test scores are welcome news to anyone who has children in the school system and we all should be extremely proud of all students, teachers and school administrative personnel. Congratulations to all.

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Matt Hermes

Hamilton Mill - Dominion Classical School To Offer 5 Day a Week Program

Aug 4th 2008
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Back in the Fall of 2006 a small Christian School opened in the Hamilton Mill area and if you have not heard about it yet, well here is your chance. We have just received word that Dominion Classical Christian Academy is adding a 5 day program to option for families who desire a traditional day-school approach along with a classical format.

Dominion Classical Christian Academy is a private, preparatory academy in Lawrenceville, GA. The Academy’s mission is to help families advance the Kingdom of God by covenanting with parents to equip their children with a Biblical worldview and a thirst for learning. Classes began in the Fall of 2006 with classes in K4-6th grade with the goal to add a class each year until Dominion is K4-12th grade. The Dialectic School will begin with 7th grade in the 2008-09 school year.

The Academy seeks to accomplish this task through a classical and Christ-centered education which utilizes a university schedule format.

As a member school of the Association of Classical Christian Schools, Dominion is one of only four classical Christian schools in the greater metro Atlanta area and the only such school in Gwinnett County.

SCHEDULE:

Because of Dominion’s commitment to covenantal education, we use a university-schedule approach. The university schedule is a 5-day educational program with 3 days per week in a traditional classroom setting and 2 days of home-based academic work. Parent-friendly packets are sent home for the work to be completed outside the classroom.

The schedule allows parents to be involved in their children’s education (in keeping with Deuteronomy and Ephesians), and encourages children to see the home as the “center of gravity” for their lives.

The schedule is:

K4 and K5 Program - 3 days per week (MWF) for half a day (8:30-12:30) or full day (8:30-2:30). Afternoons are an enrichment period, including arts and music.

Grammar School (grades 1-6) - 3 days per week (MWF) for a full school day (8:30-2:30).

For more information, contact the school office at 770-338-7945 or visit the schools website at www.DominionClassical.org.


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Matt Hermes

Hamilton Mill “Hammerheads” Swim Team Heads To County

Jul 14th 2008
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The Hamilton Mill “Hammerhead” swim team just finished another successful season and is sending a record number of swimmers to the Gwinnett County Championships to be held at Georgia Tech on July 19th and 20th.

As a father of two swimmers, one of which is heading to the County meet, I can tell you that each and every one of our children should be congratulated on the efforts put forward this year. In my families three years on the Hamilton Mill swim team, there continues to be a vast improvement every year.

A big thanks goes out to all the coaches and volunteers that take the time and effort to make the Hamilton Mill swim team what it is today. We are a rapidly improving program and one that will continue to improve with the continued support of the community in which we live.

This year we are sending over 70 swimmers to the County meet. Congratulations to all of you.  Here is a list of those who have earned the right to swim for the County championship.

Laurel Anderson        Callie Anton        Alison Ashburn        Jordan Ashwood        Madeline Ahswood        Nick Atkinson

Brooks Barton            Rachel Boyd        Austin Brooks         Danielle Brooks           Gianna Brooks               Christian Cardona

Bryce Coleman           Caitlyn Costa      Courtney Costa       Haley Eason                 John Evans                    Morgan Fields

Grant Gibson             Madison Gibson   Carlos Gonzalez    Sebastian Gonzalez      Michael Grimaldi          Joey Gump

Finn Hardin                Maddy Hermes    Katie Hill                David Holcomb            Joey Kempf                    Coogan Koerts

Nick Kozlowski          Jacob LaRosa        John LaRosa          Shayne Lastinger        Hayley Lawrence          Sarah Lowry

Jake Magahey            Shay Magahey    Chandler Martin    Emily Martin                Gracie Martin                Bryan Murphy

Mark Murphy            Thomas Murphy Grant Niekamp      Jordan Niekamp        Hannah Ochoa                Stefano Ochoa

Kathryn Padova         Matt Padova        Charlton Pritchett  M.E. Pritchett           Sydney Purnell                Victor Rivera

Jordan Rooks             Kendall Schwefler  Madison Schwefler Reece Sharpe         Hannah Shaw                    Brian Smith

Daniel Smith               Samantha Smith    Sydney Staunton    Jose Tomei            Stamatis Tzimourtas        Tom White

Bailey Williams          Riley Woods            Lindsey Wrolson   Madeline Wrolson

Congratulations again to all our swimmers who participated this year and best of luck to those heading to Georgia Tech.

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Matt Hermes

Hamilton Mill / Dacula Market Update

Jul 7th 2008
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Hamilton Mill has seen its share of both good and bad times in the real estate industry in the past couple of years and while no one is saying we are through the troubled times, there is reason to be optimistic that the worst has come and gone. As you all have heard and read, real estate is a local market. One market may be going gangbusters, while another market in the same general area is really in a downturn.

For the past 10+ years the Hamilton Mill market has been perceived and will continue to be perceived as a premier place to live and with that comes some positive real estate industry news.

For one, we are starting to see more and more homes going under contract which is good for all of us. Yes, prices are not where we want them to be but homes are starting to sell. Currently there are 13 homes under contract in Hamilton Mill and two more are about to go under contract that we know of.

Here are some statistics to ponder if you are considering buying or selling a home within Hamilton Mill from the Altos Research website.

The median single family home price in Dacula is $269,900

Median single family home price in Hamilton Mill is over $400,000.

Dacula average days on market is: 112 and the trend is moving downward.

Percent of properties in Dacula with price reductions: 42%

Buyers market currently set at a 15. This shows that it is still a buyers market but is moving higher which tends to indicate we are past the “bottom”. Two months ago this number sat at a 7. There is several months of inventory available at the current sales rate. Buyers should find ample choices available.

For more information regarding the Hamilton Mill / Dacula area please feel free to email us at mhermes@diamonddwellings.com or call us at 678-279-4717 and we will be happy to provide more detailed information to you.

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Matt Hermes

Hamilton Mill -July 4th Celebration

Jul 3rd 2008
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Hey neighbors, what are your plans for the Fourth of July?

There is sooo much to do in and around Hamilton Mill this weekend. Obviously this year the 4th falls on a Friday which will create even more opportunities to hang out with friends and family.  My family is staying local (I hate traveling on holidays because of the traffic) but I have numerous friends heading out to go camping, the beach or any number of other area and out of town attractions.

Locally, the three main places to be on July 4th to watch the fireworks are as follows:

1. Park a chair in your driveway and watch the neighbors attempt to create their own fireworks show (please be careful with this one).

2. Mall of Georgia - Fireworks are always pretty good and there are numerous activities for the kids. They have all kinds of entertainment as well as food of all types. Hint: get there early and stay late to avoid the traffic.

3. Chateau Elan - Fireworks are about the same caliber as the Mall of Georgia, but I would put the Mall just a bit ahead of Chateau Elan. However the traffic is not as bad and the atmosphere is a little more laid back than the Mall.

My choice is Chateau Elan if I were to head out to see the fireworks, but I will probably hang out with some friends in my driveway where we can actually see both the Mall of Ga. and Chateau Elan’s at the same time.

Have a safe and happy 4th and always remember why we are celebrating. Make it a great day.

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