About
Ivy Preparatory Academy is the first single-gender, K-8 charter school for girls in Georgia, educating families in DeKalb County, Clayton County, South Fulton, and Atlanta Public Schools.
The Right Choice for Girls
Our Vision
Ivy Preparatory Academy cultivates female leaders who manifest change in the world.
Our Mission
Ivy Preparatory Academy fosters a culture of collaboration, passion for learning, integrity, and servant leadership in an environment designed especially for girls.
Our Story
In 2007 Dr. Nina Gilbert and Angelina Howell founded Ivy Preparatory Academy, making it Georgia’s first state public charter school for girls. Dr. Gilbert, a former Gwinnett County Schools administrator, was motivated to start a charter school by her passion for education and her frustration with children being labeled and shuffled by their demographics and disabilities within the public school system.
"If someone had given me a glimpse of what the past four years would have looked like or what I would have had to endure, I probably wouldn't have started on this journey," said Gilbert to the AJC, "I am so glad faith is blind." We are so glad Dr. Gilbert continued on her path.
Receiving the first charter from the State Board of the Georgia Department of Education in January of 2008, Ivy Prep opened the doors of the Gwinnett Campus, to our first class of 6th-grade students in August of 2008. Ivy Prep, bloomed into a high-performing middle and high school of 500 students, which grew despite being turned down by two local school districts.
In 2011, Ivy Preparatory Academy expanded to our second campus, Ivy Preparatory Academy at Kirkwood for Girls. Gilbert and Howell shaped Ivy Prep to prepare scholars for the rigor of college. Ivy Prep has met and exceeded state goals in several areas for students on Georgia's state standardized tests. In 2011, 94 percent of students met or exceeded in math, 97 percent in reading and 98 percent in English/language arts on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test.
Ivy Prep is delighted to offer a college preparatory, single-gender educational option to our scholars. IPA students receive an extended school day and school year through the addition of Culture Week, Saturday Academies, and weekly homework support for scholars who need additional academic assistance.
Simply stated we are the Right Choice for Girls.
Our Culture
SISTERHOOD
We believe in the honorable premise of unity and uplifting of young women in order to teach and assist them with building higher levels of self-worth, self-respect, self-esteem, self-awareness, and self-confidence.
SCHOLARSHIP
We believe in well-rounded young women who possess the necessary academic skills and knowledge and are excited about learning.
SERVICE
We believe that we as a network must serve and help each other, our scholars and their families, volunteers, and community partners through mutually beneficial
arrangements. We recognize that our continued success is dependent on serving our stakeholders effectively.
What is an Ivy Pearl Girl?
BOLD: She has her own opinions. She is proud to let them be presented to the world. She will not hesitate.
RARE: She is only cultivated in one place; Ivy Preparatory Academy.
POWERFUL: She is secure in herself. She takes action, makes positive choices about her own life, and does positive things for others.
VERSATILE: She can do anything; she is smart, plays sports, belongs to clubs, and LEADS.
SOPHISTICATED: She is aware of her social graces.
ELEGANT: She is poised and polite. She demonstrates her poise by being kind and respectful to everyone around her.