Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little and together we can do so much.” These words reflect the growth at Ramah Junior Academy (RJA) in Savannah, Ga., RJA is one of the premiere schools in the South Atlantic Conference. Paula Blackwell, principal, and the school board have embarked on a mission to revitalize Ramah. Their mission is to provide a Christ-centered learning environment where faith and knowledge meet. They believed in revitalizing Ramah in order to support their students by providing them with quality tools, resources, and a learning environment that supports their education.
This past year RJA received a donation from the family of Helen Bennett who was a member of the West Broad Church in Savannah for many years. The family donated more than $20K for technology upgrades needed at the school. This gift launched the mobile MacBook lab for the students. In addition to the technology upgrades, the classrooms have been outfitted with brand new Promethean Boards partially paid for by the Versacare grant which RJA won during the previous school year.
This year marks Ramah’s 108th school year, and the administration is full steam ahead. The leadership set out to revamp the school, and much has been done to the campus. New paint for the classrooms and school building. The science lab was renovated with new paint, and new equipment was purchased and old furniture was repurposed. Now the space can host the morning announcements, music, and science. Ramah’s new Innovation Lab was dedicated by Savannah Mayor Van Johnson. This momentous occasion was shared virtually with the community.
Ramah has almost doubled their enrollment since the 2019-2020 school year. The school has focused their efforts on revamping the classrooms, the facility, and reconnecting with the community with various community projects and partnerships.
Two of Ramah’s latest partnerships are with local State Representative Derek Mallow and the Boys Club of Savannah. The Boys Scouts of America is sponsoring a STEM Club at Ramah this year. The club pays all of the fees and equipment for the entire club. The curriculum this year covers middle school modules: “Microbiology Coming into Focus” (microbiology), “Criminal Case Files” (forensic science), “Science Behind the Sport” (from West Virginia University), “Star Traveler” (astronomy), and “Reactions in Action” (chemistry, in partnership with American Chemists Society).
The elementary club includes “Flying, Falling, Fluid” (aerodynamics, partnership with iFLy), “Into the Wild” (wildlife biology), “Engineering” (mechanical, biomedical, chemical, and environmental), “Micro:bit” (computer programming/coding, Eduporium), and “Digging into History” (archeology).
The school family is excited about the progress God has made at Ramah, and they look forward to His continued blessings.
South Atlantic | March 2022
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