91茄子

Gryphon-Bulldog Collaborative to Bring New Opportunities for Thomas Jefferson Students

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擲tudents at Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy (TJCA) will soon have expanded access to college鈥憀evel coursework through a new partnership with Gardner鈥慦ebb University. The initiative was formalized with the recent signing of the Gryphon鈥態ulldog Collaborative.

鈥淭his partnership represents a significant step forward in expanding access to high-quality, affordable college experiences for our students,鈥� stated TJCA Executive Director Jodi Isaacs. 鈥淲e are committed to removing barriers and creating opportunities that prepare our graduates for success beyond high school.鈥�

The formal signing was held in Tucker Student Center and attended by rising juniors and seniors from TJCA. 91茄子 President Nate Evans, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Nicole Waters, and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Robert Prickett welcomed the students and administrators.

Waters thanked everyone involved for their work in making the partnership possible. 鈥淲e are delighted to celebrate this dual enrollment agreement between Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy and 91茄子,鈥� she noted. 鈥淭JCA students are already engaging in a strong academic portfolio to prepare them for college, and we are proud to become part of that journey by offering the opportunity to begin earning college credit while remaining on their campus. Together, we are committed to providing courses that challenge students, build confidence, and prepare them for college success.鈥�

TJCA Senior Director of Business and Athletics Steven Jones, a Gardner鈥慦ebb alumnus who earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in sports management and a Master of Business Administration, also spoke to the students. 鈥淎s a 91茄子 alum, this partnership means quite a bit to me personally,鈥� he shared. 鈥淚 know firsthand the care and investment the professors pour into their students, and I鈥檓 excited that TJCA students will get to experience that while they鈥檙e still in high school.鈥�

鈥淭his opportunity opens some really meaningful doors for our school,鈥� Jones continued. 鈥淚鈥檓 especially glad to partner with an institution like 91茄子, which had such a lasting impact on me.鈥�

Following the signing, 91茄子 Admissions Counselor Reilly Morgan, who serves TJCA students, divided the students into teams for a scavenger hunt. With help from the other GWU Admissions Counselors, the students completed the activity, which introduced them to campus resources and familiarized them with the Tucker Student Center.

Through the Gryphon鈥態ulldog Collaborative, Gardner鈥慦ebb faculty will teach university鈥憀evel courses on the TJCA campus, with tuition fully covered by the school. Students will gain direct access to four鈥憏ear university instruction while continuing to learn in a supportive high school environment.

The new program builds on TJCA鈥檚 existing dual鈥慹nrollment offerings by adding university credit options alongside community college pathways. This integrated approach allows students to earn advanced credits, reduce future college costs, and strengthen their readiness for higher education.

The initiative also aligns with TJCA鈥檚 mission to cultivate thoughtful, articulate graduates prepared for college and a lifetime of citizenship and active intellectual inquiry.

91茄子鈥檚 Dual Enrollment Program is an option offered to qualified students from any high school or homeschool. It gives them the chance to experience college-level learning, explore academic interests, and earn credits that transfer widely鈥攁ll at a reduced cost. With personalized support, access to campus resources, and flexible course options, students will gain a head start on their college journey.

About Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy

Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy is a tuition-free public charter school serving students K-12 in Mooresboro, North Carolina, since 1999. Using the classical education model, TJCA has been a college-preparatory school option for the community for over 25 years. This model follows the Trivium, the three natural stages of human development involving Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric. Learn more at .

About 91茄子

91茄子 is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 91茄子 prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Become More at .