The Hall County School District announced the completion of the newly upgraded learning commons at Flowery Branch High School, West Hall High School, and Wauka Mountain Elementary School. Construction on the new learning commons at Johnson High School will begin this spring, with the space set to open in the fall of 2025.
These state-of-the-art learning spaces were made possible through a generous $100,000 donation from the Melvin Douglas and Victoria Kay Ivester Foundation. Designed to promote creativity, collaboration, and student-focused learning, each school received $25,000 to modernize its learning commons, creating dynamic environments that inspire innovation.
Recognition of individuals
In recognition of individuals who have made a significant impact on the community, each learning commons has been named in their honor:
Flowery Branch High School: The Diane Darby Learning Commons
West Hall High School: The Amanda Griffith Learning Commons
Johnson High School: The Mary Jane Murray Learning Commons
Wauka Mountain Elementary School: The Alana Rochester Learning Commons
The Ivester Foundation has also contributed $1.5 million to enhance three Dual Enrollment Career Ready labs at Lanier College & Career Academy. These labs will equip students with practical, real-world skills and hands-on learning experiences. The labs have been named in honor of key contributors to the foundation’s ongoing support of education in the Gainesville-Hall County area:
Advanced Manufacturing Lab: In honor of Brian Rochester
Auto Collision Repair Lab: In honor of Oliver “Tuffy” Murray
Design and Media Lab: In honor of Swinton A. Griffith III
Gratitude
A celebration to recognize the opportunities these spaces will provide for students—and to honor the individuals for whom they are named—took place Tuesday, March 18, at the Bistro at The Oaks on the Lanier College and Career Academy campus.
Principals from the benefiting schools attended the event, sharing their appreciation for these enhancements.
Superintendent Will Schofield expressed gratitude for the Ivester Foundation’s ongoing commitment to Hall County students. “We are deeply thankful to the Ivester Foundation for investing in world-class learning environments for our young people. These new learning commons and Career Ready labs will have a lasting impact, equipping students with the resources and experiences they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world.”
