When can my family visit Stratford Academy?

We would love to have you visit while school is in session so you can experience Stratford “in action” through a campus tour or a shadow day; however, if you cannot make it during the school year, tours are available year-round.Please contact the Admissions Office at 478-477-8073 ext. 203 to set up an appointment.

How diverse is your student body?

Diversity is very important to us. We are dedicated to being a school community which represents a broad range of ethnic, religious, socioeconomic, and racial diversity. Students of color represent 21% of our current population.

How do I arrange a shadow day for my child?

We recommend that all applicants visit Stratford for a shadow day to get a true feel for our school. Please contact the Admissions Office at 478-477-8073 ext. 203 to schedule a shadow day. We like to hear from you personally so we can get an idea of your child’s interests inside and outside of the classroom before paring him or her with a shadow buddy.

What does Stratford look for in candidates for admissions?

In every applicant’s case, Stratford looks for a “good fit” - academically, socially, and behaviorally. Our goal is to admit students who have the will to work hard and the desire to be successful.

Does my child need to take a test to be considered for admission?

Yes. All applicants need to take our admissions test. The test can be scheduled in conjunction with a shadow day or campus tour or on a separate day. Please contact the Admissions Office at 478-477-8073 ext. 203 to schedule your child’s admissions test.

How do I apply for financial aid?

Our financial aid application opens November 15th. Anyone can apply for our need-based aid. Go to www.sssbynais.org and click on parent portal. New users will have to create an account. You must reapply for financial aid every year.

Olson Library - Stratford Academy

Mission Statement:
The mission of the Olson Library is to assist members of the learning community in becoming effective users of ideas, information and technology and to foster a love of reading.

In 1998, the Olson Library was first made possible by Stratford parents, Beverly and Edmund Olson, who pledged a million dollar leadership gift. Other donors followed their lead and generously pledged so Stratford could continue the tradition of excellence by providing a state-of-the-art facility that creates a superior learning environment and provides the best in educational experience for Stratford students. Multiple study areas allow for both group project and individual study.

A 17,500 square foot facility, the Olson Library houses the library collections for Beginners through grade 12 . The Robert Adger Bowen Wing is the site for the middle and upper school collection, as well as a state-of -the- art video production studio. The Ann Martin Bowen Wing of the Olson Library is the site designated for preschool and lower school literature, special events and learning. The Olson Library showcases not only book collections but works of art, the latest technological equipment , media tools, and updated collaborative workspaces.

Library Services

Olson Library Hours:
Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Scheduled events should be coordinated through the Registrar in conjunction with the Head of the Olson Library. The use of the library is encouraged by library staff.

The Olson Library is an active hub for collaboration and learning. Stratford staff , families, and students gather to use the many resources, services, spaces, and experiences that the library provides. The Olson Library encourages technologically based learning through the use of the many database learning sites offered, eBooks, Georgia’s online library, and media resources. The new library learning center features collegiate level design , collaborative work spaces, and resources. The Academic Resource page on Stratford’s website allows databases and additional resources to be accessed from home with passwords and logins for staff and students. For the traditional learner, Stratford offers over 27,000 books and resources that are easily located using the four iPad station look-ups. Desk tops computers are available for all students to use as well as high speed copiers. supplies, and printing in a variety of formats.

The primary purpose of the library is to support, enrich, and extend the educational program at Stratford Academy. To this end every effort is made to purchase, organize, maintain library resources and services to facilitate their use by staff, students, and parents. The Olson Library has been recently transformed into unique areas where focusing on exploration , creative thinking , and centering on innovation is emphasized. The welcoming atmosphere is conducive to optimal learning. Teacher resource rooms are available with many helpful resources. Student sound proof study areas are also available when needed.

Circulation and classroom visits:
Preschool students may check out two books each week at their regularly scheduled library visit. Lower School students may check out their grade level plus one book. Students working on projects may need additional books per week. Faulty and parents are welcome to check out as many books as needed for their use with the students. The library has an open concept. Faculty are welcome to bring students to checkout additional books in small groups or whole classes at any time during the school day. Parents may bring their children in the afternoons after school to use the computers and checkout additional books. This new library concept helps facilitate good reading habits.

Middle and High School students as well as their teachers may check out as many books as needed for learning to be enriched. Research and reference materials may be checked out for two days. Classrooms are encouraged to visit the library in small and large groups. Individual assistance is also given to the students both during and after school. Student groups are encouraged to use the library space for projects. If specific lessons are requested by faculty please arrange with the library director.

Overdue and Lost Books:
In the event a book or resource is damaged or lost the responsible party for the student who checked the book out will be billed on their Stratford student account for the cost of replacement book plus a $7.00 processing fee. The non-refundable processing fee covers recovering, laminating and cataloging fees. Every effort will be given to faculty with lost books to locate them. Lost books returned after three months will not be given credit since they would have been replaced at this point. Any books not paid for at the end of the school year are turned over to the Registrar.

Journalism/News Area

Stratford’s journalism program has become a vibrant addition to the Olson Library. Classes meet daily in the classroom/teaching lab, with access to library resources, making it a true communications hub for the school.

There are upper school classes for The Gazebo (news site) and one class for The Overlook (yearbook). Students develop skills in writing, editing, photography, videography, broadcasting, podcasting, social media responsibility, layout, website design, advertising/marketing and ethics.

Journalism classes have access to a broadcasting studio in the northwest wing of the library. The centerpiece is the former anchor desk for WMAZ-TV, which was donated in November 2018. Students do a weekly broadcast for The Gazebo, as well as the announcements every morning. Middle and lower school students broadcast their news monthly.

Resources

The mission of the Olson Library is to assist members of the learning community in becoming effective users of ideas, information and technology and to foster a love of reading. The library also offers support and enrichment to the educational program at Stratford Academy. To this end, every effort is made to purchase, organize and maintain library resources and services to facilitate their use by faculty, students and parents. The Olson Library contains more than 36,500 print and electronic books, videos and DVDs. In addition, the library subscribes to numerous periodicals and electronic databases.

There are computers available for student use and four i-Pad look-up stations. There are multiple printers, photocopy machines as well as digital cameras, a drone and state-of-the-art media equipment.

Destiny, the online library catalog, is online and may be accessed on and off campus.

Electronic resources ( previously available on the Olson Library page ) are available to students, parents and faculty, and may be accessed by clicking the ELECTRONIC ACADEMIC RESOURCES icon under Resources in the My Stratford portal.

The Library is a collaborative workspace and learning area where reading is enhanced in every area of technology.

Copyright Information

Can I use this?

What is Plagiarism?

Lower/Middle school

Copyright Kids! supplies information about copyright aimed at elementary or middle school students.
Copyright with Cyberbee is a simple interactive question and answer lesson on copyright for elementary or middle school students.
Copyright for Students provides simple guidelines for students working on projects.

Upper School

What do you think about intellectual property? Copyright and Intellectual Property page; interesting video about music and intellectual property rights for high school and college students.
This Permission Template for harvested internet sites provides an easy way to request and document permission to use information from Web sites.

Teachers & Librarians

A Fair(y) Use Tale is a humorous commentary on copyright and fair use policies from.
Fair Use Checklist is a valuable tool to help educators and librarians evaluate whether a contemplated use actually fits the fair use provisions of copyright law.
The Podcasting Legal Guide from the Creative Commons highlights copyright issues to consider when creating podcasts.
Teaching Copyright from the Electronic Frontier Foundation contains a five-lesson curriculum for teens, including handouts and recommended books and articles.
Copyright 101 Tutorial includes short videos, reference materials, case studies and a game.
The ALA Copyright page provides information on copyright from the American Library Association (ALA).
Copyright and Fair Use Guidelines for Teachers is a 2-page chart with copyright guidelines for teachers from author and Discovery Educator Network Director Hall Davidson.
The Educator's Guide to Copyright and Fair Use, from Education World, is a series of articles with information on copyright, fair use, new technologies, and school district liability.
The United States Copyright Office at the Library of Congress includes information on copyright basics and on how to register a work for copyright. Users may search U.S. copyright records, and download many forms and brochures.
Issues of U.S. Copyright Law Relating to the Use of Movies in the Classroom from Teachwithmovies.org for information on use of movies in the classroom for instructional purposes.
Patents, Trademarks & Copyrights
http://nationalparalegal.edu/public_documents/courseware_asp_files/patents/menu_patents.asp

The Olson Library Staff:

Beth Passante
Director of Library Services
beth.passante@stratford.org
478-477-8073 ext. 237

Olson Library Hours:
Monday – Thursday
7:40 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday
7:40 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Scheduled events should be coordinated by the Registrar and the Director of the Olson Library

Mission Statement: The mission of the Olson Library is to assist members of the learning community in becoming effective users of ideas, information and technology and to foster a love of reading.

The Olson Library Staff:

Mission Statement:
The mission of the Olson Library is to assist members of the learning community in becoming effective users of ideas, information and technology and to foster a love of reading.