Foothills Regional High School

10/08/2026

Some students simply do better learning from home.

A quieter environment, fewer distractions, more control over the pace of the day, or the ability to balance school with work and family responsibilities can make a big difference.

Foothills Virtual is available part-time or full-time, giving students the flexibility to learn from home while continuing to earn the credits they need for graduation.

Teachers are available from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for one-on-one help, tutoring, questions, and encouragement. Every student also has a Success Coach who checks in regularly on progress.

For the right student, virtual learning can create the space, structure, and support they need to make progress.

At Foothills, we help students keep moving forward. Learn more at https://www.foothillsrhs.org/o/frhs/page/foothills-virtual

10/06/2026

For Tucker Whitley, high school and his career are happening at the same time.

While working toward his diploma at Foothills Regional High School’s Morgan site, Tucker is also growing his own lawn care business.

Foothills gives students opportunities to start building their future before graduation. For some, that means dual enrollment or career training. For Tucker, it means entrepreneurship.

As a full-time Foothills student, Tucker works with his Success Coach to create a plan that helps him balance school and work. His teachers and Success Coach provide the encouragement and support he needs to keep making progress toward graduation.

“I like that I can work on my own time, while growing my business,” Tucker said.

Tucker is on track to graduate, with real-world business experience already under his belt.

Lawns by day. Lessons by night.

10/01/2026

Students at Foothills work independently through our 10-module Canvas courses, but they are never expected to figure everything out on their own.

When a student has a question, needs help understanding the content, or wants to review before a quiz, certified teachers are there to provide one-on-one support.

If they need remediation before retaking an assessment, teachers help them strengthen their understanding. And sometimes, what a student needs most is a little encouragement or reassurance to keep going.

Foothills requires content mastery, and we pair that expectation with a strong support system to help students build the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed.

At Foothills, we help students keep moving forward.

09/29/2026

Starting at a new school can be intimidating.

You do not know where to go, who to ask for help, where people sit, or what to expect when you walk through the door.

Baldwin Foothills is helping make that transition easier with its first student ambassador, Alexandra McDade.

As a student ambassador, Alexandra will welcome new students, show them around the building, answer questions, and help them feel more comfortable as they get started.

The role is one more way Baldwin Foothills is building a strong sense of community. From staff to students to families, the goal is to make sure people feel welcomed, supported, and connected from the beginning.

Because sometimes the first step toward belonging is simply having someone there to say, "You're in the right place."

09/26/2026

Families are an important part of student success at Foothills!

Our Parent & Family Engagement Plan outlines how we will keep families informed, ask for feedback, and use that input to strengthen how we support students.

We’re also inviting parents and guardians to join our Family Advisory Council. Members will hear updates from Foothills leaders, share feedback, and help us improve throughout the year. It will also include Title I Planning.

Learn more and sign up to participate on our website at

Learn how Foothills partners with families, shares Title I information, gathers feedback, and invites parents to join the Family Advisory Council

09/24/2026

At Foothills, students are known by name.

Each evening, our receptionists welcome students in, help them get their Chromebook and materials, and make it easy to get straight to work.

From there, students are surrounded by people who know them, know their progress, and encourage them along the way. Site directors, teachers, Success Coaches, and even our SROs notice when students are moving forward and step in when they need support.

That small, welcoming environment is an important part of the Foothills experience.

09/22/2026

Joanna McElhannon knew she needed a smaller learning environment.

That is why she enrolled full-time at Foothills Regional High School’s Oglethorpe site.

At Foothills, a smaller learning environment means students do not have to compete for a teacher’s attention or worry about getting lost in the crowd. They have access to focused individual instruction, one-on-one tutoring, and staff who coach, encourage, and help them keep moving forward.

For Joanna, that kind of environment felt like a better fit.

At Foothills, students are known. They are supported. And they are never just a number.

09/17/2026

Collaboration makes all of us stronger.

Foothills leaders joined colleagues from Completion Special Schools across Georgia, along with leaders from the Georgia Department of Education, for two days of learning, sharing, and connection.

From innovative practices and virtual learning to student services, career preparation, legislative priorities, and the day-to-day work of serving students differently, the retreat gave us a valuable opportunity to learn from one another and bring new ideas back to our own schools.

We are grateful for the chance to connect with peers who understand this work and share the same commitment to helping more students succeed.

When schools learn from one another, students benefit.

Thank you, Mountain Education, Coastal Plains High School,
Discovery Regional High School, and welcome Southern Rivers High School!

09/15/2026

For Damon Zamora, Foothills did more than help him earn his high school diploma. It helped him begin building a career.

Before coming to Foothills Regional High School’s Madison site, Damon was having difficulty in crowded classrooms and struggled to keep up, especially in math. The smaller classroom environment at Foothills helped him feel less overstimulated, while one-on-one support gave him the additional help he needed.

That support helped Damon keep moving forward toward graduation while also pursuing a different path to his diploma through the Accelerated Career Diploma.

As a full-time Foothills student, Damon participated in the Accelerated Career Diploma pathway at Athens Technical College, combining required high school coursework with postsecondary technical training. He credits Foothills staff, including Michelle and Landine Krowlikowsky, with helping him work through challenges in math along the way.

Today, Damon is a Foothills graduate and remains enrolled at Athens Technical College, where he is studying HVAC.

His advice to other students reflects the persistence that helped him get there: “If you keep doing your work, you will make it."

Pictured: Graduate Damon Zamora with teacher Jay Beebe and Success Coach Deann Phillips at Foothills Regional High School’s Madison site.

09/10/2026

Foothills is aligning leadership around one goal: better support for students, staff, and sites.

This year, Bonnie Knight and Todd Nickelsen stepped into expanded district leadership roles, and Shenley Rountree joined the team to lead communications and workforce initiatives.

Together, the structure is designed to create clearer responsibilities, stronger coordination, and closer support across the district.

Meet the team and learn more about the changes:

Foothills Regional High School Superintendent Dr. Dale Simpson has implemented a new leadership s...