About CELA
Georgia’s Pre-K Program was established in 1993 to provide Georgia’s four-year-old children with high-quality preschool experiences. The goal of every Georgia Pre-K classroom is to provide students with the learning experiences they need to prepare for kindergarten. This unique program, funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education, is expected to serve over 84,000 children in this school year. Calhoun Pre K has 10 classes and serves 212 students. We believe in learning through play. We have a highly structured curriculum built around the GELDS (Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards). All lessons are presented through developmentally appropriate activities.
Junior Jacket Academy
This year JJA serves the needs of students ages 2-4 years old. The goal of each Junior Jacket preschool classroom is to provide students with the learning experiences they need to be successful and ready to learn in Pre-K and beyond. Our teachers and assistants are experienced in the needs of our youngest learners and provide lessons and activities focused around the GELDS (Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards). Providing a developmentally appropriate and safe learning environment for preschoolers is our top priority in Junior Jacket Academy.
Pre-K
Georgia’s Pre-K Program was established in 1993 to provide Georgia’s four year old children with high-quality preschool experiences. The goal of every Georgia Pre-K classroom is to provide students with the learning experiences they need to prepare for kindergarten. This unique program, funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education, is expected to serve over 84,000 children in this school year. Calhoun Pre K has 10 classes and serves 212 students. We believe in learning through play. We have a highly structured curriculum built around the GELDS (Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards). All lessons are presented through developmentally appropriate activities.
Kindergarten
This year the JJA serves the needs of 3 and 4 year olds. The goal of every Junior Jacket Academy classroom is to provide students with the learning experiences they need to be successful.
Community
Parents
Our PreK and JJA are built on the idea that the sky's the limit to what our students can achieve. We want to set students on their educational journey in a positive way and to ensure a love for learning.
Students
- Inclement Weather Coursework
Payments
- After School KEEP(opens in new window/tab)
- School Cafe(opens in new window/tab)

Yellow Ducks

Meet the Teachers:

My name is Katie Duggin, and I want to welcome you to the Yellow Duck classroom at Calhoun Pre-K! I am so excited to have you in class this year! We are going to learn a lot and have so much fun!

Originally from Manchester, TN, my family and I moved to Calhoun in 2014. My husband, Jason, works with beef cattle extension for the University of Georgia. We have two wonderful sons who both attend Calhoun Middle School. I can't forget to mention that we have a golden retriever named Hondo! Family time is my favorite time, and we like to spend it playing outside, worshiping at River Bend Church of Christ, and watching football!

I received my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Early Childhood Education from the University of Tennessee. I took some time off when my babies were born, but this will be my eleventh year of teaching Pre-K. I believe with all my heart that children do not care how much you know until they know how much you care, and I am looking forward to getting to know you and your child this year!

Feel free to contact me anytime by email at duggink@calhounschools.org or by our class Remind account. Let's make it the best year ever! Go Jackets!

Hello!

My name is Lorenda Ballew, and I am excited about working with your child in the Yellow Duck room this year. I am in my 22nd year with Calhoun City Schools. I have I have worked at the Primary School in Special Ed and kindergarten, but I LOVE working with the Pre-K students. I have lived in Calhoun my whole life. I have been married for 34 years, and our children's names are Josh and Julia, and I have one grandson named Jaxon and a granddaughter named Emmie.