fundraising campaign to develop a new middle school building. He strengthened the academy's fine arts program, Spanish and mathematics curriculum, and technology focus, especially in robotics. He also added a mentoring program, providing support for students with learning challenges. Interim head of school John Simpson served for the 2019–2020 school year. He brought 14 years of service at Lakeview, including roles in admission and external relations, and as dean of students and coach. Kristy Montgomery served as head from 2020 to 2022. Her leadership through the COVID pandemic "resulted in Lakeview staying open throughout 18 months of pandemic restrictions". A group of ten parents protested that "the school's board of trustees, the administration and its COVID-19 task force — which includes a local pediatrician, an emergency physician, and a registered school nurse — unanimously decided on Aug. 8 to mandate masks based on the surge in coronavirus cases in the area". When surveyed in 2020, "97% of parents reported being satisfied with the school's overall response to the coronavirus pandemic, with 75% rating the response as excellent". John Simpson's tenure as head of school began in 2022. Athletics Formerly a GHSA member, in 2022 Lakeview Academy changed to a Class AAA member of the Georgia Independent Athletic Association. Basketball athlete Reno Earls was "a trailblazer, as one of the first black players at Lakeview Academy... one of the best in Hall County in the 1990s. He finished his career with the Lions in 1995 with a school-record 2,041 points." Earls died at age 44 in 2022, of complications due to COVID. Notable alumni Zac Brown, musician Ralston Cash, professional baseball player Dakota Chalmers, professional baseball player Matt Dubnik, member of Georgia House of Representatives Patrick Phillips, poet, professor, and translator References External links Niche reviews Private K-12 schools in Georgia (U.S. state) Gainesville, Georgia Educational institutions established in 1970 Schools in Hall County, Georgia Preparatory schools in Georgia (U.S. state) Segregation academies in Georgia 1970 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)