TNT Academy, the school that made national headlines last month when its founder and then-principal made a racially inflammatory statement at its graduation ceremony, is no longer seeking accreditation from AdvancED, officials said Thursday.
Academy founder Nancy Gordeuk, frustrated when some attendees left the ceremony before it ended, blurted "look who's leaving, all the black people." Her remark, which was videotaped, stunned the audience and created widespread outrage. Gordeuk later apologized for the remarks, but was removed as principal a week later, according to Heidi Anderson, who identified herself as TNT's board chairwoman.
Gordeuk retains a business relationship with the school.
TNT Academy applied last year for accreditation from AdvancED, which is the primary accrediting agency for Georgia public schools. Some colleges require an AdvancED-accredited school diploma before accepting students. AdvancED is the parent company of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
An AdvancED spokeswoman referred any questions about TNT Academy’s application to the school. Efforts to contact the academy were unsuccessful late Thursday. Gordeuk and others involved with the academy have not returned several requests for comment.
TNT Academy, in Gwinnett County near Stone Mountain, is one of about 140 non-traditional educational centers in the state. The schools are private entities intended to offer tutoring, social activities and select courses to children being schooled at home. TNT Academy still has its standing as a non-traditional educational center. It is not part of the Gwinnett school system.
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