The Global Achievers program was begun in 1995 following a meeting of Georgia and Scottish education and business representatives at the National Association of partners in Education Conference in Washington, D.C.

   Due to the natural kinship between the Scottish representatives and the Georgians, the "Scottish Project" was developed. Georgia Power sponsored a two-year pilot project that included six Georgia Schools. Bette Hickman served as project coordinator.

The six original partnerships were:

Evans Middle School (Newnan, GA) - Grange Academy, Scotland

Newnan High School (Newnan, GA) - Greenwood Academy, Scotland

Sandy Creek High School (Peachtree City, GA) - Wellington Academy, Scotland

McIntosh High School (Peachtree City, GA) - St. Conval's Academy, Scotland

Elm Street Elementary School (Newnan, GA) - Darvel Primary School, Scotland

Burch Elementary (Tyrone, GA) - Dalry Primary School, Scotland

   In 1997, Achievers International-Georgia was incorporated as a non-profit organization, a Board of Directors was named, and Bette Hickman was employed as Executive Director. The program was and continues to be supported by gifts from businesses and corporations interested in entrepreneurship and enterprise education. Staff funding is provided by the Georgia Legislature through the Department of Education.

   Through Global Achievers, hundreds of Georgia students have traveled abroad or hosted their international counterparts as part of 75 international study tours. In 2000, the 100-student Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra toured Georgia and in 2001, the 125-member East Ayrshire Brass Band and Choir performed in five Georgia cities.

For more information about our history, see the Archives section.