Gainesville Rock School Plans a High School Where Music Shares the Day With Academics

GAINESVILLE — A local rock school plans to open a high school next year where teenagers would divide their days between academic classes, rehearsals and live performances.

Let There Be Rock Schools is partnering with NPU America to establish Let There Be Rock Academy. Students would work toward an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, a high school credential from Canada.

The academy is expected to open in September 2027. Families can learn more at an information session Wednesday, November 11, at 7 p.m. at the Gainesville school, 840 Main Street SW.

Students would take academic courses through NPU America while studying instruments, rehearsing with bands and preparing for live performances. The school has not yet specified how much of the day would be devoted to each.

The difference from an after-school music program is that rehearsals and performances would become part of the regular school day.

“This is about removing the idea that young musicians eventually have to choose between getting serious about their music and getting serious about their education,” said Scott Maceron, founder and CEO of Let There Be Rock Schools, in a statement about the program.

From touring musician to local classroom

Gainesville’s Let There Be Rock School is led by musician Kyle Sanders, who has performed with groups including HELLYEAH and Kerry King’s band. The existing school teaches guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and vocals, with students forming bands and working toward live performances.

Sanders has said his daughter’s experience at a girls’ rock camp helped inspire the Gainesville school. The academy would build on the instrument lessons and band performances already offered there.

Tuition and diploma questions remain

The proposed diploma is an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, not a Georgia high school diploma. Parents still have practical questions: Who will award the diploma? Will credits from Georgia schools transfer? How will U.S. colleges evaluate the credential?

Tuition, scholarships, the daily schedule, grade levels and enrollment capacity have not yet been announced. North Atlanta Star has asked Sanders for those details.

Families can read about the academy or contact the Gainesville school before the November 11 meeting.

Illustrative photograph: Nicholas Jeffries / Unsplash.