Education

Fannin County School System (FCSS)
The Fannin County School System (FCSS) is an unstoppable force when it comes to academic and extracurricular excellence in North Georgia. Fannin teachers and staff keep the standards above expected, and students are continuously raising the bar.

The system is comprised of three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. With a population of approximately 3,100 students in grades K-12, the resulting student to teacher ratio of 15 to 1 ensures that Fannin County pupils get plenty of teacher time and attention.

The FCSS achieved district level accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools/Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS/CASI) in September of 2008. The school system is also accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission (GAC).

Mountain Area Christian Academy (MACA)
This Biblically based, Christ-centered school opened its doors in August 2000 with an enrollment of 40 students and seven teachers. Today, MACA is proud to offer courses in preschool (K2, K3, and K4), elementary (K-6), and high school (7-12) education.

MACA offers traditional classrooms, high school AP classes, Georgia Virtual School, home school connections, NILD for learning challenged students, bus service, hot lunch program, aftercare program, fine arts, and a state winning athletic program.

Visit the school at 14090 Old Hwy.76 or call for more information at (706) 374-6222.

Fannin Literacy Action Group (FLAG)
In Fannin County, everyone has the chance to learn basic skills needed to compete successfully in today’s workplace. The Fannin Literacy Action Group (FLAG) enables every adult to improve their reading, writing, speaking, listening, math, and computer skills, which also helps to strengthen family foundations and helps the individual exercise full citizenship.

FLAG Adult Education is located at 71 Overview Dr., Blue Ridge, GA 31503, which is one of two testing sites in Fannin County for the WorkKeys exam needed for the Georgia Work Ready certificate. For more information, call (706) 946-3524.

North Georgia Technical College (NGTC)
North Georgia Technical College (NGTC) opened its Blairsville campus in 1998, a state-of-the-art $5.5 million facility with 48,000 square feet of classrooms, labs, and administrative space. The latest technology is found in every program. Student enrollment is about 500.

NGTC was accredited in 2008 to offer two-year associate degrees as well as technical certificates and diplomas in a variety of career fields. The College maintains a close relationship with the business and industry to keep in step with the latest operating equipment and the skills needed. For more information, call (706) 439-6300 or visit www.northgatech.edu/about/campus_blairsville.cfm

Chattahoochee Technical College (CTC)
In July 2009, Appalachian Technical College, Chattahoochee Technical College, and North Metro Technical College merged to form the leading post-secondary technical education college in the state. Chattahoochee Technical College (CTC) offers more than 100 programs of study with the breadth and depth of knowledge critical to success in the workplace or for further study.

CTC continues to work with its local communities to provide the workforce needed to stimulate Georgia’s community and economic growth and development. CTC also offers a wide variety of continuing education courses of business, career, and personal enrichment, as well as online or hybrid courses on all its campuses.

Chattahoochee Technical College is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia. For more information, call (706) 253-4500 or visit www.chattahoocheetech.edu.

Young Harris College
Founded in 1886, Young Harris College is a private, baccalaureate degree-granting, liberal arts college in nearby Young Harris, Georgia. Historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the primary goal of Young Harris College is to educate, inspire, and empower students while providing the highest quality liberal arts education.

While maintaining an impressive 10:1 student to faculty ratio, Young Harris College offers a rigorous academic program within a nurturing environment. The school boasts a winning intercollegiate athletics program, a full calendar of first-class performing arts events and the third-largest planetarium in Georgia. For more information, call (800) 241-3754 or visit www.yhc.edu.

Healthcare

Fannin Regional Hospital
Fannin County residents have many reasons to be proud of their award-winning, 50-bed general acute-care facility and the quality of care it provides to Fannin, Gilmer and Union County, Ga.; Polk County, Tenn.; and Cherokee County, N.C. Fannin Regional is recognized as one of the nation’s top 100 hospitals and earned the 2010 and 2011 Outstanding Patient Experience Award.

The hospital is ranked 8th statewide in 2011 for joint replacement, while earning a five-star rating for total knee replacements from HealthGrades – the leading healthcare ratings organization. In addition, Fannin Regional also received its 2011 accreditation from The Joint Commission with full standards compliance, and has been named to the Georgia Hospital Association’s Chairman’s Honor Roll, for achieving core measure results between 98% and 100%, for 13 out of 14 quarters. Fannin Regional is also Medicare and Medicaid certified.

The Emergency Room (ER) department is linked with the cardiac services of Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, and offers 24-hour emergency air flight for critical patients. The ER is staffed by physicians and nurses who are trained in emergency medicine, many of which have 20 to 30 years of experience in critical care and emergency care.

River Stone Medical Campus
River Stone Medical Campus was founded by three visionary local physicians who have served this area for decades. The 87,000 square-foot facility provides exceptional facilities, physicians and healthcare. River Stone ‘s central open atrium is surrounded by multiple full-time primary care offices whose physicians offer treatment in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, dermatology, orthopedics and sports medicine, and rheumatology.

Additionally, the campus houses a variety of facilities and clinics including specialty clinics, physical therapy, urgent care and walk-in emergency clinic, sleep center, skin and laser center, dental office, pharmacy, medical supplies and counseling. River Stone’s cancer clinic is a leading provider of cancer services in the state. The center also houses the offices of Amedisys Home Health and an on-site independent laboratory.

River Stone Medical Campus provides a full-service, fully digital, comprehensive diagnostic imaging facility that offers X-rays, ultrasounds, CTs, MRIs (open and closed), nuclear medicine, and bone scans.

Georgia Mountain Health Service, Inc.
This non-profit, federally funded healthcare center offers medical services in Morganton, Ellijay, Blue Ridge, and Chatsworth. Georgia Mountains Health Services, Inc. also provides dental care in Blue Ridge.

Fees for services provided by the full-time staff of board certified physicians, dentists, and nurse practitioners are on a sliding scale based on the patient’s income. Applicants for this program must provide proof of income. Georgia Mountains Health Services, Inc. also accepts most major insurance programs.

Heritage Healthcare of Blue Ridge
When it comes to in-patient rehabilitation, Fannin County families deserve the best in healthcare. Heritage Healthcare is a 101 bed skilled nursing facility that consistently receives rave reviews from its patients and its parent company, UHS-Pruitt Corporation. Patients enjoy a comfortable environment with suitable activities for all levels of participation, as well as a range of therapy disciplines to include physical, occupational, speech, and IV therapy. Families can rest assured that their loved one is receiving the finest medical and personal care available in Fannin County.

Police & Fire Protection

Fannin County has one of the lowest crime rates in the State of Georgia and is served by over 40 officers of the City of Blue Ridge, City of McCaysville, and Fannin County Sheriff’s Department. In addition, Fannin County has over 100 trained volunteer fire personnel protecting Fannin County from 13 fire stations utilizing modern rescue equipment. Fire insurance classification of 6 inside the city and 9 in the County.

Recreation

Surround yourself with beauty, relaxation, and natural fun in Georgia’s Blue Ridge. The recreation and outdoor opportunities in the area include hiking, biking, rafting, horseback riding, fishing, and more. If outdoor recreation isn’t your speed the area also has a wonderful Arts Center that offers a variety of art programs and an active Community Theatre that produces several productions a year. Visit the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce website for detailed information on area recreation opportunities.

Families can enjoy walking trails, playgrounds, and sports fields at the numerous county parks including Horseshoe Bend, Tammen, and the Fannin County Park. The County also has a wonderful Recreation facility Recreation Department that operates recreation league sports and summer camp programs. Visit the Fannin County website for details program information.

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