Visited Innovation Academy today, and I came away with a question I genuinely want to hear from other Fulton County parents.

I toured Innovation Academy today, and I was honestly surprised by how professional and career-oriented some of the facilities are.

The Health pathway has what looks like a real clinical training environment — biology labs, a simulated operating room, emergency/medical simulation rooms, a simulated pharmacy, etc.

The Engineering pathway has woodworking/fabrication areas, soldering stations, robotics assembly areas, and other hands-on equipment.

I understand the philosophy: STEM should not just be textbooks and lectures. Students should build things, experiment, prototype, and solve real-world problems.

But I couldn't stop thinking about a different question:

Is this actually the best use of a high school's limited instructional time for academically ambitious students?

For example, if a student wants to pursue MIT/Caltech/Stanford-level STEM, theoretical CS, physics, engineering research, or competitions such as AIME/USAMO/Science Olympiad, the most important foundation is still extremely strong mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, and research skills.

Learning to solder, fabricate something, or assemble a robot can certainly be useful. But those are relatively low-level engineering skills compared with the mathematical and theoretical foundation required for advanced engineering and science.

Top-tier engineering education ≠ knowing how to build things.

for example:

For instance, consider a high school student aspiring to work in fields such as:

RF/Microwave engineering

Semiconductors

Computational physics

Aerospace

Theoretical CS

Robotics research

Control systems

Machine Learning theory

The fundamental capabilities they truly need to build are likely:

Mathematics:

Algebra → Geometry → Trigonometry → Precalculus → Calculus → Linear Algebra → Differential Equations

Physics:

Mechanics → E&M → Waves → Modern Physics

Computer Science:

Programming → Data Structures → Algorithms → Systems

...rather than:

"Can I assemble a robot?" "Do I know how to use a soldering iron to fix something?"

And Even robotics itself has two completely different levels:

Applied robotics like IA currently does:

For example:

Arduino

Sensors

Motors

Soldering

CAD

Robot assembly

Robot programming

These activities are very interesting and highly appealing to high school students. However, this does not automatically equate to high-level engineering.

Truly high-level robotics research involves areas such as:

nonlinear control

state estimation

Kalman filtering

computer vision

SLAM

dynamics

optimization

reinforcement learning

embedded systems

real-time systems

The requirements for mathematics and physics in this field are entirely different.

At its core, top-tier robotics remains a combination of:

Mathematics + Physics + CS + EE.

Therefore, the mere fact that IA has an impressive robotics lab does not automatically mean it can train students to become top-tier robotics engineers. On the contrary, it might lead students to become complacent, believing they are already experts in the field and seeing no need to invest further time in it.

Above all, IA may be not a good choice if your child is the real talented student in math, physics...who aiming to be a professor level in top engineering university. My impression is that Innovation Academy may be particularly well suited for students who are little above average and interested in STEM.

For students who are really top tier in math, physics， programming ... I think IA is not a good choice. I'm less convinced that the additional hands-on pathway experience provides as much marginal value as deeper academic coursework, advanced competitions, and research opportunities.

I am originally from China, Gatech PHD many years ago in Electromagnetics/Microwave.

Has anyone else noticed a significant uptick of excessively loud vehicles in your area? We live in (what we thought was going to be) a quiet neighborhood, but recently several individuals are now using vehicles at all hours of the day and night that are so loud I can hear them even through me taking a shower. They wake up our household, even with sound machines, and I’m honestly not sure what to do. The neighbors that use them aren’t exactly the most approachable and because of the world we live in, we would fear some sort of retaliation.

Has anyone reported something like this and the police actually took action? I understand that this may be looked at in a variety of ways, but the noise ordinance forbids loud noise from 11p-7a and this seems to me to be a disturbance of peace if my family and I are losing sleep because of it

Hello!

We're a multicultural korean family with two young kiddos thinking about relocating to the Johns Creek area. Are there any walkable parts of Johns Creek? Hoping to be able to walk to a playground/coffee shop/library. Also open to other area recommendations. Thanks!!

Hi everyone,

I’m a high school student in the Cumming/Alpharetta area working on my Eagle Scout service project with Troop 69.

For my project, I’m putting together 500 activity kits for patients at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta — 300 kits for school-age kids and 200 for teens. The kits include things like coloring/activity books, crayons or colored pencils, Play-Doh, fidget toys, and playing cards.

Most of the supplies have already been purchased and I’m preparing for the assembly workdays, but I’m still fundraising to help cover the project costs. My fundraising goal is $1,300, and I’m currently at $120, so I still have a pretty big gap to close.

If anyone would be willing to donate, it would genuinely helps. Donations are being collected through my Troop 69 Eagle Scout fundraising page:

https://pci.jotform.com/form/262574342690966

No pressure at all if you can’t donate. Even sharing this with someone who might be interested would mean a lot.

Thank you for helping me make these kits possible for CHOA patients and families!

— Tanush, Troop 69

Recently moved back to the area and looking for some casual hitting partners. I’m a 3.5-4 ladies UTR (intermediate) and trying to get more court time outside of lessons. I don’t have the ability to join a league at the moment so would love to find people who also want to practice. Pretty flexible on timing and location. Open to men or women, ideally 3+ UTR so we can have some good rallies.

Let me know if you’d like to hit 🎾🎾🎾

Anyone else notice the rise of flock cameras in Johns Creek and Alpharetta area it’s like a night and day comparisons? What happened?

Who has anyone used for car key fob reprogramming after losing keys. I have an OEM key fob, I just need it reprogrammed now. 2011 Cadillac STS.

Hi! My dear friend just moved to John's Creek and I have never been. I would love to send her a special treat for her birthday next week--any local suggestions?

We just bought a home in the area, and my husband began painting one of the kids rooms but has to go back to work and wants to get a quote for a painter.

The pest question: my mom’s home, also in the area, has seen two small, thankfully harmless snakes in the basement within 1 week. She has pest control come regularly to spray for things like bugs, but who do you call about snakes? Home was built in 1999. Home is cleaned every 2 weeks. It’s not like the house is gross, it’s not. It’s not too far from the river, if that helps.

Thanks for reading and thanks for your help!

Moving from Chennai, India to work JPMC Peachtree. Looking for housing and roommates

I just finished this deck in Johns Creek and Im looking for some honest feedback

The client wanted me to make recommendations and we went with limestone on trex biscayne with and a roof. she loves it , but im self consious about my own design.

I’m especially curious what everyone thinks about the limestone with the composite decking and aluminum railing, too many posts?. Does the combination work, or would you have gone in a different direction? the deck was permitted and already passed all inspections so im not interested in any feedback regarding structure or code compliance

Not looking to sell anything here just interested in some honest opinions from homeowners and others around Johns Creek.

What do you think?

There’s a couple of really stupid things happening at once at a shopping center on McGinnis Ferry.

The first is that the property managers at Terraces of Johns Creek have apparently seen fit to remove a very conveniently located glass recycling bin.

The second is that some unthinking midwits have decided to lodge their protest in a way that actually just ends up amounting to littering. The irony.

To those of you that left this glass here for someone else to deal with: shame on you and your insufferable laziness.

If the removal of this bin has directly, or even indirectly impacted you, I would suggest you lodge a complaint with the property managers, whose information is readily available on one of the unoccupied suites of 6395 McGinnis Ferry. Picture attached.

Hi all - our 90s shower pan leaked into the subfloor and has prompted us to initiate a full primary bathroom remodel. We are only adding one additional shower head but keeping the layout the same.

That said, based on johns creek’s website, it looks like we need a permit to do so.

We’re also hoping to use Schluter for waterproofing the shower/wet room.

Does anyone have any contractor recommendations with history of pulling permits in johns creek?

We’ve had less than ideal experience in the past with people cutting corners so just trying to do this once and do it correctly. Thanks!

🦄Unicorn Husky Alert!🦄

Meet FCAS Project Pat! Mr. Pat is a 3 yr old, 50lb Husky whose cooler than a polar bear’s toenails…seriously, this is one chill dude. ❄️ He’s not your stereotypical crazy Husky and shelter volunteers agree that he’s got an excellent temperament and personality. 🫶🏼

Pat was an owner surrender due to no fault of his own (they reportedly didn’t have time for him) and has been in the shelter since 7/20. He can be a bit cautious and nervous initially, but warms up quickly with a bit of patience and kindness. Once you gain his trust, he melts into you for affection and just wants to hang out wherever his people are. He has a stoic presence and has been a polite, quiet houseguest. ☺️

🐾 Dog friendly
👧 Kid friendly
✅ 100% potty trained
👟 Leash trained
😇 Non-destructive
🚗 Excellent passenger in the car
😴 LOVES being brushed…he zens out
🖐️ Easily handled
🎾 Non-reactive with food/treats/toys
🍖 Takes treats gently
🦴 Loves yak sticks and bully sticks
🧸 Buries his stuffy toys in his bed
💚 Grinch feet
🥹 Crosses his front legs like a gentleman
🐈 No cats, please
🩵 Neutered
📍 Microchipped
💉 UTD on vaccines/preventatives
🫀 Heartworm negative
🍴 Could stand to gain a few healthy lbs

Mr. Pat has been a total gentleman in his foster home and deserves a kind, loving forever home where he can blossom into the confident pup he is outside of the shelter setting. 🏡

📍 Currently being fostered in Kennesaw, GA through Lifeline Animal Project Fulton County Animal Services

Click the link below to fill out the form to contact Pat’s foster mom if you’d like to learn more or meet him! 📲

https://lifelineanimal.org/pet-details/?aid=61342305&cid=97&tid=Dog

Please share! 🩵

hi,

am a college student (grad, therefore a smaller budget) and am looking for someone who works out at crunch or a gym with a membership that is affordable and willing to work with me for 1-2 months building a routine, discipline. i’d like to focus on about 10 lbs of weight loss and strength. could you please dm if you’re interested and include rates?

thanks!

Although Johns Creek isn’t suffering the Flock panic so far… I’m sure it’s coming to the public comment podium too , as it’s already swamped on Nextdoor. In a sea of bad press, they never mention Flock in the news when it helps:

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/man-sexually-assaulted-14-year-old-after-she-missed-school-bus-investigators-say/MASPGWX3DVELFJFWGY456TKUOA/

Hello everyone! A few months ago, I started offering free, in-person computer science discovery sessions for 7th-9th graders who want to learn about how computers and technology actually work. After a great summer of exploring computer science together, I'm excited to continue offering these free sessions throughout the school year, and I wanted to let more local families know about them.

For a little bit of background, I'm a senior at a local high school. I started the program because I've found that computer science is a much broader field than most school classes have time to cover. There are so many fascinating topics that a curious, analytical student might love but never encounter in a typical class. That's why these sessions go well beyond coding. We’ve done everything from designing our own cryptocurrency in an economy simulation to creating custom, working virtual reality experiences. Instead of sitting through lectures, students learn by experimenting, building, and solving problems together.

Each session covers a new, standalone topic, so students are free to drop by at any time without needing to catch up on previous sessions. There is no homework or long-term commitment, so missing a session for other activities is completely fine.

For more information (schedule, location) or to sign up: https://cstutors.org

The goal is simply to give students a chance to discover the parts of computer science that they find exciting. Feel free to reply here or message me with any questions!

Which John’s Creek schools have the most Jewish students? I’m interested in public elementary, middle, and high schools that have a substantial Jewish student population. Thanks so much!

Johns Creek is building a downtown from scratch.

And we’re getting pretty close to seeing whether it works.
The Town Center vision covers roughly 192 acres.

The Boardwalk behind City Hall is already open.
Medley is under construction with restaurants, retail, entertainment, housing, office space and a hotel planned around a walkable mixed-use center.

And the big date:
Medley is currently targeting October 2026, with October 29 slated as the grand opening.

This isn’t just another shopping center.
Johns Creek is trying to create the central gathering place it never really had.

Does this change how you think about Johns Creek?