The Georgia Academy for the Blind grew out of a private charity project undertaken by Professor Walter S. Fortescue, of the Pennsylvania School for the Blind, and a group of civic-minded Macon citizens in 1852. After the school had been in operation for about a year, the General Assembly of Georgia incorporated and endowed the Academy. The same trustees continued under the State Charter, Professor Fortescue was retained as principal, and an appropriation of $5,000 was provided.

The first school building, as such, was at Orange and Forsyth Streets and the Academy remained at that location until the Vineville Avenue School was completed in 1906. For a time during the War Between the States, the school was moved to Fort Valley and the building at the Orange and Forsyth Street site was used as a hospital. It is reported that before the close of the war, the Trustees admitted at least one Confederate Veteran who had lost his sight in battle.

Many dedicated men have piloted the Academy in the tradition of useful service initiated by Professor Fortescue well over a century ago. In order of succession, those heading the school following Professor Fortescue s leaving in 1853 were Henry Dutton who was soon followed by May Horn and W. N. Chaudoin. For a time there was a vacancy in the position and Miss Hannah Guillan filled the gap. In 1858, W. D. Williams were appointed principal and remained in this capacity for many years. Professor G. F. Oliphant was elected as superintendent on May 7, 1906.

At his retirement in 1936, Professor Oliphant was succeeded by Professor J. W. Williams who served for two years and was followed by Reverend R. J. Mincey; in 1943 the Academy was placed under the administrative authority of the State Board of Education and John Herndon was appointed as superintendent. In 1949, Professor J. W. Williams returned as superintendent and served approximately a year. Mr. F. G. Nelms was appointed to head the school in 1950 and served in superintendent s capacity until his death in January 1962. Mr. W. Lee Jones succeeded Mr. Nelms as superintendent. Richard E. Hyer, Jr. was appointed as superintendent on July 1, 1976 and retired from that position in 2002. Dr. Mildred Howard was appointed superintendent in July of 2002. Dr. Dorothy Arensman was appointed superintendent in July of 2004.

It was during the tenure of Mr. W. D. Williams and at his recommendation that the Negro Division of the Academy for the Blind be started. This school was opened November 1, 1882 on three and one-half acres of land on Madison Street in a building erected for this purpose. For many years a single principal served both schools for the white and Negro. Some of the school records are missing, but it is known that in 1906, G. F. Oliphant was elected superintendent, apparently the first time this term was used for the administrator and, in the report of 1912, Sara McKinley was listed as principal for the Negro school.

In 1918, L. W. Williams was shown as principal and he was succeeded by John A. Williams in 1927. E. N. Houseworth accepted the position of principal of the Negro Division from 1943 until 1950 when he was succeeded by Cleon R. Bonner who continued in the principal s capacity within the combined schools until his retirement in 1976.

It was under the administration of F. G. Nelms and Cleon R. Bonner that a $500,000 modern school plant was erected in 1953 on a 30 acre site at 1030 Shurling Drive. Under the capable leadership of these dedicated administrators, student enrollment increased almost threefold from 1950 to 1960 and the curriculum was broadened.