Students interested in taking religious education classes have a way to learn and gain graduation credit at the same time.

The Dawson County Christian Learning Center announced last week that the program has received accreditation through a local Christian academy.

"The Christian Learning Center class will be offered through War Hill Christian Academy," said Brooke Anderson, chairman of the learning center's board of directors. "The accreditation is through War Hill, as well."

According to Anderson, the classes will be part of a "released time program."

"A released time program can legally teach biblical scriptures on a devotional basis during the school day when public school students, with parental permission, leave the school premises to attend religious education classes," he said. "The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld released time as protected by the Constitution of the United States, via Zorach v. Clauson in 1952."

The class, titled "Family, Community and Careers" will be offered as a first block class for grades nine through 12. Students will be considered both a student of the Christian Learning Center as well as a student of War Hill Christian Academy for that class.

Class sizes are limited to the first 15 students, but a waiting list will be made if necessary, according to Anderson.

"Last fall, students took the course but received no graduation credit," Anderson said. "Under the War Hill Christian Academy, the program and class will be accredited, so when a student takes it, they will receive a high school graduation elective credit."

An open house for the class is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Aug. 5 at Dawsonville Baptist Church, 254 Hwy. 9 North.

For more information or to register, visit www.dawsoncountyclc.org or contact the center via email info@dawsoncountyclc.org.