Last Thursday's commencement ceremony for Greater Atlanta Christian Schools celebrated 172 students graduating as the class of 2012.

More than 2,5000 family members and friends gathered in the Long Forum of the school's campus on the evening of May 24, according to a statement from GAC. The graduates were accepted into 170 different colleges and universities nationwide.

The students received $13,183,000 in scholarship funds, the highest amount in school history, and they are also the first to have acceptances to all Ivy League schools as well to every Southern Ivy school.

Additionally, the class of 2012 participated in mission trips across five continents and 14 nations in the last two years.

“Now you are entering a new world with joys and pressures. New unsteady ground," said GAC President Dr. David Fincher to the graduating class. "Tough issues are ahead, issues harder, certainly more complex than the challenges your parents faced. You’ve got exciting times. Be strong and courageous because you are not on your own. The Lord God is going to be with you in this new world.  That’s plenty of reason to be strong and courageous."

GAC is also looking forward to welcoming more than 1,800 students to campus in August.