DECEMBER NEWSLETTER
December 4, 2025
| |
|
GACA Student Selected for
2025-26 Student Advisory Council
| | |
Jessica Carter, a 10th-grade student at Georgia Connections Academy (GACA), was one of 79 Georgia students selected by State School Superintendent Richard Woods to serve on the 2025-2026 Student Advisory Council from 1,235 applicants statewide.
Student Advisory Council members provide feedback on how state policies impact the classroom, serve as ambassadors to their schools, and participate in service projects benefiting Georgia schools and students. The program’s goal is to help members develop leadership skills, cultivate civic responsibility, and understand their impact on their communities.
"I am honored to have been selected to serve as the only representative of a charter school on State School Superintendent Richard Woods' 2025–2026 Student Advisory Council," Carter said. "Having experienced education in a traditional public school, a private school during my 9th-grade year, and now a virtual school, I believe I bring a unique perspective that reflects the strengths and challenges of different learning environments. I am excited for the opportunity to share my experiences and help make a positive impact on education in Georgia."
Learn more about the Student Advisory Council.
| |
Four State Charter Schools Recognized as
Title I Distinguished Schools
| | |
Academy for Classical Education, International Charter Academy of Georgia, Resurgence Hall Charter School, and Yi Hwang Academy of Language Excellence were designated as 2025 Title I Distinguished Schools by GaDOE on October 13, 2025. This designation honors the top 5% of Title I schools in Georgia based on combined ELA and math content mastery scores from statewide assessments.
Academy for Classical Education and Resurgence Hall Charter School also earned this honor in 2023 and 2024.
View the full list of 2025 Distinguished Schools.
| | State Charter School Literacy and Math Leaders | |
The Georgia Department of Education has recognized schools that demonstrated exceptional student progress and proficiency in reading and mathematics during the 2024-25 school year. Schools were named Literacy Leaders and Math Leaders for achievement, growth, or both on annual end-of-grade or end-of-course assessments. Awards were given at the elementary, middle, and high school levels based on Georgia Milestones reading and math assessments.
Nineteen state charter schools earned recognition as 2024-25 Literacy Leaders. The Academy for Classical Education, BIA Charter School, and International Charter School of Atlanta earned the Literacy Leader title for the third consecutive year.
Nine state charter schools earned recognition as 2024-25 Math Leaders. BIA Charter School, International Charter School of Atlanta, Odyssey Charter School, Pataula Charter Academy, and Southwest Georgia STEM Charter School earned Math Leader recognition for the second year in a row. Read the full announcement.
| | |
2024-25 Literacy Leaders
- Academy for Classical Education (elementary, middle, high school)
- Atlanta Heights Charter School
- Atlanta Unbound Academy
- Baconton Community Charter school (elementary, high school)
- BIA Charter School (elementary and middle)
- DeKalb Brilliance Academy
- Furlow Charter School (elementary, middle, high school)
- Genesis Innovation Academy for Boys (elementary and middle)
- International Charter School of Atlanta (elementary and middle)
- Ivy Preparatory Academy (elementary)
- Liberation Academy (elementary and middle)
- Liberty Tech Charter School (elementary and middle)
- Odyssey Charter School (elementary and middle)
- Pataula Charter Academy (middle)
- School for Arts Infused Learning (SAIL) (elementary)
- Spring Creek Charter Academy (elementary)
- Statesboro STEAM Academy (high school)
- ZEST Preparatory Academy
| |  | |
2024-25 Math Leaders
- BIA Charter School (elementary, middle)
- International Charter School of Atlanta (elementary)
- Ivy Preparatory Academy (elementary, middle)
- Northwest Classical Academy (middle)
- Odyssey Charter School (middle)
- Pataula Charter Academy (high school)
- School for Arts Infused Learning (SAIL) (elementary)
- Scintilla Charter Academy (elementary, middle)
- Southwest Georgia STEM Academy (middle)
| | |
| |
SBOE Member Holds Public Hearing at ICAGeorgia
State Board of Education (SBOE) Member Lisa Kinnemore held a public hearing on November 12, 2025, at the International Charter Academy of Georgia. Ms. Kinnemore represents the 4th Congressional District, which includes the Decatur City School District and portions of the DeKalb County and Gwinnett County school systems.
The hearing provided an opportunity for interested citizens and educators within the congressional district to share comments regarding K-12 public education. This was the second public hearing for a State Board of Education Member held at a state charter school.
| | | | Schools Participate in Replication and Expansion Convening | | The 2025 Replication and Expansion Cohort convened in Atlanta on November 12, 2025, as a part of the initiative funded by Georgia's CSP SE Grant to support growth at existing charter schools in Georgia. The cohort includes Amana Academy, Baconton Community Charter School, GLOBE Academy, and Tapestry Charter School, schools considering options for expanding their impact within their current school or through replication. | |
| |
The convening was led by technical assistance partner, Bellwether Education Partners, who helps participants determine their readiness to grow and develop a strategic plan. Bellwether provides tools designed to assess charter school readiness, providing a structured framework for schools pursuing sustainable growth while maintaining high standards. The annual convening is a highlight of the program and offers cohort participants an opportunity to interact and share ideas with each other. The program provides strategic planning and technical assistance through two phases over 14 months. The first phase includes intensive strategic planning services. The second phase, with services from the Georgia Charter Schools Association and Facility Resource Center, offers technical assistance to implement strategic plans, petition preparation services, and facility and finance consulting.
Applications for the Replication and Expansion Cohort Program will be available in May 2026. Information will be posted on the SCSC’s website and at FindaGaCharter.org.
| |
|
Staff Spotlight:
SCSC Staff Share Expertise at National Conference
| | SCSC staff presented at the National Association for Charter School Authorizers' 2025 Leadership Conference (NACSACon 2025) on October 27-30, 2025, sharing the agency's innovative approaches to technical assistance and accountability oversight. NACSACon 2025 was held in Houston, Texas, to convene charter authorizers and technical assistance providers to focus on effective charter school policy and authorizing practices. | | Kristen Easterbrook, Director of New Schools, and Molly Gassman, School Support & Outreach Manager, led a session titled "Rethinking the Authorizer's Role in TA to Support the Charter School Pipeline." The session showcased how SCSC has leveraged Georgia’s CSP State Entity Grant to develop cohort-style technical assistance programs for new, replicating, and expanding charter schools. Attendees gained actionable strategies on galvanizing partners and utilizing federal funds to strengthen TA activities and increase impact for charter schools. | | | Cerrone Lockett, SCSC Chief Operating Officer, participated in a panel discussion for the session "Beyond the Checklist: Adaptive Authorizing to Support Schools in Need." Lockett shared how the SCSC has integrated early warning systems, responsive policies, and innovative intervention strategies that balance rigorous oversight with meaningful school support. | | |
SCSC Board Meeting Rescheduled to December 10th | |
The SCSC Board Meeting, originally scheduled for November 12th, has been rescheduled to December 10th at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held in the SCSC Board Room and streamed virtually. Visit the SCSC public meeting portal for details.
Amended Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
The SCSC Board of Commissioners will vote on the rules currently under consideration for adoption, repeal, and/or modification at the December 10th board meeting. Visit the SCSC Proposed Rulemaking page to review the rules under consideration.
| | | |
SCSC Governance Training
Registration is now open for the next SCSC Governance Training on February 10-11, 2026, at the Loudermilk Conference Center in Atlanta!
State charter school governing board members are encouraged to attend to meet annual training requirements. Two staff members from each school are also eligible to attend. This year's Governance Training features dynamic new presenters and a digital event platform.
| |
The SCSC provides training free of charge and reimburses schools for travel expenses. For more information, see the SCSC's website and monitor your email for registration information.
The registration deadline is January 19, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
| | |
FY26 State Charter School Petition Cycle
Start-Up Charter School Application Now Open
The State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia is now accepting applications for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 start-up charter schools. We're seeking qualified applicants ready to provide innovative, high-quality educational opportunities for Georgia's students.
Application Process
All prospective petitioners must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) before accessing the full application.
| |
Important Note
All application materials must be submitted through our online application portal.
Learn more about the process, key dates, and application requirements on the Start a New State Charter School page.
| |
Share Your School's Story
State charter schools across Georgia are making an impact –
we want to help share that story.
We invite state charter schools to submit accomplishments, milestones, and program highlights to be considered for future features. Email your updates to erica.achamorfaw@scsc.georgia.gov.
| | The State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) is a state-level, independent charter school authorizing entity. The SCSC has the power to approve or deny petitions for state charter schools and renew, nonrenew, or terminate state charter school contracts in accordance with Georgia law. | | Copyright © 2025 State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia, All rights reserved. | | | | |
