FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER
February 5, 2026
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| PEACE Academy Breaks Ground on New Middle School Facility | | |
PEACE Academy celebrated the start of construction on a new middle school building during a groundbreaking ceremony on January 27. SCSC Communications Specialist Erica Acha-Morfaw attended the event to celebrate with the school community.
The expansion will transform undeveloped areas of PEACE Academy’s existing campus into a dedicated facility for fifth through eighth grade, allowing current students to continue their education from kindergarten through middle school in a cohesive learning environment.
| | Left-to-right: Erica Acha-Morfaw, Mike Olaiya (PEACE Academy Board Chair), Ebony Keys | | |
The project was made possible through support from The Reinvestment Fund, Charter School Growth Fund, redefinED Atlanta, and Purpose Capital Group.
"Excellence remains non-negotiable," said Executive Director Ebony Keys. "Every step of this process, every wall built, every foundation laid, is being done with intention, accountability, and the highest standards in mind."
Construction will continue through spring 2026, with a ribbon-cutting celebration planned for July 2026. The middle school building is expected to open to students in fall 2026.
PEACE Academy is a state charter school located in Decatur, GA, authorized to serve students in grades K–8 with a statewide attendance zone. The school currently offers grades K–5.
| | Atlanta SMART Academy Chorus Celebrates Decades of Music | |
Atlanta SMART Academy’s sixth through eighth-grade students took the stage on January 14 for their annual chorus production, Rewind, performing hits from the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s to a sold-out audience.
Highlights included a rap solo of the All That theme song by TLC delivered by sixth grader Kaiden; All Night Long by Lionel Richie, performed by seventh grader A’hmir; and a drum solo by eighth grader Ihsaan set to Amerie’s 1 Thing.
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"Tears of joy streamed down my face as the entire choir closed with 'Overjoyed' by Stevie Wonder in a sold-out auditorium of parents, staff, and supporters," said Executive Director Patrice Meadows. "In that moment, I was reminded of ASA's profound impact in inspiring hope in our community, building confidence in our solutionists, and providing a place where every student can thrive, now and for years to come."
The annual production supports the school’s arts program through ticket sales, which fund costumes, instruments, and set design for future performances. The chorus experience helps students build confidence, discipline, collaboration skills, and creative expression.
Atlanta SMART Academy is a state charter school in Southwest Atlanta, GA, serving students in grades 5–8 with a statewide attendance zone.
| | Cirrus Academy Charter School Robotics Program Highlighted | |
Cirrus Academy Charter School's hands-on robotics program was featured by WMAZ-TV on January 23 as part of National School Choice Week coverage. The on-air segment highlighted how seventh- and eighth-grade students use robotics to build collaboration and critical thinking skills.
During the feature, students demonstrated robots they programmed to navigate obstacle courses designed by their classmates, offering a real-time view of the school’s collaborative, student-driven learning environment.
The robotics class reflects Cirrus Academy’s broader focus on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) education, as well as the school’s hands-on instructional approach. Director of Academics Nisha Brinson emphasized that STEAM instruction extends well beyond a single classroom. “We really push curiosity, innovation, and creativity in everything that they do,” Brinson said. “If you walk around our classrooms, you’re not just going to see a STEAM focus in one class. You’re going to see it all over the building.”
Cirrus Academy Charter School is a state charter school in Macon, GA, serving students in grades K-8 with a statewide attendance zone.
| | ICSAtlanta Takes First Place at Reading Bowl | | ICSAtlanta Elementary Team | | Elementary and middle school teams from the International Charter School of Atlanta (ICSAtlanta) earned first place at the Fulton County Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl on January 24, advancing both teams to compete at the Metro Regional level. | | ICSAtlanta Middle School Team | | |
The Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl is a statewide academic competition that challenges students on the content of the 20 Georgia Book Award nominees selected each year. ICSAtlanta students began preparing for this year’s Reading Bowl over the summer, reading each title multiple times and meeting regularly throughout the year to practice competition-style questions.
“We are incredibly proud of our teams for earning first place at the Fulton County Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl,” said faculty members Nicole Bomeli (middle school team) and Eilene Epperson (elementary school team). “This win reflects their hard work and willingness to lean into and improve their personal strengths. Most of all, we are proud that we have created a space where curiosity is valued, effort matters, and ‘nerding out’ over books is truly celebrated.”
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More than 600 schools across Georgia participate annually, competing at local, regional, and state levels. ICSAtlanta’s teams will compete at the Metro Regional Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl on February 28 at Clayton State University. Teams that advance will move on to the state finals at the University of Georgia on March 21.
International Charter School of Atlanta is a state charter school in Roswell and Alpharetta, GA, serving students in grades K–8 with a statewide attendance zone.
| | Amana Academy Honors Founder as School Marks 20 Years | | |
As part of its year-long 20th anniversary celebration, Amana Academy hosted a dinner honoring Ehab Jaleel, a founding parent, founding board member, and the network's current executive director, on February 3.
SCSC Executive Director Donovan Head, Senior Director of School Support and Outreach Michele Neely, and Director of New Schools Kristen Easterbrook were among Amana supporters who came together to recognize Jaleel’s leadership and the school’s lasting impact.
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The program included reflections from founders, parents, students, and alumni, including video tributes from members of the Amana community around the world. The evening also included a surprise address from Scott Hartl, President and CEO of EL Education, who recognized Amana Academy and Jaleel as exemplars of the EL Education model's rigorous academics and student-centered learning.
The first Amana Academy campus opened for the 2005–06 school year. Amana was the first public school in the area to offer EL Education and Arabic language instruction, and became the first K–8 school in Georgia to earn STEM certification from the Georgia Department of Education. In 2022, Amana Academy opened Amana Academy West Atlanta in Smyrna with the same academic model and school culture.
Supporters noted that Amana’s “High Five Habits” of Respect, Responsibility, Courage, Compassion, and Perseverance have been instrumental in students’ long-term success.
| | Left-to-right: Kristen Easterbrook, Donovan Head, Ehab Jaleel, Michele Neely, Helené Brown (Principal, Amana Academy West Atlanta) | | Also pictured: Andrea Gatewood-Cooper (Director of Charter Schools, Fulton County Schools) | | |
"I was humbled seeing the dozens of people who built on our band of founders' modest vision by contributing to Amana's growth into a network now serving nearly 1100 students who regularly demonstrate academic excellence and the belief that 'there is more in us than we think'," said Jaleel, "We were also overjoyed that our authorizers from Fulton County and the SCSC, along with our partners, were there to celebrate this remarkable milestone with us!"
Amana Academy is a Fulton County charter school located in Alpharetta, GA, serving students in grades K–8. Amana Academy West Atlanta is a state charter school located in Smyrna, GA, serving students in grades K–6 with a statewide attendance zone.
| | Staff Spotlight: SCSC Interns | | Left-to-right: James Wilson, Caylyn Aron, Katie Tokos | | |
The SCSC Internship Program provides students and recent graduates with hands-on experience in Georgia charter school authorization while strengthening the agency’s day-to-day operations. During Fiscal Year 2026, SCSC interns have contributed to key initiatives, including the monitoring cycle, school accountability research, and essential school support programs.
Katie Tokos, who began her internship in summer 2025, holds a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in public health from Emory University. Caylyn Aron, who began in fall 2025, earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Georgia State University and is applying to law school. James Wilson, also a fall 2025 intern, holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy from Georgia State University and is enrolled in the Master of Public Administration program. He recently became Chief of Staff for Georgia State Senate District 34, Senator Kenya Wicks, beginning January 14.
The SCSC is currently recruiting summer 2026 interns. Students currently enrolled in senior-year undergraduate or graduate programs or recent graduates interested in applying can find application details on the SCSC website.
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FY26 SCSC Start-Up Charter School Petition Cycle
Application Deadline: March 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST
The SCSC is accepting applications for FY26 start-up charter schools. Prospective petitioners who submitted a Letter of Intent by the December 31, 2025, deadline can access the application portal to begin the petition process.
Application Portal
The SCSC reviews charter petitions to ensure proposed schools demonstrate strong academic programs, sound operational plans, and sustainable financial models that will serve Georgia students effectively. Learn more about the process, key dates, and application requirements on the Start a New State Charter School page.
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The 2026 SCSC Board Meeting calendar is now available. The next board meeting is scheduled for February 25, 2026, 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. | | | | State charter school governing board members and leaders have received information about Governance Training events and virtual sessions. Please check your email for details. Email Naquita.Smith@scsc.georgia.gov with any questions. | |
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 © 2026 State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia, All rights reserved. | | | | |
