MAY NEWSLETTER
June 5, 2025
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2025 Student Art Contest Winners Announced
More than 300 students from 18 state charter schools submitted original works for this year’s Art of Connection: Exhibition of Student Art. This fifth annual celebration of student creativity invites student artists to explore how art builds relationships and reflects shared experience with the theme: "How I Connect to the World."
Winners have now been selected across four grade categories. Their work demonstrates both artistic talent and thoughtful interpretation of the theme.
2025 Student Winners
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Junior Elementary (Grades K–2)
- 1st Place – Chelsea L., International Charter School of Atlanta, “Chelsea Lunar New Year”
- 2nd Place – Amelia W., Northwest Classical Academy, “Red Poppy”
- 3rd Place – Noah S., Academy for Classical Education, “Downtown Stars”
Elementary (Grades 3–5)
- 1st Place – Aniyah J., Ethos Classical Charter School, “Grand Reflection”
- 2nd Place – Katelyn C., International Charter Academy of Georgia, “The Artist in Me”
- 3rd Place – Nura O., Amana Academy West Atlanta, “Peaceful Streams”
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Middle School (Grades 6–8)
- 1st Place – Asher W., Northwest Classical Academy, “Pear and Peach”
- 2nd Place – Sophia K., Coweta Charter Academy, “Nature”
- 3rd Place – Ella B., Georgia Connections Academy, “A Sip”
High School (Grades 9–12)
- 1st Place – Delaney J., Academy for Classical Education, “Agony”
- 2nd Place – Justin H., Georgia Connections Academy, “Galaxy and Mountains”
- 3rd Place – Alli G., Baconton Community Charter School, “Lost in the Star
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State Charter School Spotlight
Pataula Charter Academy: A Record of Excellence
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Pataula Charter Academy (Pataula) set the standard for charter school excellence by becoming the first school to earn a 10-year charter renewal from the State Charter Schools Commission (SCSC). This achievement was earned through consistent success in meeting all standards outlined in SCSC’s Comprehensive Performance Framework over the school’s last 15 years.
Pataula combines rigorous academics and meaningful student engagement with a focus on project-based learning, strong community partnerships, and a school culture built on connection and character. Read the full spotlight to learn more about Pataula Charter Academy.
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State Board Member Holds First Public Hearing
at Georgia Charter School
| SBOE Member Stockwell with students from Ethos Classical Charter School. | Melanie Stockwell, State Board of Education (SBOE) Member for Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District (GA05), hosted her first public hearing at Resurgence Hall, a state charter school in East Point. Speakers from around the district shared their experiences with public education and voiced the needs of their students and school communities. | | “There is no substitute for hearing directly from citizens and families,” said SBOE Member Stockwell. “Their voices guide the work we do.” | | |
This was the first SBOE public hearing held at a charter school, and attendees expressed their appreciation for Stockwell’s support. Parents, educators, and members of the community shared personal stories and asked for continued access to for schools that meet students’ unique needs. Students from Ethos Charter School and Resurgence Hall Charter School spoke about what they love most about their schools. Representatives from the KIPP Atlanta Schools Family Network also shared their experiences as educators and community collaborators.
“This hearing reflected the deep support families have for their charter schools,” said Donovan Head, State Charter Schools Commission (SCSC) Executive Director. “There is a clear call to expand access and ensure more students benefit from high-quality public educational options.”
Representatives from the SCSC, the Georgia Charter Schools Association, GeorgiaCAN, and redefinED Atlanta helped promote the hearing and were onsite to answer questions. They also provided high-interest summer reading books to students and “I Love My GA Charter School” t-shirts to attendees.
| | Left to right: SCSC Executive Director Donovan Head, School Support and Outreach (SSO) Specialist Molly Gassman, Communications Specialist Erica Acha-Morfaw, SBOE Member Melanie Stockwell, and SSO Senior Director Michele Neely. | | The hearing concluded with Stockwell inviting final questions and comments. During closing discussions, attendees exchanged resources and ideas, and many expressed their gratitude for Ms. Stockwell’s time and consideration. | | Announcements & Reminders | |
State Board Approves Charter School
Petition Process Changes
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The State Board of Education approved changes to Rule 160-4-9-.05 Charter Schools Petition Process on May 8, 2025, helping make Georgia’s charter school petition process more consistent statewide. The rule officially went into effect on May 28, 2025.
Key changes include:
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Oversight Shift to the SCSC
The rule clarifies that oversight and support of locally approved charter schools now fall under the Office of Charter School Compliance (OCSC) within the State Charter Schools Commission. This follows provisions of House Bill 318, passed in 2024.
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Statewide Timeline for Petitions
All 180 school districts must now:
• Post their annual petition dates by September 1.
• Establish petition deadlines on or before January 1.
• Take board action on petitions by June 30.
| | Allen Mueller, Senior Director for the Office of Charter School Compliance (OCSC), will work closely with school districts to support the implementation of these changes before the September 1 deadline. For more information, contact Allen Mueller. |
Applications Now Open for the
Georgia CSP Replication and Expansion Cohort
| We are looking for our next cohort of charter schools for the Replication & Expansion Cohort Program. All existing Georgia charter schools are eligible to apply. Learn more and apply online at FindaGaCharter.org/grants. Applications must be submitted by 10:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Contact Molly Gassman, with questions. | |
Fall 2025 SCSC Internship Applications Now Open
The SCSC is now accepting applications for the Fall 2025 Internship Program. This opportunity is available to students currently enrolled in senior-year undergraduate or graduate programs in education policy, law, public administration, economics, or related fields.
Interns will be paid $18 per hour and are expected to work a minimum of 18 hours per week, with a maximum of 28 hours per week. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Please share this opportunity with your network.
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SCSC Governance Training
All state charter school governing board members are required to complete annual training on board governance. A new SCSC Governance Training Policy was adopted this year, which lowered the hour requirement for Tenured Board Members. In-person Governance Training provided by the SCSC has concluded, and all governing board members must fulfill their training requirement by June 30. New Members are reminded to complete the required two hours of virtual training in addition to in-person training. The SCSC Governance Training Policy and Guidance, as well as a list of approved external providers, can be found on the SCSC Training Page.
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June Board Meeting
SCSC Board of Commissioners will hold its June Board Meeting on Wednesday, Jun 25, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be live-streamed for virtual attendees. Visit the SCSC Board Governance page for meeting details.
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The SCSC monthly newsletter is taking a break for July and will resume in August with news and updates from the State Charter Schools Commission.
Share Your School News
Send your accomplishments, milestones, and program highlights to molly.gassman@scsc.georgia.gov to be considered for an upcoming newsletter feature.
| | 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. | | | | |
