MARCH NEWSLETTER
March 5, 2026
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| SCSC Board Renews Four Charter Schools | | |
The SCSC Board of Commissioners voted to renew charter contracts for four state charter schools at its February 25 meeting.
Atlanta SMART Academy, Liberty Tech Charter School, and Northwest Classical Academy earned five-year renewals by demonstrating strong academic outcomes alongside steady, sustainable financial and operational practices.
SLAM Academy of Atlanta earned a three-year renewal term based on stable financial and operational performance and improved academic growth.
Each school’s renewal was determined by its performance track record, as measured by the SCSC Comprehensive Performance Framework, demonstrating fulfillment of the SCSC mission of providing students with better educational opportunities than they would otherwise receive at their zoned traditional public schools. Collectively, the renewed schools serve more than 1,700 students.
Read the full announcement.
| | SCSC Board Elects 2026 Chair and Vice-Chair | | The State Charter Schools Commission (SCSC) Board of Commissioners (Board) elected Commissioner Cayanna Good, Ph.D., as Chair and Commissioner Buzz Brockway as Vice-Chair for 2026 at its February 25 meeting. | | Cayanna Good, Ph.D.,Chair | | Buzz Brockway, Vice-Chair | | |
Chairwoman Good joined the SCSC Board in 2021 and served as Vice-Chair in 2025. She currently serves as Deputy Commissioner for Innovation and Impact at the Technical College System of Georgia, where she leads systemwide strategic planning and drives organizational improvement across all institutional pillars.
Vice-Chairman Brockway joined the SCSC Board in 2019 and previously served as Chair from 2021 to 2023. He currently serves as Vice President of Public Policy for the Georgia Center for Opportunity, coordinating policy and reform efforts to expand access to quality education, meaningful work, and healthy relationships for Georgians.
The SCSC extends its sincere appreciation to outgoing Chair, Commissioner Mike Dudgeon, for exceptional leadership and dedicated service. Commissioner Dudgeon will continue to serve on the Board.
Read the full announcement.
| | YHALE Holds Fourth Annual Lunar New Year Celebration | | Kindergarten class performance of "Good Luck & Feng Yang Flower Drum" | Yi Hwang Academy of Language Excellence (YHALE) welcomed nearly 2,000 attendees to its fourth annual Lunar New Year celebration – a free community event showcasing students through Korean and Chinese cultural performances that reflect traditions celebrated across both communities. SCSC Communications Specialist Erica Acha-Morfaw attended the event with members of the school and broader community. | | |
Performances included:
A Chinese folk song "Mo Li Hua", popularized in the 18th century, presented by the school’s symphony orchestra, a second-grade class performance of “Buchaechum,” A fifth-grade class taekwondo demonstration, and a kindergarten class performance of "Good Luck & Feng Yang Flower Drum", which was selected as one of the 2025 National Chinese Expo of Student Works by the American Academy of International Culture and Education.
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"Lunar New Year celebration is our biggest event of the year, and it brings our whole community together," said school principal Anthony Chung. "It is a meaningful way for students to connect their Chinese and Korean language learning with cultural applications."
The event also provided prospective families with an opportunity to experience the school's language-immersion approach through guided tours led by school administrators and parent leaders.
Yi Hwang Academy of Language Excellence is a state charter school in Duluth serving students in grades K-8 with a statewide attendance zone.
| | Left to right: Erica Acha-Morfaw, Anthony Chung, Board Chair Liza Park, and Board Members Emile Hanam and Eddie Kali. | | The Meliora School Hosts Inaugural Accepted Learners Day | | |
The Meliora School (Meliora) welcomed more than 100 enrolled students and their families to its inaugural Accepted Learners Day on February 21 at Grace Snellville Church. The event gave incoming sixth- and seventh-graders an opportunity to build connections with future classmates, and parents the chance to meet with school leaders.
Students participated in STEM-based, community-building exercises, and the school offered information on Meliora’s mastery-based learning model, House System, and enrichment opportunities.
| | Erica Acha-Morfaw with members of The Meliora School leadership and governing board | | |
"After years of planning and preparation, welcoming our inaugural class and their families was the culmination of so much hard work," said Head of School Dr. Christine Keck. "Watching our learners collaborate for the first time and seeing families engage so deeply with our vision confirmed that we're building the right school for Gwinnett County. The connections that began at this event will be the foundation of our school community when we open this fall.”
The Meliora School is a state charter school opening in Snellville in Fall 2026. The school will serve students in grades 6-7 from Gwinnett County in the 2026-27 school year and is authorized to serve grades 6-12.
| | Odyssey Charter School Supports Animal Welfare Organizations | Odyssey Charter School (Odyssey) exceeded its goal and collected more than 1,474 pounds of pet food, 476 pounds of litter, 504 collars, leashes and toys, 195 blankets, and $1,680 in monetary contributions during the school's "Have a Heart, Help a Pet" supply drive held February 2-11, to support local animal welfare organizations. | |
The supply drive reinforced student lessons on responsibility, civic engagement, recognizing community needs, and understanding their role as active contributors in their community.
"This drive reflects the heart of Odyssey — empowering students to lead with compassion and take action in their community," said Rebecca Roberts, Testing and Curriculum Coordinator. "Watching our students rally together to support local animal rescue organizations shows that service isn't just a lesson we teach; it's a value we live."
Odyssey also hosted a pet adoption day. All donated items and funds were given to the Newnan-Coweta Humane Society, Royal Animal Refuge, and Coco's Cupboard.
Odyssey Charter School is a state charter school in Newnan serving students in grades K-8 from Coweta, Meriwether, Carroll, Douglas, Fulton, Fayette, Heard, and Troup counties.
| | SCA Director Selected for Leadership Lowndes | |
Keri Wilkin, Director of Elementary Programs and Engagement at Scintilla Charter Academy (SCA), was selected for the 2026 class of Leadership Lowndes.
Leadership Lowndes was established in 1988 to connect existing and emerging leaders to local challenges and opportunities in Lowndes County. Thirty leaders are chosen each year and commit to a 12-month program that includes high-impact service projects, leadership development programming, and an opportunity to visit the state Capitol.
"I am so honored to be selected for Leadership Lowndes and incredibly proud to represent Scintilla Charter Academy," said Wilkin, who has served at the school for seven years. "SCA is truly a one-of-a-kind school, and I'm grateful for the chance to strengthen community connections on its behalf."
Scintilla Charter Academy is a state charter school in Valdosta, GA, serving students in grades K-12 in Lowndes and Brooks counties and the City of Valdosta.
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Staff Spotlight: SCSC Executive Director Named
VSU Alumni Board President
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Executive Director Donovan Head began serving as President of the Valdosta State University (VSU) Alumni Association Board of Directors (VSU Alumni Board) on January 1, 2026, for a two-year term through December 31, 2027.
Head graduated from VSU in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and joined the VSU Alumni Board in January 2015. He most recently served as Vice President and has spent over a decade supporting VSU's pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, recruitment, and community involvement; fostering relationships between current and future alumni; and promoting their personal and professional achievements.
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Head steps into the role at a pivotal moment for VSU. The University System of Georgia is conducting a national search for the university's 11th president, following former President Richard Carvajal's departure in January 2026. As VSU Alumni Board President, Head will help introduce the incoming university president to the VSU Alumni Association's more than 70,000 members through statewide events and engagement efforts that support the university's continued growth and student success. He also serves as an ex officio member of the VSU Foundation Board of Trustees.
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SCSC Concludes FY26 Governance Training
The SCSC concluded annual governance training with its final event held February 10-11 at the Loudermilk Conference Center in Atlanta.
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The SCSC welcomed nearly 300 state charter school governing board members and provided training sessions led by local and national experts in charter school governance, academic oversight, and financial management.
“I look forward to the SCSC Governance Training each year. The breakout sessions are very informative and helpful. Thanks to the staff for a professional event,” noted one participating governing board member.
The SCSC thanks all attendees for their commitment to continuous learning and effective stewardship of Georgia's state charter schools. This year, the SCSC implemented a new event management platform and offered new sessions, including a focus on the Charter School Indicators of Distress and information about the PEACH Education Tax Credit.
New governing board members are reminded to complete the virtual training by June 30. For more information, please email michele.neely@scsc.georgia.gov.
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FY26 SCSC Approved Auditor Program
Request for Proposals Now Open
Proposal Deadline: March 31, 2026
The SCSC is accepting proposals from individuals and firms interested in becoming an approved auditor to provide audit services to state charter schools as part of the FY2026 Approved Auditor Program.
State charter schools are required to receive an annual independent audit conducted by a certified professional accountant authorized to do business in Georgia. To facilitate timely, accurate, and high-quality audits, the SCSC approves auditors that state charter schools may select to conduct their required audits at the SCSC's expense.
Timeline:
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Feb 27 – Request for Proposals released
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Mar 31 – Proposals due to SCSC
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Apr 24 – Award notifications sent
Read the full announcement for additional details and proposal materials.
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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.
| | Northwest Classical Academy students addressed the SCSC Board during charter contract renewals at the February 25 meeting. | |
Share Your School's Story
State charter schools across Georgia are making an impact –
We want to promote your story!
We invite state charter schools to submit accomplishments, milestones, and program highlights for consideration in 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. | | | | |
