(Pictured L to R: Tony Roberts, GCSA President/CEO; Cameron Quick, Facility Resource Center; Jeffrey Houser, Facility Resource Center; Hannah Heck, WACS Board Member; and Dr. Pamela Tanner, WACS Executive Director.)
Congratulations to Westside Atlanta Charter School, the 2024 Georgia Charter School of the Year! The Atlanta public charter school won $5,000 for educational use after receiving the top number of attendee votes following live presentations at GCSA’s annual conference at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest at Galleria.
“We are incredibly honored and humbled to receive the 2024 Georgia Charter School of the Year award,” said Dr. Pamela Tanner, Executive Director of Westside Atlanta Charter School. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire school community – from our passionate educators to our supportive families and determined students. Together, we have created a learning environment that embodies holistic growth, community belonging, curious minds, and fosters academic excellence. This award fuels our commitment to continue innovating, collaborating, and pushing the boundaries of excellence in education.”
In 2023, Westside Atlanta Charter School outperformed Atlanta Public Schools on the Georgia Milestones Assessments and was among the schools that received the Literacy Leaders award from the Georgia Department of Education. The award was granted to Westside for outstanding growth in the school’s 3rd-grade Milestone scores, which increased by more than 15% from the previous school year.
Central to Westside’s vision for academic success and community engagement is the introduction of Westside University, an innovative summer program. Held throughout the month of June, Westside University aims to combat the “Summer Slide” and offer valuable learning opportunities. The program includes tailored academic classes to address the needs of individual students, ensuring continuous intellectual growth. Furthermore, understanding the significance of social-emotional development, Westside Atlanta Charter School incorporates specialized classes to support the holistic well-being of Westside students. Open to all Westside students, Westside University underscores the school’s commitment to academic excellence, as evidenced by the recognition received in the preceding school year.
In addition, Westside Atlanta Charter School takes a holistic approach to success that extends beyond academic accomplishments to positively impact the school’s community. Through purposeful partnerships and targeted initiatives, Westside aims to cultivate a supportive environment that promotes both educational excellence and community well-being. A cornerstone of Westside’s community impact lies in its strategic partnerships, such as collaboration with the Grocery Spot. Within Westside, the school provides essential resources like a food pantry, uniform closet, and school supply closet, tailored to meet the specific needs of local community members. This initiative underscores Westside’s commitment to addressing the broader socio-economic challenges faced by school families. Westside Atlanta Charter School also proudly operates a farm-to-school program. This innovative initiative not only contributes to the health and well-being of the school’s students and their families but also imparts valuable lessons in agriculture. Through this program, students have the unique opportunity to cultivate organic produce, fostering a hands-on connection with the food they consume. This multifaceted approach aligns with Westside’s broader mission of providing holistic education that extends beyond traditional academic realms. In summary, Westside University and the school’s farm-to-school program exemplify Westside’s adaptive and student-centric approach to programming. These initiatives not only address the practical needs of the school’s community but also enrich the educational experience, instilling values of sustainability and healthy living. Through these efforts, Westside Atlanta Charter School continues to be a beacon of innovative and impactful education within the Atlanta community.
Westside Atlanta Charter School received the honor after presenting alongside two other finalists for the award, Savannah Classical Academy, a K-12 public charter school serving residents in Chatham County, and Georgia Connections Academy, a statewide virtual charter school. The Charter School of the Year awards were generously sponsored by the Facility Resource Center.
