Pictured L to R: Nandi Edouard, Executive Director, The Simple Vue Academy; Christa Thomas, GCSA VP of New School Development, and Tiana Stephenson, Executive Director of The Wright Community School.
The Georgia Charter Schools Association’s New School Development Department is playing a critical role in expanding access to high-quality public education across Georgia. Through its comprehensive Charter Incubator, the department supports aspiring school founders and proven operators looking to open, replicate, or expand charter schools across the state.
The department is led by Christa Thomas, GCSA’s Vice President of New School Development, who brings extensive experience in educational leadership, charter school authorization, and new school development.
To date, the incubator has supported more than 19 successful petitions, 16 operational schools, and secured approval for more than 7,000 student seats. Three more schools are set to open this fall.
The Charter Incubator offers multiple tracks tailored to different stages of school development:
- Authorization Track: One- or two-year options for teams preparing to submit a new petition to the State Charter Schools Commission or a local district.
- Replication Track: Rolling support for high-quality schools seeking to expand their model to serve more communities.
- Year Zero Program: Intensive support during the planning year between authorization and opening.
- Charter Development Program: A deep dive into school design and petition strategy.
Participants receive targeted coaching, expert-led workshops, strategic support in finance and facilities, and guidance throughout the authorization process. The program also offers resources in governance, academic planning, operations, and community engagement.
Incubator participants receive targeted coaching, expert-led workshops, and support in finance, governance, facilities, and academic planning. The Incubator also provides existing charter schools and charter networks with the training, resources, and support to scale proven models of success to serve additional locations or students.
Recent successes include the approval of The Wright Community School, The Simple Vue Academy, Dominion Purpose Academy, Cherokee Classical Academy, and Fayette Classical Academy. Many of these schools serve students in areas with limited access to high-quality public options.
The program prioritizes school leaders committed to serving historically underserved students and communities. For more information or to explore eligibility, visit GCSA’s website.
