The State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia approved a charter petition for Savannah Exploratory Charter Academy during its meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 28. The school is expected to open in fall of 2020 with grades K-3 and plans to grow a grade level per year up to the fifth grade.
Savannah Exploratory Charter Academy plans to locate in South Savannah with attendance open to students living throughout the Savannah-Chatham Public School System. The public charter school intends to provide rigorous, standards-based learning through a project-based learning approach and a blended learning model. The school will also focus on personalized learning experiences and the development of partnerships with organizations outside of the school to bring real-world relevancy to instruction. Savannah Exploratory Charter Academy will also emphasize community and belonging to facilitate a positive social and emotional learning environment using school-wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) as part of a Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS).
Savannah Exploratory Charter Academy founder Roger Moss worked to start Savannah Classical Academy and the Savannah Children’s Choir. Board members for the school include: Walter Carson III, owner of The Carson Company; attorney Patrick Connell; Julie Diebolt, founding board member of Savannah Classical Academy and a human resources expert; Jason Gallegos, a former Savannah Children’s Choir board member, Juliann Sergi McBrayer, Assistant Professor at Georgia Southern University and Kevin Jackson Jr.
In July, the State Charter Schools Commission approved Amana Academy West, Atlanta SMART Academy, Atlanta Unbound Academy and D.E.L.T.A. STEAM Academy, Georgia Fugees Academy Charter School and Collegiate Academy of Albany. Commissioners also approved Furlow Charter School, which is currently a district-authorized charter school. The recent petition cycle marks the largest number of approvals in the history of the SCSC.
