More Georgia students will soon have access to high quality public-school options. This fall, seven new charter schools are opening their doors in Georgia – Liberation Academy, Miles Ahead Charter School, Peace Academy Charter, Sankofa Montessori, The Anchor School, Utopian Academy for the Arts Trilith, and Zest Preparatory Academy. The new schools are authorized by the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia. Liberation Academy, Miles Ahead Charter School, Peace Academy, Sankofa Montessori, The Anchor School, and Zest Preparatory Academy participated in the GSCA Incubator Program. Learn more about each of the schools below.
Liberation Academy
Liberation Academy greeted its first students on Wednesday, Aug. 2. The public charter school will serve students in grades 5-6 for its inaugural year and will grow annually until it reaches the eighth grade. Liberation Academy is located in College Park and is open to families who live in South Metro Atlanta and beyond.
With a focus on rigorous academics, culturally relevant approaches, and computer science, Liberation Academy will provide a learning experience rooted in engaging and empowering students to think critically about their world.
Miles Ahead Charter School
Two hundred students were recently welcomed through the doors of Miles Ahead Charter School. The public charter school is located in Cobb County with a statewide attendance zone. Miles Ahead plans to add a grade level per year until the school serves students in grades K-8.
“Our school is dedicated to offering instruction that allows students to reach their full potential and apply their education to improve their local and global communities,” said Kolt Bloxson, Founder of MACS. “We prepare them to be miles ahead of what they ever thought possible.”
Miles Ahead is focused on student growth and academic achievement through a whole child approach to education. The school’s mission is to provide all students with the social and academic skills necessary to help them realize their potential for local impact and global change.
Peace Academy
PEACE Academy is a tuition-free public charter school in Southeast Atlanta that promotes educational and cultural empowerment. The school opened to students in grades K-3 on Monday, Aug. 7.
Peace Academy plans to grow by a grade level per year until the school serves students through the eighth grade. The state charter school provides inquiry-based learning, cultural immersion, and community-based field experiences that teach students to become leaders.
Sankofa Montessori
Sankofa Montessori, the only tuition-free public Montessori elementary available to students in metro Atlanta, opened its doors to students in July. During its inaugural year, Sankofa will serve students in grades K-2 and plans to grow by a grade level each year until it enrolls students through the sixth grade.
Sankofa Montessori is located in Clayton County and will provide families and students with a culturally responsive, child and family-centered Montessori education. Sankofa has a statewide attendance zone and will implement a child-centered approach to instruction that allows each child’s own interests to guide learning in multi-age groupings and classrooms that reinforce student interest and learning.
The Anchor School
The Anchor School is opening on Monday, Aug. 14, to approximately 100 rising 6th grade students. The school will leverage project-based learning and strategic community-based partnerships to nurture the whole child through the entirety of adolescence. Located in DeKalb County, the school will grow to become a 6th-12th grade school with a statewide attendance zone.
“We are excited to demonstrate what’s possible when school, family, and community partner hand-in-hand with young people as they develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary for life in school and beyond,” said Josh Pinto Taylor, Head of School for The Anchor School.
Utopian Academy for the Arts at Trilith
Utopian Academy for the Arts at Trilith (UAFA), the latest addition to Georgia’s first arts-based charter school network, welcomed nearly 100 inaugural middle school students during its first week of classes in Fayette County. The school is operating in partnership with Trilith Studios, the blockbuster film and television enterprise behind some of the nation’s top-grossing movies, including “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”
UAFA at Trilith was authorized by the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia to serve middle school students statewide. The free, public charter school offers core academic courses plus career-inspiring classes in animation, digital art, visual art and design, audio and video production, coding and game design, and film and television production. Trilith Studios is one of the Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School Network’s longtime community partners.
Zest Preparatory Academy
ZEST Preparatory Academy, a state charter school with a forward-focus on literacy and leadership, opened in early August to students in grades K-3. The public charter school provides a high-quality educational option to students and families in Douglas County.
Zest Preparatory Academy is committed to preparing the next generation of leaders to take their seat at the table in an academically rigorous, supportive, and joyful environment.
“We are excited and honored to have the opportunity to bring a school focused on leadership to the Douglas County community. Our model is designed to hone the skills of our young leaders, so they are prepared to take a seat at the table of opportunity through scholarship and service,” said Monique Carruthers, ZEST Preparatory Academy’s Founder.
