FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2026
Atlanta, GA – Thousands of Georgia families will have expanded public school options after the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) approved four new charter schools on Wednesday, July 29. Atlantic Connections Academy, Middle Georgia Preparatory Academy, Prestige Preparatory School, and Spalding Academy for Innovation and Learning are set to open for the 2027-2028 school year.
Three of the newly approved schools—Atlantic Connections Academy, Middle Georgia Preparatory Academy and Prestige Preparatory School—participated in the Georgia Charter Schools Association’s Charter Incubator Program, a competitive training process designed to attract and prepare top talent for establishing or replicating public charter schools in Georgia.
Charter schools are public, free, open to all students, and an important part of Georgia’s education system. Each school offers a distinct educational approach designed to prepare students for lifelong success and meet the unique needs of its students and families.
“All children deserve the opportunity to attend public schools that meet their individual needs and help them reach their full potential, and the approval of additional schools is always welcome news to the 21,000 students who currently appear on charter school waitlists,” said Bonnie Holliday, President and CEO of the Georgia Charter Schools Association. “Today’s approvals reflect the hard work and dedication of community groups and educators throughout the state. We’re proud to support these founding charter school teams, and we appreciate the State Charter Schools Commission’s continued commitment to a rigorous authorizing process that helps ensure more Georgia families have access to high-quality public school options.”
GCSA’s Charter Incubator Program selects and supports aspiring public charter school founders as they develop school models, prepare charter petitions, navigate the charter authorization process, and prepare to open for students. The program provides founding teams with coaching, mentorship, and technical assistance in governance, finance, academics, operations, community engagement, and launch planning, equipping them to open strong, sustainable schools.
“Community engagement is an essential part of developing a strong charter school petition application,” said Christa Thomas, Vice President of New School Development for the Georgia Charter Schools Association. “Each of these schools was shaped by extensive community input throughout the petition and application process. We’re excited to see these founding teams bring that vision to life and provide new public school options that reflect the priorities of the communities they will serve.”
GCSA’s Charter Incubator Program has helped establish more than 16 charter schools serving more than 2,500 students across Georgia. The three newly approved schools will provide additional public school options for over 4,500 families.
Each school approved today completed a comprehensive application and review process demonstrating its readiness to meet Georgia’s high standards for charter schools. GCSA will continue working alongside each founding team as they prepare to welcome students.
Meet Georgia’s Newly Approved Charter Schools
Atlantic Connections Academy
Atlantic Connections Academy is a tuition-free online public charter school for students across Georgia. The school will offer a comprehensive virtual school experience that emphasizes career programming aligned with Georgia’s High Demand Career List beginning in the 2027-28 school year for students in grades 6-10 and will expand to add grades 11 and 12. The online program will combine Georgia-certified teachers specially trained in online instruction, a rigorous standards-aligned curriculum, college and career readiness offerings, and socialization opportunities to create a student-focused learning environment with a strong circle of support and a deep sense of belonging.
“The approval of Atlantic Connections Academy marks an exciting milestone in bringing Georgia families a high-quality online public education option designed to prepare students for career, college, and beyond,” said Andy Daugherty, Board Chair for Atlantic Connections Academy. “We are grateful to the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia for its thorough review and approval of our school, and to the Georgia Charter Schools Association’s Charter Incubator Program for its guidance and support throughout this process.”
Middle Georgia Preparatory Academy
Middle Georgia Preparatory Academy will become the first public charter school serving the Dublin-Laurens County area when it opens in fall 2027. Guided by its “Gifted for All” philosophy, the tuition-free K-8 school believes every child possesses unique gifts and will help students discover, develop, and maximize those strengths through personalized learning, meaningful relationships, strong family and community partnerships, and a commitment to developing the next generation of leaders.
“We are absolutely ecstatic and deeply honored by the State Charter Schools Commission’s recommendation to approve Middle Georgia Preparatory Academy,” said Matt Taylor, Founder and Executive Director of Middle Georgia Preparatory Academy. “This milestone represents far more than the authorization of a school. It represents hope, opportunity, and a brighter future for the children and families of Dublin and Laurens County. We are excited to begin building a school where every child is known, challenged, supported, and empowered to soar. We are also incredibly grateful to the Georgia Charter Schools Association’s Incubator team, whose unwavering guidance, expert coaching, and steadfast encouragement were instrumental throughout our journey and helped transform what began as a dream into a reality.”
Prestige Preparatory School
Prestige Preparatory School will open in Valdosta in fall 2027 as the second public charter school serving the region. The tuition-free K-8 school combines rigorous academics, character formation, and career readiness through a mastery-based learning model that ensures students demonstrate a deep understanding before advancing. As one of only seven Khan Schools Network partner schools in the world, and only the second in Georgia, Prestige will bring an innovative educational model to South Georgia families.
“We are incredibly grateful for the SCSC’s approval of Prestige Preparatory School,” said Dr. Keon N. Berry, Founder of Prestige Preparatory School. “This approval represents an important step forward for Georgia students. Prestige Preparatory School has lived in my heart since I was a little boy growing up in Windsor, Connecticut. I believe every child deserves access to an excellent education because education truly changed my life. That belief has guided our journey, and the Georgia Charter Schools Association’s Charter Incubator was instrumental in helping us turn that vision into reality. Simply put, Prestige Preparatory School would not exist or be where it is today without their guidance, expertise, and belief in our vision.”
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About the Georgia Charter Schools Association
The Georgia Charter Schools Association is a nonprofit membership organization for Georgia’s public charter schools and petitioners. Our mission is to support, foster and advocate for the development of high-quality public charter schools and networks that improve opportunities for Georgia students. We believe every child in Georgia should have equal access to a quality and transformative public education.
CONTACT:
Michelle Wirth
GCSA Senior Director of Communications
mwirth@gacharters.org