Atlanta, GA – Allen Mueller, currently Executive Director of Innovation for Atlanta Public Schools (APS), has been named Executive Director of New Schools for Georgia (NS-GA) and will begin his new role in mid-November. NS-GA is a charter growth initiative launched and supported by the Georgia Charter Schools Association (GCSA).
The new charter growth initiative will drive the creation of high-quality charter schools throughout Georgia by training and preparing potential school leaders and by providing support services to opening schools.
Planning to launch a charter school is a complex process, generally requiring two years or more. NS-GA will provide comprehensive services to parents, community groups, school districts as well as charter petitioners, boards and school leaders.
The goal is to dramatically increase the availability of high-quality public charter school options to children and parents across the state.
“The charter school movement in Georgia has matured to the point where we need a more rigorous and intensive program to accelerate the growth of high quality schools,” said Dr. Tony Roberts, President & CEO of GCSA, which is spearheading the effort. “For more than seven years, we have been supporting the growth of the charter movement, but this represents a much more comprehensive approach.”
“Allen Mueller has been a respected local authorizer of charter schools for a local school district that has capitalized on the advantages of including start-up charters in their portfolio of student options,” Roberts continued. “Most recently, he has been involved in their efforts to explore the possibilities of becoming a Charter System. He is a natural to lead this new venture.”
Dena Kimball, Executive Director of the Kendeda Fund, who has strong ties to education reform through her work at Teach for All and Teach for America, also expressed enthusiasm for the incubator and its new leadership. “Allen Mueller has been a critical force in establishing high quality choice options within Atlanta Public Schools. I’m confident he’ll bring that same vision, spirit of partnership, and highest standards to GCSA in service of our state’s children.”
Chris Clark, President & CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, praised the incubator concept. “Starting a new business often requires financial support, training, and expert advice. It’s clear that starting a school from scratch requires similar resources. The business community is excited to see GCSA launch a new charter school incubator program. With the support of parents, teachers, and business leaders from communities across Georgia, the incubator program will help bring more high quality public school options to students.”
Mueller said he believes that the incubator will move Georgia into the top tier of states that not only believe in the power of school choice, but also provide the resources to expand school options. “The incubator model allows us to provide concentrated training for petitioners who have found their mission and vision, but require assistance in gaining the capacity to bring their schools to life. An incubator will also allow us to provide operational and strategic support to charter schools who have already been approved to open, or may have already opened.”
Those interested in learning more may contact GCSA, NS-GA by visiting www.gacharters.org for contact information.
