FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 30, 2025
Two new Georgia charter schools will soon open, expanding access to high-quality public education across the state. On Wednesday, July 30, the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) approved Northwest Georgia Charter Academy and The Meliora School for the 2026–2027 school year. Northwest Georgia Charter Academy is a hands-on, project-based K–5 charter school serving students in Floyd County, Polk County, and the City of Rome. The Meliora School is an innovative, student-centered 6th–12th grade school opening in Gwinnett County.
Both schools 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.
“We’re very proud that GCSA’s Charter School Incubator continues to earn the confidence of the SCSC,” said Dr. Bonnie Holliday, President and CEO of the Georgia Charter Schools Association. “With more than 21,000 students currently on charter school waitlists across Georgia, these approvals will provide critical new educational options to families in communities with significant demand.”
“The approval of The Meliora School and Northwest Georgia Charter Academy is a powerful step forward for public education in Georgia. These schools represent the very best of what can happen when visionary leaders, dedicated communities, and the GCSA Charter Incubator Program come together with a shared commitment to excellence,” said Christa Thomas, GCSA’s Vice President of New School Development. “Both models—mastery-based learning in Gwinnett County and EL Education in Northwest Georgia—will give students access to rigorous, innovative, and student-centered experiences that prepare them to thrive in school and beyond. We are proud to have walked alongside these founding teams and look forward to supporting them as they bring their bold visions to life for Georgia families.”
Northwest Georgia Charter Academy and The Meliora School received state approval after completing the GCSA Charter Incubator program. This successful program supports start-up schools through the charter petition process and provides coaching and professional development during their initial two years. 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.
“Today’s authorization will forever change the landscape of public education in our communities. It is a historic milestone and an honor for the small team that has worked tirelessly over the last four years to bring this vision to life,” said Judy Taylor, Founder and President of the Northwest Georgia Charter Academy. “GCSA has been instrumental in preparing us for this moment. We are extremely grateful for the GCSA Incubator Program which has provided technical support, coaching, and encouragement for our team. We look forward to working with GCSA as we move forward to establish and operate a high-quality public charter school in northwest Georgia.”
“Being recommended for approval by Georgia’s State Charter Schools Commission is a moment I’ll never forget. It’s a milestone that reflects the voices, hopes, and hard work of the community that helped shape this school,” said Dr. Christine Keck, Founder of The Meliora School. “As a neurodivergent leader and lifelong educator, this journey has been deeply personal—and a testament to what’s possible when we always pursue better, together. The Georgia Charter Schools Association’s Incubator Program played a pivotal role in that process, providing intensive coaching, strategic guidance, and unwavering support every step of the way.”
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.
About Northwest Georgia Charter Academy
The Northwest Georgia Charter Academy will be the first public charter school in the region, serving students who live in Floyd, Polk and Rome City school districts. While students
in these districts currently benefit from traditional public school offerings, Northwest Georgia Charter Academy will bring new opportunities to students and families with a rigorous curriculum and the award-winning Expeditionary Learning (EL) Education model. The EL model offers students a unique educational experience that includes a focus in three equally important areas: High Quality Student Work; Mastery of Knowledge and Skills; and Character.
About The Meliora School
Opening in Gwinnett County, The Meliora School will be the region’s first mastery-based public charter school, offering a new option for middle and high school students. The school features a student-centered model focused on mastery-based learning, computer science, and entrepreneurship. Through a partnership with the Khan Schools Network, students will engage in rigorous, project-based learning aligned to Georgia Standards.
Rooted in the Latin word meliora, meaning “better,” the school embraces a mindset of continuous growth. Meliora is committed to reimagining what school can be—creating a supportive community where students are challenged to think critically, build confidently, and pursue meaningful work.
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