Charles R. Drew Charter School Elementary Academy

Since opening in 2000 as Atlanta Public Schools’ first charter school, Charles R. Drew Charter School has proven its innovative approach to education works. Founded through a pioneering partnership of community members, parents, philanthropists and civic leaders, Drew Charter School serves as a key component of the holistic revitalization of Atlanta’s East Lake community. Drew’s primary purpose is to serve the children of the Villages of East Lake, a mixed-income apartment community at the center of East Lake’s redevelopment. Through the coordinated efforts of Drew Charter School and its partners, children in the community benefit from a seamless, high-quality educational experience from birth through college.

Over Drew Charter School’s twenty-year history, the school has grown to serve grades Pre-K-12 and today enrolls nearly 1,900 students, consistently attaining strong academic outcomes among its racially and socioeconomically diverse population. From tailored Response to Intervention support to a rigorous STEAM/Project-Based Learning instructional model to robust College and Career Readiness programs, every element of this dynamic, supportive educational continuum has been thoughtfully designed to ensure all students succeed. More than just a school, Drew is at the heart of a community-wide commitment to launch all students on a pathway to health, impact and prosperity.