Start a New School

Georgia law requires that charter schools are governed by a registered non-profit governing board. The governing board is responsible for ensuring that academic performance measures set forth in the charter are met. The governing board’s duties and responsibilities include school-level decision making, fiscal management, and a variety of school operations such as personnel decisions. 

A charter petitioner does not include home study programs or schools, sectarian schools, religious schools, private for-profit schools, private educational institutions not established, operated, or governed by the State of Georgia, or existing private schools.

State Charter Schools

A state charter school authorized by the SCSC serves as an independent local education agency. Submission of a petition to the SCSC generally includes a requirement to concurrently submit a petition to one or more local boards of education. View the resources on this page to learn more about the process and requirements to submit a charter school petition to the SCSC.

Locally-approved Charter School

A local board of education, along with the State Board of Education, can authorize charter schools. The local board of education serves as the local education agency for a locally approved charter school. Contact the local board of education where you intend to locate for more information on its process to submit a charter school petition.