Georgia Commission Board Approves Three New Charter Schools for Fall 2025 Open

ATLANTA, GA – August 2, 2024 – The State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) Board of Commissioners affirmed the recommendation to approve charter petitions for three new start-up charter schools at its July 31, 2024, board meeting. The newly approved schools are Movement School Atlanta, The Simple Vue Academy, and The Wright Community School, all of which plan to open in the 2025-26 school year.

“This round of approvals is particularly meaningful as it marks my first year with the SCSC,” said Executive Director Donovan Head. “The approval of these innovative schools reflects our continued commitment to expanding high-quality educational opportunities for students across Georgia. I am proud of the strides we have made and look forward to seeing the positive impact these schools will have in their communities.”

Eleven start-up petitions were submitted in the 2024 petition cycle. The full petition review process includes a staff review of the petition for legal compliance and an in-depth panel interview with staff, commissioners, and experts in the fields of finance, education, law, and policy. Interview panels make recommendations to the SCSC Board of Commissioners to approve or deny petitions, and commissioners vote upon those recommendations.

"The commission is very happy to see these new schools, including two that cover high school which is a big need for Georgia charters.  We are looking forward to them helping drive better outcomes for kids which is what this is all about," said SCSC Chairman Mike Dudgeon.

The approvals of The Simple Vue Academy and The Wright Community School directly align with the SCSC Strategic Plan objective to “Expand high-quality middle and high charter school choice”. Including all new approvals, the SCSC has authorized 53 state charter schools throughout the state. Currently, 46 schools are operational; two will open in the 2024-2025 school year; and five are scheduled to open in the 2025-2026 school year. More information about state-authorized charter schools can be found on the Find a School page of the SCSC website.

Information about the Newly Approved Schools:

Movement School Atlanta (MSA): MSA is part of the Movement Schools Network, based out of North Carolina, and will be the second state-authorized charter school in Georgia, following Movement School Athens. MSA will have a defined attendance zone of the Atlanta Public Schools, Clayton County Public Schools, Dekalb County School District, and Fulton County School System and serve grades K-5. The school’s educational model centers on problem-based learning, character development and college and career readiness. MSA’s mission is to love and value scholars and communities by leading a movement of excellence in education. In partnership with their families, MSA equips their scholars with the tools to close generational gaps through self-efficacy, access to world-class instruction, and financial education. For more information, visit https://www.movementschools.org/

The Simple Vue Academy (SVA): SVA will have a defined attendance zone of the Cobb County School District, Douglas County School System, Fulton County School System, and Paulding County School District with a proposed brick-and-mortar location in Douglas County and serve grades 6-12. The school’s educational model utilizes a Project-Based STREAM model (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) focused on fostering entrepreneurial thinking, promoting community engagement, and preparing students for the evolving demands of the 21st-century workforce. SVA's mission is to create a sustainable pathway to entrepreneurship by providing scholars with STREAM-based education, guidance on business and financial management and a village of support. SVA aims to increase college and career readiness for all students. For more information, visit https://www.thesimplevueacademy.org/

The Wright Community School (WCS): WCS will have a defined attendance zone of the Clayton County Public Schools, DeKalb County School District, and Henry County Schools with a proposed brick-and-mortar location in Henry County and serve grades 6-12. The school will utilize a mastery-based learning model and promote the mission of empowering students to become the P.I.L.OT.S. (Proactive, Innovative, Literate, Organized, & Tenacious Scholars) of their own lives by fostering a strong sense of community and providing them with an individualized education enriched with support and leadership. WCS will provide students with personalized pathways leading to their success through a supportive, community-centered model that fosters academic achievement, leadership, and lifelong learning. For more information, visit https://www.thewrightcommunityschool.org/

###

About the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia

The State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) is Georgia’s state-level independent charter school authorizing body. The mission of the SCSC is to improve public education by authorizing high-quality charter schools that provide students with better educational opportunities than they would otherwise receive in traditional district schools. The SCSC has the power to approve or deny petitions for state charter schools and renew, non-renew, or terminate state charters in accordance with Georgia law.