First Charter School in Muscogee County among Approvals by the State Charter Schools Commission

ATLANTA, GA – The State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) Board of Commissioners has approved charter contracts for three new schools, including the first charter school in Muscogee County. These approvals at the August 28, 2024 board meeting mark a significant step forward in the SCSC’s mission to enhance public education across Georgia by authorizing high-quality charter schools. The newly approved schools—Dominion Purpose Academy, Cherokee Classical Academy, and Fayette Classical Academy—are set to open in the next 2-3 years.

“The State Charter Schools Commission is committed to expanding high-quality public education options throughout Georgia. Our state needs more charter schools, particularly in high-need areas beyond Atlanta. Dominion Purpose Academy is a milestone as the first charter school in Muscogee County and Columbus, Georgia’s third-largest city and home to some of the state’s most underserved communities,” said SCSC Executive Director Donovan Head. “With over 14,000 students on charter school waitlists across Georgia, the demand for innovative educational models is clear. To meet this growing need, we are excited to approve Cherokee Classical Academy and Fayette Classical Academy, which reflect the continued growth of the successful Classical education model.”

Meeting Critical Needs in Underserved Communities

Dominion Purpose Academy (DPA), a start-up charter school, is scheduled to open in fall 2025. Located in Muscogee County, DPA is authorized to serve students in grades K-8. Muscogee County includes two of the most impoverished ZIP codes in Georgia—31901 and 31903— where current proficiency rates demonstrated on the Georgia Milestones assessment in English Language Arts (ELA), Math, and Science are among the lowest in the state. Brewer Elementary School in Columbus has a 5.2% proficiency score for ELA and a 6.2% proficiency score for Math. Similarly, Dawson Elementary School has a 7.3% proficiency score for Science. Both schools are within three miles of proposed sites for DPA, and over 87% of their combined students are not meeting grade-level proficiency in ELA, Math, or Science. As the first approved charter in the county, this approval will offer families a new vital educational option.  

Dr. LaTasha Adams, founder of Dominion Purpose Academy, has a proven track record of achieving strong academic outcomes with students from low-income communities facing similar challenges. The DPA team has worked with the Columbus community for seven years to design a school that is responsive to their needs.

“Families in Muscogee County deserve a ‘wealthy education’ that provides their children with the same access and opportunities as their wealthier counterparts,” said Dr. Adams. “Dominion Purpose Academy offers an innovative option for families using the Design Thinking model. This approach teaches critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity—skills that will help students solve problems in their community and prepare them to compete in a global market. By equipping our students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to succeed academically, we are also empowering them to make meaningful change in the world.”

Responding to High Demand for Classical Education

Cherokee Classical Academy (CCA) and Fayette Classical Academy (FCA) are replication charter schools modeled after the highly successful Atlanta Classical Academy, an Atlanta Public Schools charter school. CCA and FCA will be managed by Liberty Classical Schools, a nonprofit organization currently operating Atlanta Classical and Northwest Classical Academies, which consistently outperform surrounding public schools in academic achievement. CCA will be located in Cherokee County, and FCA will be located in Fayette County—communities that have demonstrated strong demand for the new schools.

“Our team is continually inspired by the overwhelming community support for our American Classical model, and we are excited to expand educational opportunities both north and south of Atlanta,” said Dr. Matt Stone, Liberty’s Director of New Schools. “Our existing schools—Atlanta Classical Academy and Northwest Classical Academy—have a combined waitlist of over 3,300 students, with some families commuting more than an hour round trip to attend. Over 1,000 people have already expressed interest in Cherokee Classical, and more than 850 have expressed interest in Fayette Classical. These schools will give families more opportunity to select the educational model that works best for their children, and that is a win for families and for Georgia.”

SCSC Board of Commissioners Chairman Mike Dudgeon highlighted the significance of meeting the increasing demand for specialized education, particularly the Classical education model.

“These recent approvals were momentous in the history of the Commission. We approved our first charter in Columbus and are putting energy behind quality replications, in this case giving thousands of Georgians what they told us they want––access to the Classical education model,” said Chairman Dudgeon.

Statewide Significance

The approval of these new charter schools reflects the growing momentum in Georgia’s efforts to expand educational opportunities. The SCSC remains committed to increasing public school options in communities while also promoting the growth of academically superior schools and replicating proven education models.

State leadership has recognized the significance of these new approvals. Governor Brian Kemp emphasized the importance of these new schools to Georgia families.

“All children in Georgia deserve a quality education that prepares them for success both in and far beyond the classroom, no matter their zip code,” said Governor Kemp. “As we work to further grow choices available to hardworking families, I appreciate these new additions to our education landscape.”

Lt. Governor Burt Jones also highlighted the unique opportunities these schools offer to students across the state.

“These new charter schools represent a pivotal step toward ensuring every child in Georgia has access to the best possible education,” said Lt. Governor Jones. “The introduction of Muscogee County’s first charter school, along with the new schools in Cherokee and Fayette counties, brings unique opportunities to families across the state. We recognize that each child has a unique learning experience, and I will continue to support efforts that expand choices that prepare our students for a bright future and a thriving Georgia.” 

Georgia Speaker of the House Jon Burns further emphasized the role of these approvals, underscoring the impact of charter schools in fostering student achievement.

“The approval of these new charter schools in Muscogee, Cherokee, and Fayette counties reflects our commitment to championing access to quality education for every Georgia student and family. By fostering innovative learning environments, we are providing more students with the chance to thrive and succeed, ensuring a stronger future for our state,” said Speaker Burns.

The SCSC Board of Commissioners approved six charter contracts during the 2023-24 petition cycle. There are 48 operational charter schools authorized by the SCSC, with eight more SCSC charter schools scheduled to open within two years. More information about state-authorized charter schools can be found on the Find a School page of the SCSC website. Information about all Georgia charter schools can be found at FindAGaCharter.org.

Information about Approved Schools:

Dominion Purpose Academy (DPA)

DPA is authorized to serve students in grades K-8 within the Muscogee County School District. The proposed location will be in Muscogee County. DPA will utilize a Design Thinking educational model, encouraging students to become designers of solutions to everyday problems using 21st-century skills. The school’s mission is to cultivate confident thinkers who learn with purpose through relationships, rigor, and relevance. For more information, visit www.dominionpurposeacademy.org.

Cherokee Classical Academy (CCA)

CCA is authorized to serve students in grades K-12 with a defined attendance zone of Atlanta Public Schools, Bartow County, Cartersville City Schools, Cherokee County, Cobb County, Fulton County, Marietta City Schools, Pickens County, and Paulding County districts. The proposed location will be in Cherokee County. CCA will implement a Classical educational model focused on developing students’ minds and character through a curriculum that emphasizes virtuous living, traditional learning, and civic responsibility. For more information, visit https://libertyclassicalschools.org/.

Fayette Classical Academy (FCA)

FCA is authorized to serve students in grades K-12 with a defined attendance zone that includes Atlanta Public Schools, Clayton County, Coweta County, Henry County, Fayette County, and Griffin-Spalding County districts. The proposed location will be in Fayette County. FCA will implement a Classical educational model aimed at developing students’ minds and character through a curriculum that emphasizes virtuous living, traditional learning, and civic responsibility. For more information, visit https://www.fayetteclassical.org/.