Eligibility to Start a State Charter School
Eligibile
Georgia law requires that charter schools be 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.
Not Eligible
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.
Start-Up Charter Petition Process
Becoming a State Charter School
Priority Areas
The SCSC is focused on strategic growth in areas of the state without school choice. Petitions for schools located outside Priority Areas may be denied solely due to location to ensure the SCSC can devote sufficient resources to schools in Priority Areas. Learn more about Priority Areas for FY26.