Senior Recognition Week 2026: Meet Outstanding Georgia Charter School Graduates
As the 2025鈥�2026 school year comes to a close, the Georgia Charter Schools Association is proud to continue our tradition of celebrating exceptional seniors from public charter schools across the state.听Each year, 91吃瓜 invites school leaders, teachers, and members of the charter school community to nominate graduating seniors who have demonstrated academic achievement, leadership, service, perseverance, and a commitment to their future.
This year鈥檚 honorees represent the many ways Georgia鈥檚 public charter schools help students discover their strengths, pursue ambitious goals, and prepare for life after graduation.
From future college students and valedictorians to student-athletes, club leaders, writers, volunteers, and community-minded scholars, these seniors reflect the promise of Georgia鈥檚 charter school Class of 2026.
Meet the students 91吃瓜 is proud to recognize this year!
Lily Padanilam
Atlanta Classical Academy
Lily Padanilam is an intellectually curious student who leads with quiet confidence, creativity, and initiative. She is known for her dedication to learning, her love of literature and poetry, and her ability to pursue her interests with focus and independence.
Outside the classroom, Lily practices fencing four days a week while remaining active in school clubs. She also founded Atlanta Classical Academy鈥檚 Culture Club, creating opportunities for students to learn about and celebrate cultures through food and events.
Lily will study classics at Cornell University. Her charter school experience challenged her through great texts while giving her the flexibility to pursue Spanish and Latin throughout high school.
Tyler B. Hayes
Baconton Community Charter School
Tyler B. Hayes is the valedictorian of Baconton Community Charter School鈥檚 Class of 2026. He is being recognized for his academic excellence, leadership, strong character, and positive example.
Tyler is described as respectful, intelligent, hardworking, and committed to giving his best effort in everything he does. Through his integrity, work ethic, and involvement in athletics, he has served as a role model for both his peers and younger students.
After graduation, Tyler plans to attend the University of Georgia, where he will major in business and minor in marketing. His charter school experience exposed him to rigorous academics, a diverse student population, athletics, and valuable life lessons.
Talisa Loud
Georgia Cyber Academy
Talisa Loud is the valedictorian of Georgia Cyber Academy鈥檚 Class of 2026 and a high-achieving student who made the most of the opportunities available to her. During high school, she successfully completed 38 college courses through dual enrollment.
Talisa also served as FBLA president for the 2025鈥�2026 school year, participated in Middle Georgia State University鈥檚 Emerging Leaders/Leadership Academy, and holds the title of Miss Albany Teen 2026.
After graduation, Talisa plans to attend a four-year university and study information technology. Georgia Cyber Academy鈥檚 online model gave her the flexibility to pursue dual enrollment at Albany Technical College and Middle Georgia State University while working toward her many goals.
Alyse King
Atlanta Classical Academy
Alyse King is being recognized for her confidence, intelligence, purpose, and excellence across many areas of school life. She has distinguished herself as a student, volleyball player, pianist, debater, and writer.
At Atlanta Classical Academy, Alyse found confidence through major writing projects, including the school鈥檚 Western Civilization paper and senior thesis. She also won her grade level in the Laws of Life essay competition, writing about Aesop鈥檚 advice: 鈥淣o act of kindness, no matter how small, is wasted.鈥�
Alyse plans to study psychology at Spelman College. Her school community helped her grow as a thinker and writer while developing the confidence to take on challenging academic work.
Kayden Collins
Pataula Charter Academy
Kayden Collins is being recognized for the respect, determination, and strong work ethic they bring to her school community. Described as hardworking and determined, Kayden represents the qualities educators hope to see in their students.
鈥淚 honestly never imagined earning such an accomplishment, but to me being valedictorian means more to me than just having the highest GPA. It represents years of hard work, discipline, and perseverance. It鈥檚 an honor to represent my class, and I鈥檓 proud of the growth and dedication that got me here,鈥� .听
After graduation, Kayden plans to attend University of Georgia. Her experience at Pataula Charter Academy helped push them to work harder, achieve more, and prepare for the next step in their journey.
Michael Siggers
Statesboro STEAM Academy
Michael Siggers is being recognized for his perseverance, growth, and historic academic achievement. After facing social and behavioral challenges earlier in his education, Michael came to Statesboro STEAM Academy at the end of fifth grade and began to thrive.
Through hard work, strong relationships, and a supportive school environment, Michael became the school鈥檚 first Black male valedictorian.
Michael plans to attend Georgia Southern University after graduation. His journey reflects the powerful impact that the right school environment can have on a student鈥檚 confidence, growth, and future success.
Matison 鈥淢attie鈥� Shiver
Baconton Community Charter School
Matison 鈥淢attie鈥� Shiver is the salutatorian of Baconton Community Charter School鈥檚 Class of 2026. She is being recognized as a dedicated scholar, accomplished athlete, young woman of faith, and positive role model for her peers and younger students.
Mattie鈥檚 charter school experience helped her build meaningful relationships in a close-knit, family-oriented environment. She also helped establish Baconton Community Charter School鈥檚 first Girls Varsity Soccer team and the SERVE Georgia program.
Mattie plans to attend the University of Georgia and major in exercise and sports science, with hopes of pursuing a career in pediatric orthopedics.
Henry Holley
Pataula Charter Academy
Henry Holley is an honor graduate whose accomplishments span academics, athletics, leadership, and service. He participated in dual enrollment through Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College while also staying active in baseball, football, FFA, FCA, Beta Club, and school ambassador work.
Henry has also served his community through hurricane relief efforts, food drives, Operation Christmas Child, Veterans Day programming, school tours, Field Day, Fall Festival, and Grandparents鈥� Day. On the baseball field, he earned multiple honors, including All-Region recognition, Defensive Player of the Year, and the Coaches Award.
Henry plans to attend Georgia Southern University and major in finance. His time at Pataula Charter Academy helped shape his discipline, responsibility, and work ethic through a school culture rooted in high expectations.
91吃瓜 congratulates each of these outstanding seniors and celebrates the families, educators, and school communities that helped support them along the way. Their stories are a reminder of the promise of Georgia鈥檚 public charter schools and the bright futures being built in classrooms across the state.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026!
National Charter Schools Week Showcases How Georgia Charter Schools Prepare Tomorrow鈥檚 Workforce
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2026
ATLANTA鈥擳he Georgia Charter Schools Association is proud to celebrate听National Charter Schools Week听(NCSW), May 10鈥�16, 2026. This year鈥檚 theme highlights how charter schools prepare the workforce of tomorrow by equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and real-world experiences they need to thrive in college, careers, and life. Public, free, and open to all, charter schools in Georgia and across the country are helping students explore career pathways and graduate ready for what鈥檚 next.
Public charter schools are an important part of the public education landscape, serving more than 64,000 students in Georgia and nearly four million learners nationwide.
鈥淕eorgia鈥檚 public charter schools are creating opportunities for students to discover their strengths, explore future careers, and graduate with a strong foundation for the future,鈥� said Bonnie Holliday, President and CEO of the Georgia Charter Schools Association. 鈥淭hrough healthcare-focused programs, hands-on agricultural learning, and STEM and career-connected learning, charter schools are preparing students for in-demand careers and helping strengthen Georgia鈥檚 future workforce.鈥�
Throughout Georgia, charter schools are bringing this vision to life through innovative programs and strong partnerships with local industries. Schools such as Academy for Innovation in Medicine, Chattahoochee Hills Charter School, Resurgence Hall Charter School, Amana Academy North Fulton, and Utopian Academy for the Arts are preparing students for meaningful contributions to Georgia鈥檚 economy.
Healthcare Pathways: Academy for Innovation in Medicine (AIM)
Georgia will soon welcome its first healthcare-focused STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine) public charter school to help address the state鈥檚 critical health care workforce shortage. The school will open in fall 2026 with students in grades 6 and 9 and will eventually expand to serve grades 6鈥�12. AIM will partner with Grady Health System to deliver a curriculum that blends rigorous academics, dual-enrollment college credits, and hands-on work-based learning. Students will graduate not only with a high school diploma but also with industry-recognized credentials, an associate degree, and the ability to immediately enter the workforce with earning potential of $40,000 or more. They will also be well-positioned to pursue advanced healthcare degrees while saving thousands on college tuition.听
Agriculture & Sustainability: Chattahoochee Hills Charter School
Located on 11 acres in South Fulton, Chattahoochee Hills Charter School is preparing students for careers in Georgia鈥檚 largest industry鈥攁griculture. Students engage in hands-on learning through a working farm with animals and environmental studies integrated into daily instruction. As the state faces a growing shortage of farmers, this model is helping cultivate the next generation of agricultural leaders.
STEM & Innovation: Resurgence Hall Charter School
Resurgence Hall begins computer science instruction in kindergarten, equipping students early with skills in coding, logical reasoning, and problem-solving. Combined with a strong focus on literacy, students are not just learning how to use technology, they are learning how to create it, preparing them for careers in an increasingly digital world.听
Future Tech Leaders: Amana Academy North Fulton
Amana Academy empowers students to solve real-world problems through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Located in North Fulton, the home to hundreds of tech companies, students benefit from direct connections to Georgia鈥檚 innovation economy. Through programs like Fiserv鈥檚 FIN Future Techies, students explore careers in financial technology, building early pathways into one of the state鈥檚 fastest-growing industries.
Georgia charter schools serve more than 70 percent of students of color statewide. Data from the Georgia Department of Education shows that students attending charter high schools are more likely to graduate. In 2025, Georgia鈥檚 charter high schools achieved a 90.3% graduation rate, compared to the statewide average of 87.2%.
听show that Black students in charter schools gain an additional 35 days of learning in reading and 29 days of learning in math, while Hispanic students attending charter schools see an additional 30 days of growth in reading and 19 more days in math.
In Georgia, families choose charter schools because these schools deliver听strong graduation rates,听solid academic outcomes in听听and听, and personalized learning that meets individual student needs.
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About Georgia Charter Schools Association
The Georgia鈥� Charter鈥疭chools Association is a nonprofit membership organization for 鈥疓eorgia鈥檚 public鈥痗harter schools and petitioners. Our mission is to鈥痵upport, foster and advocate for the development of high-quality public charter schools and networks that improve opportunities for Georgia students. We believe every child in Georgia should have equal access to a quality and transformative public education.
Four Georgia School Leaders Selected for LeveragED LaunchPad Leadership Program
The Georgia Charter Schools Association (91吃瓜) congratulates the following school leaders who were selected to participate in Cohort Two of the LeveragED LaunchPad Leadership Development Program:
The LeveragED LaunchPad Leadership Development Program, developed in partnership with 91吃瓜, is designed for principals and executive leaders committed to building exceptional, sustainable schools. The program strengthens leadership across seven core competencies, including performance management, instructional leadership, strategic clarity, systems management, and systems-level problem solving. Cohort members will participate in workshops, office hours, virtual coaching sessions, and personalized site visits. In addition to 91吃瓜, partner organizations include the Florida Charter Institute, the National Charter School Institute, the Northeast Charter Schools Network, Opportunity 180, and the Utah State Charter School Board. In September, all 27 participants selected for Cohort Two will attend an in-person convening that will include a site visit to Ethos Classical Charter School.听 The LeveragED LaunchPad Leadership Development Program concluded on Thursday, May 7. 91吃瓜 congratulates the three Georgia school leaders who completed the program: 鈥� Amy Harris, Principal of Amana Academy North Fulton 91吃瓜 celebrates both cohorts for their commitment to strengthening leadership and advancing high-quality educational opportunities for students across Georgia. |
91吃瓜 Congratulates 2026 AP Honor Schools
The听Georgia听Charter听Schools听Association congratulates the ten charter schools recognized on the 2026 Georgia听Department of Education鈥檚 Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools : Academy for Classical Education, Atlanta Classical Academy, Charles R. Drew Charter School, Georgia Connections Academy, Georgia Cyber Academy, Hapeville Charter School, KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, Lake Oconee Academy, Savannah Classical Academy, and Walton High School.听
Schools听received this honor based on their 2025听AP听courses and exam results.听Below, you鈥檒l find the list of Georgia charter schools that earned this recognition, along with the Georgia Department of Education鈥檚 criteria for each category.听
Schools with at least 30% of听AP听exams听taken by students who identified as African American and/or Hispanic (minimum of 16 students) and 30% of all听AP听exams听earning scores of 3 or higher. At least 25 exams听must be administered.听
Charles R. Drew Charter School
Georgia Connections Academy
Georgia Cyber Academy
KIPP Atlanta Collegiate High School
Savannah Classical Academy
Schools with enrollments of 900 or fewer students听and exams administered in English, math, science, and social studies, with a minimum of 25 total exams听administered.
Atlanta Classical Academy Charter School
Hapeville Charter School
Kipp Atlanta Collegiate High School
Lake Oconee Academy
Schools with 25% growth in听AP听student participation听from May 2023 to May 2024听and a minimum of 25 students testing in May 2023.
Georgia Connections Academy
Georgia Cyber Academy
Schools with at least five exams administered听in each of the following听AP听categories: one ELA course, two social studies courses, one fine arts course, and one world language course, and a minimum of 25 total exams听administered.听
Charles R. Drew Charter School
Walton High School
AP听Humanities schools with at least 50% of all听AP听Humanities exams听earning scores of 3 or higher.听
Charles R. Drew Charter School
Walton High School
Schools with at least 20% of the total student population听taking听AP听exams and at least 50% of all听AP听exams听earning scores of 3 or higher.
Lake Oconee Academy
Savannah Classical Academy
Walton High School
Schools with a minimum of five students testing in at least four AP STEM courses (including AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C, AP Computer Science A, and AP Computer Science Principles), and a minimum of 25 exams administered.
Academy for Classical Education
Atlanta Classical Academy Charter School
Charles R. Drew Charter School
Georgia Connections Academy
Kipp Atlanta Collegiate High School
Lake Oconee Academy
Walton High School
AP听STEM schools with at least 50% of all听AP听STEM exams听earning scores of 3 or higher.
Academy for Classical Education
Atlanta Classical Academy Charter School
Lake Oconee Academy
Walton High School
Free Technology Lab Webinar:听Cut IT Costs Without Cutting Corners: In-House vs. Managed IT
Managing school technology in-house comes with hidden costs that quietly drain your budget, from redundant vendor contracts and unexpected repair bills to the overhead of full-time IT staff. In this webinar, we’ll break down exactly where those dollars are going and show you a smarter alternative. You’ll walk away with a clear, side-by-side financial picture of what in-house IT actually costs versus a fully managed solution – and how schools are saving tens of thousands of dollars and improving IT posture.听.听
