Two new Georgia charter schools will soon open, expanding access to high-quality public education across the state. On Wednesday, July 30, the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) approved Northwest Georgia Charter Academy and The Meliora School for the 2026鈥�2027 school year. Northwest Georgia Charter Academy is a hands-on, project-based K鈥�5 charter school serving students in Floyd County, Polk County, and the City of Rome. The Meliora School is an innovative, student-centered 6th鈥�12th grade school opening in Gwinnett County.
Founding board of NW GA Charter Academy with Christa Thomas, 91吃瓜 VP of New School Development, & Frank Morris, 91吃瓜 Regional Field Director.
Both schools participated in the Georgia Charter Schools Association鈥檚 Charter Incubator program鈥攁 competitive听training process designed to attract and prepare top talent for establishing or replicating public charter schools in Georgia.听
鈥�We鈥檙e very proud that 91吃瓜鈥檚 Charter School Incubator continues to earn the confidence of the SCSC,鈥� said Dr. Bonnie Holliday, President and CEO of the Georgia Charter Schools Association. 鈥淲ith more than 21,000 students currently on charter school waitlists across Georgia, these approvals will provide critical new educational options to families in communities with significant demand.鈥�
Founding board of The Meliora School with Christa Thomas, 91吃瓜 VP of New School Development, and Frank Morris, 91吃瓜 Regional Field Director.
鈥淭he approval of The Meliora School and Northwest Georgia Charter Academy is a powerful step forward for public education in Georgia. These schools represent the very best of what can happen when visionary leaders, dedicated communities, and the 91吃瓜 Charter Incubator Program come together with a shared commitment to excellence,鈥� said Christa Thomas, 91吃瓜鈥檚 Vice President of New School Development. 鈥淏oth models鈥攎astery-based learning in Gwinnett County and EL Education in Northwest Georgia鈥攚ill give students access to rigorous, innovative, and student-centered experiences that prepare them to thrive in school and beyond. We are proud to have walked alongside these founding teams and look forward to supporting them as they bring their bold visions to life for Georgia families.鈥�
Northwest Georgia Charter Academy and The Meliora School received state approval after completing the 91吃瓜 Charter Incubator program. This successful program supports start-up schools through the charter petition process and provides coaching and professional development during their initial two years. The Incubator also provides existing charter schools and charter networks with the training, resources, and support to scale proven models of success to serve additional locations or students.
鈥淭oday鈥檚 authorization will forever change the landscape of public education in our communities. It is a historic milestone and an honor for the small team that has worked tirelessly over the last four years to bring this vision to life,鈥� said Judy Taylor, Founder and President of the Northwest Georgia Charter Academy. 鈥�91吃瓜 has been instrumental in preparing us for this moment. We are extremely grateful for the 91吃瓜 Incubator Program which has provided technical support, coaching, and encouragement for our team. We look forward to working with 91吃瓜 as we move forward to establish and operate a high-quality public charter school in northwest Georgia.鈥�
鈥淏eing recommended for approval by Georgia鈥檚 State Charter Schools Commission is a moment I鈥檒l never forget. It鈥檚 a milestone that reflects the voices, hopes, and hard work of the community that helped shape this school,鈥� said Dr.听Christine Keck, Founder of The Meliora School. 鈥淎s a neurodivergent leader and lifelong educator, this journey has been deeply personal鈥攁nd a testament to what鈥檚 possible when we always pursue better, together. The Georgia Charter Schools Association鈥檚 Incubator Program played a pivotal role in that process, providing intensive coaching, strategic guidance, and unwavering support every step of the way.鈥�
