The school will open in 2026, serving grades K-5 and adding one grade level each year until we reach 12th grade. We will have capacity for only 134 students in grades K-5 in the 2026-2027 school year.
We are currently negotiating with the Georgia State Properties Commission to be located in the Dillard Building on the beautiful, gated Georgia School for the Deaf campus in Cave Spring.
NWGA Charter Academy will use the Expeditionary Learning (EL) model, emphasizing hands-on, real-world learning experiences. The model focuses on High-Quality Work, Mastery of Knowledge and Skills, and Character.
Beyond the innovative EL Model, NWGA Charter Academy is committed to embedding the community into its academic programs and fostering a strong sense of civic responsibility and practical skills. Innovative programs such as K-12 financial literacy and high school entrepreneurship pathways will prepare students for success in college and beyond.
Transportation routes will be confirmed after enrollment has closed for the 2026-2027 school year.
The school plans to participate in the National School Breakfast and Lunch programs and to offer delicious, nutritious meals to fuel the brain.
Enrollment applications will be available on our website beginning September 1, 2025 (for the 2026-2027 school year). Enrollment will be open for two months – from September 1 through October 31, 2025. If enrollment applications exceed our capacity of 134 students, enrollment will be determined through a lottery. Prior to September 1, we strongly encourage interested families to complete our Parent Interest Form (on our website) to stay informed about enrollment, deadlines, school progress and engagement opportunities.
The founding team invites community members to get involved by (1) participating in surveys, (2) joining committees to support the school’s development, and (3) completing a Community Interest Form to be added to communication distribution lists, and to participate and volunteer at events.
A charter school is required to conduct a lottery when there are more applicants then there are seats available in the school. The school must conduct the lottery through random selection. Schools have to make the results of the lottery public.
Yes. charter schools are required to accept students with special needs. According to the Georgia Department of Education, they must comply with IDEA and Section 504.
Charter schools are tuition-free, public and open to all students. As autonomous public schools, charters agree to greater accountability in exchange for increased flexibility. Public charter schools offer greater personal attention and give students from all backgrounds the opportunity to attend a school that works best for them. A nonprofit volunteer board of directors oversees all Georgia charter schools.
The “charter” establishing each school is a contract detailing the school’s mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment and ways to measure success. Charter schools can be closed if they do not fulfill the high standards established in their contracts with a charter school authorizer.
We plan to open with K-5 in Year 1 (fall 2026-spring 2027) and add grades 6, 7, 8 and 9 over the next four years. Our ability to add these grades (and eventually high school grades) will depend on several factors, including our students’ performance on standardized tests (compared to the districts in the attendance zone).
In the charter contract, an attendance zone establishes who is eligible to attend. NWGA Charter Academy will serve students who live in the Floyd County, Polk County, and Rome City school districts. If applications exceed available seats, a random lottery will determine enrollment.
NW GA Charter Academy will receive state and federal funding, along with a supplemental state grant. Fundraisers will be held throughout the year.
Charter schools are accountable to their authorizers. NW GA Charter Academy was authorized by the SCSC of Georgia on July 30, 2025. The academy will be accountable to the SCSC of Georgia and will be required to follow all federal laws and some state laws that cannot be waived. NW GA Charter Academy must meet specific academic, operational, and financial performance goals outlined in their charter contract. Academically, the academy must meet or exceed local or state achievement and growth standards. Operationally, the academy must comply with safety, open governance, and other requirements. Financially, the academy must be sustainable and provide stewardship of public funds and will be required to conduct an annual independent audit.
Hands-on, project-based learning that connects students to real-world opportunities and service in the community
