SCSC Board Votes to Renew 14 State Charter Schools

On February 26, 2025, the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) Board of Commissioners (Board) voted to renew charter contracts for 14 state charter schools. These schools were recommended for renewal following a rigorous evaluation of each school’s academic, financial, and organizational performance over the charter term, as measured by the SCSC Comprehensive Performance Framework. 

Standard Five-Year Renewals

• Academy for Classical Education
• Baconton Community Charter School
• Delta STEAM Academy
• DuBois Integrity Academy

• Ethos Classical Charter School
• Furlow Charter School
• Georgia School for Innovation and the Classics
• International Charter School of Atlanta

• Southwest Georgia STEM
• Spring Creek Charter School
• Yi Hwang Academy of Language Excellence

Conditional Five-Year Renewals



•  Atlanta Unbound Academy
•  Odyssey Charter School

Three-Year Renewal

• Georgia Fugees Academy Charter School

These renewal decisions reflect the SCSC Board’s commitment to ensuring that state charter schools provide students with high-quality educational opportunities. More details on the renewal process are available on the SCSC Charter Renewal page. 

SCSC Board Welcomes Commissioner Scott Sweeney

The SCSC Board is pleased to welcome Scott Sweeney as its newest commissioner, serving a four-year term. Commissioner Sweeney, nominated by Governor Brian Kemp, was appointed to the SCSC Board by the State Board of Education on February 21, 2025. He brings extensive experience in education policy, business strategy, and leadership. He previously served on the Georgia State Board of Education (2019-2025), including a term as Chairman, and as an elected member of the Cobb County Board of Education for eight years.

Beyond education governance, Commissioner Sweeney has served numerous nonprofit, statewide, and national boards and held leadership roles in commercial real estate, hospitality, and business development firms. He is currently the Senior Business Advisor for InPrime Legal, a Georgia-based law firm.

Ivy Preparatory Academy “Spice Girls”

Win 2025 Middle School Student Chef Competition

Ivy Preparatory Academy’s (Ivy Prep) “Spice Girls” team has won the 2025 Georgia Department of Education’s (GaDOE) Middle School Student Chef Competition with their recipe, Sunrise Stuffed Peppers. 

The students worked closely with Ivy Prep staff, including the school’s nutrition coordinator, to refine their kitchen techniques and ensure compliance with safety and food preparation standards. Their goal was to develop a dish that is both nutritious and delicious. 

Their Sunrise Stuffed Peppers featured ingredients like quinoa, turkey sausage, spinach, onions, and shredded mozzarella. GaDOE culinary specialist took their concept and transformed it into an Unstuffed Breakfast Pepper recipe that will be scaled to serve hundreds of students as part of the school breakfast program. 

Read the full announcement on the GaDOE School Nutrition Program Facebook page.

State Charter Schools Recognized as 2025 AP Honor Schools

Three state charter schools have been recognized as 2025 AP Honor Schools by the Georgia Department of Education. This recognition highlights schools that provide students with access to rigorous Advanced Placement (AP) coursework, helping them gain college-level learning opportunities and potential college credit.

State Charter Schools Honored:

• AP Access & Support Schools: Georgia Connections Academy, Georgia Cyber Academy
• AP STEM School: Academy for Classical Education, Georgia Connections Academy
• AP STEM Achievement School: Academy for Classical Education

These state charter schools have demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding access to advanced coursework and preparing students for future academic and career success.

For more details on AP School Designations and to view the full list of AP Honor Schools, visit the GaDOE website.

SCSC Staff Presentations at the GCSA Conference

The 2025 Georgia Charter Schools Association Conference, the largest statewide gathering of Georgia’s charter community, will take place from March 10-12, 2025. This event provides charter school leaders, educators, and advocates with opportunities to gain valuable insights, network with industry experts, and learn best practices in school governance, finance, and operations.

SCSC staff members will present key sessions to help charter schools navigate policy changes, optimize funding opportunities, and strengthen school engagement efforts.

Allen Mueller, Senior Director of the Office of Charter School Compliance

The New Office of Charter School Compliance

Mar 11, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Learn about critical changes resulting from the implementation of House Bill 318 in 2024, including the transition of services and supports from the Georgia Department of Education to the Office of Charter School Compliance.

Carmen Freemire, Senior Director of Finance

Charter School Funding Formulas

Mar 11, 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM

Gain a comprehensive understanding of how state and federal funding formulas impact charter school operations.

Erica Acha-Morfaw, Communications Specialist & Michele Neely, Senior Director of School Support and Outreach

Communications Best Practices for School Communities, Part I

Mar 12, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Explore proven strategies for fostering clear, inclusive, and effective communication within and beyond the school community.

Communications Best Practices for School Communities, Part II

Mar 12, 11:05 AM – 12:05 PM

This hands-on session will guide participants through a self-audit of their school’s website, focusing on accessibility, transparency, and stakeholder engagement.

scsc.georgia.gov

FindAGaCharter.org

The State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) is a state-level, independent charter school authorizing entity. The SCSC has the power to approve or deny petitions for state charter schools and renew, nonrenew, or terminate state charter school contracts in accordance with Georgia law.

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