Georgia – The State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia is on the brink of deciding the fate of two charter schools in Cherokee and Fulton counties amid concerns over financial instability and subpar academic achievements. Cherokee Charter Academy and Fulton Leadership Academy, institutions that have been pillars in their respective communities, face potential closure this summer, a decision that has sparked widespread concern and debate.
Cherokee Charter Academy has been operating for more than 10 years
Cherokee Charter Academy, a fixture in Cherokee County for over a decade, and the only charter school in the area, risks losing its charter. Last fall, the school reported an enrollment of more than 600 elementary and middle school students, a testament to its significant role in the local education system.
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Cherokee Charter Academy fails to meet financial standards due to declining enrollment
Despite meeting academic requirements last year for the first time since the 2013-14 academic year, the school has been flagged for not meeting the commission’s financial standards, attributed partly to a decline in enrollment which saw numbers drop to 590 by December, well below the target of 675 students. Additionally, concerns have been raised about frequent turnover within the school’s board, further complicating its operational stability.
Fulton Leadership Academy students fail to meet academic benchmarks
On the other hand, Fulton Leadership Academy, serving nearly 200 middle and high school students as of October, has been under scrutiny for failing to meet academic benchmarks since the 2020-21 school year. The pandemic’s impact was partially to blame, as insufficient high school students were tested to meet the state’s academic measure. Beyond academic struggles, the Fulton school has been grappling with escalating lease costs and a consistent decline in student enrollment, factors that have severely impacted its financial viability and state funding levels.
The principal of Fulton Leadership Academy declined to comment on the situation. However, a spokesperson for Cherokee Charter Academy expressed shock and dismay at the commission’s recommendation for closure, stating the decision was “without legitimate basis” and highlighting the school’s surprise given its positive interactions with the state agency during visits, the AJC reported.
The spokesperson criticized the commission for seemingly holding Cherokee Charter Academy to a different standard than other schools that have been renewed despite not achieving the same level of success, calling the recommendation “perplexing.”
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Looking for a solution, locals raise their voice
As the State Charter Schools Commission prepares to vote on this critical issue, the communities of Cherokee and Fulton counties are rallying in support of their schools, hoping the commissioners will see past the staff recommendations and renew the charters. The outcome of this decision could not only determine the future of hundreds of students and their families but also set a precedent for how charter schools are evaluated and supported in Georgia.