The decision comes after the State Charter School Commission (SCSC) staff issued a recommendation to approve the academy’s petition following a thorough review of its FY 25 application and its capacity interview. Today, at the formal SCSC board meeting, that recommendation was adopted—officially authorizing the school to proceed.
The academy will be the first state‑approved, tuition‑free charter public school in northwest Georgia. That accomplishment marks a milestone for local families who have not had access to a public charter option.
With state approval granted today, the academy’s governing board is set to begin a structured planning year. This includes working with SCSC staff to complete a detailed Pre‑Opening Checklist around academics, operations, and financial planning to support an August 2026 opening. The school is intended to provide a tuition‑free, project‑based Expeditionary Learning (EL) model education, adapted in partnership with the successful Pataula Charter Academy model and tailored to the needs of students. Transportation hubs for students will be used rather than door‑to‑door service.
The school will open its doors in fall 2026 with approximately 134 students in grades K–5. By year five, enrollment is expected to reach 321 (K–9), and by year eight, grow to a full K–12 program serving around 539 students. The school will be housed in the Dillard Building on the Georgia School for the Deaf campus.
Former Rome City Schools Superintendent Dr. Dawn Williams, a respected local educator, has been announced as the proposed school leader and will take the helm as the academy begins operations. According to community leaders, the demand for this new public option has already surpassed initial interest goals, with a likely waiting list for enrollment.
A celebration event will be held on Saturday, August 2 at 10 a.m. at the new Historical Society pavilion in downtown Cave Spring. Families, community members, and academy board members will gather to celebrate this historic moment and learn more about the school’s vision and next steps.
