It’s that time of year again. Atlanta Public Schools’ Office of Charter and Partner Schools has officially started its application process for the 2024-2025 school year.
Seven charter schools operating within APS are now accepting applications through one comprehensive process called Apply APS Charter, a collaboration between APS and participating charter schools. Applications opened on Jan. 3 and will close on Feb. 28.
Here are some answers to questions you might have before deciding the best educational option for your child in the next school year.
What’s a charter school?
A charter school is a public school that operates under contract with the local authorizer, in this case APS. Instead of governance from the Atlanta Board of Education, charter schools within APS are governed by their own independent, nonprofit boards that receive oversight from APS and the Georgia Department of Education.
Charter schools also accept enrollment from students across the district and have some flexibility in their curriculum in exchange for specific performance goals.
There are a total of 17 charter schools operating through eight charter organizations: KIPP, Westside Atlanta, Wesley International, The Kindezi Schools, Atlanta Neighborhood, Atlanta Classical, Centennial, and Charles Drew Charter.
Drew Charter School was the first public charter school within the APS network, opening in 2000.
What is a partner school?
Partner schools sound a lot like charter schools, but there’s a difference in how they’re organized.
Partner schools are public neighborhood schools — instead of being created and run by their own boards, they are still overseen by APS — but their day-to-day management has been transferred to a qualified nonprofit organization that is in turn accountable to the Atlanta Board of Education. Their goal is to quickly transform low-performing schools within APS by providing high-quality education.
Partner schools do not accept enrollment from students across the district but are open to any student living within the APS defined attendance zone.
There are currently six partner schools operating through three partner programs: Purpose Built Schools, KIPP, and the Kindezi Schools.
Thomasville Heights Elementary was the first APS school to be transferred to a partner program back in 2016. The school has since been temporarily closed due to enrollment issues following the condemnation of the nearby Forest Cove Apartments.
Which schools are participating in the Apply APS Charter program?
Seven schools are accepting applications through Apply APS Charter. Here are the schools you can apply to before the Feb. 28 deadline:
- Atlanta Classical Academy (K-12)
- Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School (K-8)
- Centennial Academy (K-8)
- The Kindezi Schools – West Lake (K-8)
- The Kindezi Schools – Old Fourth Ward (K-8)
- Wesley International Academy (K-8)
- Westside Atlanta Charter School (K-8)
Why do I need to apply for my child to attend a charter school?
Charter schools accept students through a lottery-selection system. In order to enter into the lottery, you must submit an application before the deadline period of the school you are interested in.
I’m interested, but I don’t know anything about these schools. How can I learn more?
You can utilize the APS School Finder, an interactive tool, to learn more about each school and your other neighborhood options. APS also has a calendar where individual schools list any informational session they plan to have for interested residents.
GeorgiaCAN, a local nonprofit organization, is also hosting the Atlanta School Choice Expo on Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Loudermilk Conference Center downtown. The event is free, with over 40 participating schools across metro Atlanta attending. To attend, you must RSVP on the GeorgiaCan website.
I want to apply, but the school I am interested in isn’t part of the Apply APS Charter application? Can I still apply?
Yes, you can.
Apply APS Charter allows parents to apply to seven charter schools within APS through one single application, but that doesn’t mean you cannot apply to other schools not participating.
If the school you are interested in is not a participating school, you must apply individually and directly through the school’s independent application process.
Do I have to apply online?
No. Apply APS Charter also accepts applications over the phone for interested parents who do not have an email address or need additional technical and language support.
You can call (404) 802-2810.
I don’t live in the APS service area. Can my kid still attend a charter school?
Unfortunately, no. According to APS, charter schools are primarily funded through local tax dollars and in general are open only to students living in the city of Atlanta.
For those living outside the district, only children of employees and board members of a specific charter school are allowed to attend.
