Awards

2026 Annual Georgia Charter School Awards

Leading with Resilience: Building Georgia Charter Schools That Endure

At GCSA, we are committed to collaborating with our member schools to maximize the impact of Georgia’s charter school sector and celebrate the incredible contributions of charter school teachers and leaders statewide.

Each year, GCSA recognizes exceptional achievements and best practices through awards that honor the dedication, innovation, and resilience of our educators and schools. These awards shine a spotlight on charter schools that are transforming student outcomes, strengthening communities, and modeling excellence across Georgia.

School Awards

Charter School of the Year Award

The Charter School of the Year Award honors a GCSA member school that demonstrates exceptional academic outcomes, a strong instructional model, and transformative impact for students and families.

This award recognizes schools that deliver outstanding results through innovative programming, mission-driven leadership, and a commitment to student success. Charter School of the Year finalists represent the very best of Georgia’s charter school sector and serve as a model for excellence statewide.

Charter School of the Year Award Nomination Form

Moving Mountains: Closing Gaps Award

The Moving Mountains: Closing Gaps Award celebrates a charter school that has made significant progress in improving student outcomes and closing achievement gaps.

This award honors schools that are moving students forward through intentional growth strategies, accountability-driven systems, and a relentless focus on student-driven success. It recognizes schools demonstrating measurable improvement and momentum—proving that progress is powerful.

Moving Mountains: Closing Gap Award Nomination Form

SOAR Award

The SOAR Award recognizes an emerging charter school that has shown exceptional promise, performance, and innovation within its first five years of operation.

This award honors schools that are already SOARing, establishing strong foundations, early academic success, and a clear trajectory toward long-term excellence. Finalists may also include schools that are setting a high standard for impact and growth.

SOAR Award Nomination Form

Nominate a World-Class Leader and / or Teacher from Georgia Charter Schools

Individual Awards 

The Charter School Leader of the Year Award recognizes high-performing educational leaders who leverage their vision and leadership to cultivate a thriving school culture and drive academic success.

Charter School Leader of the Year Award Nomination Form

The Charter School Teacher of the Year Award celebrates dynamic and dedicated educators who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to their students, families, and communities. 

Charter School Teacher of the Year Award Nomination Form

Award FAQs

Who is eligible for a GCSA Annual Award?

GCSA Annual Awards are open to GCSA member schools, as well as eligible school leaders and teachers within member schools.

Please note: Previous GCSA Award winners are not eligible for nomination in the same category for the year immediately following their award.

Who can nominate a school for an award?

School Awards (Charter School of the Year, Moving Mountains: Closing Gaps Award, Rookie of the Year Award)

• Nominations may be submitted by individuals within any GCSA member school, including:

  • School leaders

  • School staff

  • Teachers

  • Charter governing board members

Charter School Teacher of the Year Award

• Any school leader may nominate an eligible teacher.

Charter School Leader of the Year Award

• Any teacher or charter governing board member may nominate an eligible school leader.

How are winners selected?

School Awards

(Charter School of the Year, Moving Mountains: Closing Gaps Award, Rookie of the Year Award)

Once nominations are submitted, an internal selection committee made up of GCSA staff members will review all submissions and identify finalists.

Finalists will be evaluated and selected by a selection committee comprised of external stakeholders using a standardized scoring rubric aligned to the award criteria, including academic outcomes, innovation, progress, and community impact. Committee members will review each nomination and assign scores based on the rubric to determine award recipients.

Individual Awards

(Charter School Teacher of the Year & Charter School Leader of the Year)

Once nominations are submitted, a selection committee comprised of external stakeholders will assess candidates and identify award winners in these categories.

When does the award process begin?

GCSA will accept nominations for all award categories during the following window:

• Nominations Open: Thursday, January 28, 2026

• Nominations Close: Thursday, February 19, 2026

Winners will be announced at the 2026 GCSA Conference.

What is required of School Winners and Finalists?

We ask all schools selected as finalists for the Charter School of the Year, Moving Mountains: Closing Gaps Award, and Rookie of the Year Award to attend the GCSA Conference Awards Luncheon.

Finalist schools should be prepared to share a short inspirational message during the luncheon, highlighting their impact, lessons learned, and encouragement for charter schools across Georgia.

We also request that the Teacher of the Year and Leader of the Year award recipients attend the Awards Luncheon for recognition.

Past Award Recipients