Awards
2023 Conference Awards
Coming Soon! Make sure to nominate your school or a deserving teacher or leader for a 2023 Georgia Charter School Award. Learn more below:
Charter School of the Year: Innovation Award
GCSA member schools can apply to win the “Innovation Award.” This award is designed to recognize schools that achieve measurable student growth through the use of innovative practices.
Charter School of the Year: Academic Excellence
This prestigious award honors academic excellence in education throughout the charter sector. GCSA has invited eligible schools to apply.
Charter School Teacher & Leader of the Year Awards
GCSA annually recognizes an outstanding charter school leader and teacher of the year. Help an educator or school leader get the recognition they deserve by nominating them for the Shoot for the Moon Award (Leader of the Year) or the Reach for the Stars Award (Teacher of the Year).
Past Award Recipients
2019 Award Winners
Charter Schools of the Year: The Museum School of Avondale Estates and Leadership Preparatory Academy
Shoot for the Moon: Peter McKnight, Charles R. Drew Charter School Senior Academy
Reach for the Stars: Jasmine Dennard, Charles R. Drew Charter School Elementary Academy
2018 Award Winners
Charter School of the Year: DeKalb PATH Academy
Shoot for the Moon: Katherine Kelbaugh, The Museum School of Avondale Estates
Reach for the Stars: Breana Wofford, KIPP STRIVE Primary
2017 Award Winners
Charter School of the Year: KIPP WAYS Academy
Shoot for the Moon: Lynn Pinson, Baconton Community Charter School
Reach for the Stars: Keith Jackson, Centennial Academy
2016 Award Winners
Charter School of the Year: KIPP STRIVE Academy
Shoot for the Moon: Jondre’ Pryor, KIPP South Fulton Academy
Reach for the Stars: Donna Faircloth, Baconton Community Charter School
2015 Award Winners
Charter School of the Year: Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School
Shoot for the Moon: Lisa McDonald, Brighten Academy
Reach for the Stars: Brandom Jones, KIPP South Fulton Academy
2014 Award Winners
Charter School of the Year: Brighten Academy
Power to the Parents: Arle Wilson-Dixon, Fulton Leadership Academy
2013 Award Winners
Shoot for the Moon: Suttiwan Cox, Dekalb PATH Academy
Reach for the Stars: Charley Walper, Kennesaw Charter Science & Math Academy
2012 Award Winners
Charter School of the Year: Charles Drew Charter School
Shoot for the Moon: David Jernigan, KIPP Metro Atlanta and Founder of KIPP WAYS Academy
Reach for the Stars: Chi Wu, Dekalb PATH Academy
Power to the Parents: Kelly Marlow, Cherokee Charter Academy
2011 Award Winners
Charter School of the Year: Amana Academy
Shoot for the Moon: Dr. Kathy Harwood, Charter Conservatory for Liberal Arts & Technology
Reach for the Stars: Terrilyn Ali, Charles R. Drew Charter School
Power to the Parents: Marney Mayo, International Community School
2010 Award Winners
Shoot for the Moon: Martha Nesbit, Oglethorpe Charter School
Reach for the Stars: Dana Pace, Brighten Academy
2009 Award Winner
Shoot for the Moon: Dr. Gary Martin, Hapeville Charter Schools
2008 Award Winner
Shoot for the Moon: Bill Moon, International Community School