Awards
2019 Annual Georgia Charter School Awards
The 2019 Annual Georgia Charter School Awards have been established to honor excellence and innovation within education throughout the charter sector.
To qualify for these awards and accompanying grants, the applicants must meet the following criteria:
1. Be an active and participating GCSA member;
2. Demonstrate academic excellence as measured by all metrics on your performance framework (State) or comparative CCRPI scores of the past 3 years (Local); Minimum score of 80 on latest CCRPI score to qualify.
4. Operational for five or more years;
5. Demonstrate operational sustainability and sound fiscal practices as evidenced by unqualified annual audits;
6. Demonstrate autonomous governance through the use of waivers as well as authority over academic, financial, and personnel decisions;
7. Be accredited or in the process of being accredited by either SACS-CASI or GACS;
8. If selected the winner, agree to present at the 2020 conference on how you used the grant and best practices and submit a final grant report within 60 days of completing the project.
2. Demonstrate evidence of measurable growth in 3 consecutive years of CCRPI ratings or another nationally-normed measure, using innovative school improvement methods.
3. Serve students in Georgia;
4. Operational for five or more years;
5. Demonstrate operational sustainability and sound fiscal practices as evidenced by unqualified annual audits;
6. Demonstrate autonomous governance through the use of waivers as well as authority over academic, financial, and personnel decisions;
7. Be accredited or in the process of being accredited by either SACS-CASI or GACS;
8. If selected the winner, agree to present at the 2020 conference on how you used the grant and best practices and submit a final grant report within 60 days of completing the project.
Our application process is demanding and time consuming, so schools should be certain they meet our criteria before completing this proposal and submitting the required documents. Please contact the Director of Resource Development, Dana McNally, at dmcnally@gacharters.org regarding eligibility or questions related to the award.
**Previous winners must wait seven years to reapply
If you have questions about these awards and eligibility please email the Director of Resource Development, Dana McNally.
Nominate a World-Class Leader and / or Teacher from Georgia Charter Schools
Each year the Georgia Charter Schools Association recognizes a charter school leader and teacher of the year. These award winners continually go above and beyond the call of duty! Please take a few minutes to think about each of the questions on the below surveys and how your nominee approaches these standards.
Nominations will not be accepted after November 12, 2018.
Select from the links below to submit a nomination:
- Shoot for the Moon Award Nominations (Leader of the Year)
- Reach for the Stars Award Nominations (Teacher of the Year)
Past Award Recipients
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