The announcement was made today at the 10th Anniversary Georgia Charter Schools Association (GCSA) Charter Schools Conference, being held in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center. Hundreds of charter school teachers, school leaders, board members, school district administrators, lawmakers and charter school supporters are attending the event which runs through Friday, October 5.

As the winning school, Drew Charter School will receive a $50,000 grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation. The award was established to honor excellence in education throughout the public charter sector in Georgia. This is the second year of this partnership initiative between The Coca-Cola Foundation and the Georgia Charter Schools Association.

Drew Charter School was selected from a field of twelve public charter schools across the state of Georgia. The three finalists included Brighten Academy in Douglasville, GA; KIPP South Fulton Academy in Fulton County; and International Community School in DeKalb County.

The primary criteria for the winner included being in existence for at least five years and demonstrating academic excellence as measured by standardized achievement tests and operational sustainability and sound fiscal practices.

Georgia Charter Schools Association
October 4, 2012