The Savannah-Chatham County Board of Public Education currently authorizes five charter schools operating within the district. These schools are held accountable by the Board to meet the academic, financial, and operational performance goals outlined in their charter contracts. 

Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that must maintain open and equitable enrollment processes, remain nonsectarian, and serve all students, including those with disabilities and English language learners. Each charter school is governed by an independent, nonprofit board of directors and operates with autonomy to implement innovative educational programs while being held to rigorous standards of accountability and transparency. 

Current SCCPSS-Authorized Charter Schools (as of October 2025)
Charter School	Charter Term
Oglethorpe Charter School	July 2025 – June 2030
Savannah Classical Academy	July 2019 – June 2027
Susie King Taylor Community School	July 2024 – June 2029
Tybee Island Maritime Academy	July 2025 – June 2030
Coastal Empire Montessori Charter School	July 2026 – June 2028

Is there an admissions process for charter schools? 

Yes. Charter schools are public schools and therefore must maintain a fair and open admissions process that does not discriminate against or screen students based on academic ability, disability, or background. The typical admissions process includes the following steps: 

1. Application Submission – Families complete an application that generally includes basic contact information, proof of residency, and the student’s intended grade level. 

• Applications must not request or require information such as prior academic records, test scores, recommendations, individualized education programs (IEPs), language spoken at home, race, gender, or other personal identifiers that could be used to screen applicants. 

2. Enrollment Preferences – Once the application period closes, state-approved enrollment preferences (as defined in the school’s charter contract) may be applied. These often include preferences for students residing within the school’s attendance zone, siblings of current students, or children of staff members, as permitted by law. 

3. Lottery Process – If the number of applicants exceeds the number of available seats, the charter school must conduct a public, random lottery to determine admission. The lottery process must be transparent, accessible, and open to public observation. 

4. Student Registration – Students who are admitted through the lottery or preference process then complete registration forms consistent with the requirements for all public schools. These forms may request information excluded from the initial application (e.g., health, emergency contact, or special services information). 

• For additional details, see State Board of Education Rule 160-5-1-.28, Student Enrollment and Withdrawal. 

Do charter schools have attendance areas? 

Yes. Each charter school defines its attendance area in its charter contract, which outlines the geographic area from which it will primarily draw students. 

• Charter schools must first offer enrollment to students who reside within their defined attendance area. 

• If seats remain available after serving students within that area, the school may offer enrollment to students residing anywhere within the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System. 

Additional Resources  

For more information about charter schools in Georgia, visit: 

• Georgia Department of Education – Charter Schools Division 

• State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) 

• Georgia Charter Schools Association (GCSA) 

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