This document discusses how a county school in Georgia became a charter school in order to improve outcomes for students. In 1998, when the school was a traditional county school, it had 156 students, limited technology, no extracurricular activities, and a high dropout rate of 58%. After becoming a charter school, it grew to 285 students, added programs and staff, upgraded its facilities with internet access, and saw improvements like a reduced dropout rate of 11%. The school has thrived since becoming a charter school rather than closing down like initially expected.

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The Journey HomeThe Journey Home
Bringing Our County School BackBringing Our County School Back
by Becoming a Charterby Becoming a Charter

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Alien Song
QuickTime™ and a
MPEG-4 Video decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

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This is what was expectedThis is what was expected
to happen to our charterto happen to our charter
school.school.
Unlike our little alien friend we haveUnlike our little alien friend we have
not only survived, we have thrived.not only survived, we have thrived.

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1 PK – grade 6 school with 156 students
12 teachers, 6 paraprofessionals, 1 technology
specialist with limited technology
 7 bus drivers, 3 office personnel, 2 food service
workers, 1 1/2 custodians, and 1 Administrator
In 1998:

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In 1998:
1956 facility with no classrooms wired for
internet access
No extra-curricular programs
No PTA or co-sponsored community activities

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In 1998:
 The total school budget was $2,128,040.00.
 $195,650.33 was budgeted to pay Greene
County for 65 middle and high school students.
 5 students graduated from Greene-Taliaferro
Comprehensive High School, indicating a 58%
drop-out rate.

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School Entrance

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Front Hallway

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Classroom

10. 10Classroom

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Classroom Additions

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Gym

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STEPS TO CHARTER
• Write Charter Planning Grant
• Research state law, positives, and negatives
• Weigh positives and negatives
• Visit charter schools
• Involve community
a. meetings with informative speakers
b. surveys for middle and high school
interests

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Planning School
• Establish goals, assessments, benchmarks, and
timeline
• Design curriculum and staffing needs
a. assess student needs for academics
b. assess high interest areas of career,
technology field.
• Plan for student support services:
transportation, food, facility
• Determine governance, policies, and procedures

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Evaluate, Accommodate, and
Adjust
• Consider information from all stakeholders
• Weigh positives and negatives
• Recognize teacher and staff input
• Maintain parent and community involvement
• Remain as flexible as possible
• Change as needed

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1 PK – grade 12 school with 285 students
25 teachers, 6 paraprofessionals, 1 technology
specialist, 1 media specialist, 1 counselor, 1
nurse, 1 reading specialist, and 1 part-time
coordinator
7 bus drivers, 4 office personnel, 2 ½ custodians,
and 2 administrators
In 2004:

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In 2004:
• New facility with both wired and wireless
internet access, including gym, band room, and
greenhouse.
• Extra-curricular programs including: after-
school, athletics, music and band, agriculture,
technology, construction, yearbook, and clubs.
• Active School Council, PTA, and involvement
with community programs, especially Family
Connection.

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In 2004:
• The total school budget was $3,884,157.
• The Taliaferro County School basketball team
came in next to last place.
• 16 students graduated; the drop-out rate was
11%.

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School Entrance

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School Front Hallway

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Media Center

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Pre-School Classroom

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Elementary School Classroom

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Middle School Classroom

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High School Classroom

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Greenhouse

27. 27Playground

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Gym

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We Survived!!!!