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A new charter school that will eventually serve sixth through 12th graders is now open in south DeKalb County.
The Anchor School, located at 2460 Wesley Chapel Road in Decatur, opened its doors for the 2023 fall semester to sixth graders with plans for a grade level to be added each school year, according to Head of School Josh Taylor. Taylor said the school was created after community members and families expressed a need for more school options for older adolescents.
“As we were engaging with families, the need for more choices for middle and high schoolers became a big part of why we’re focusing on sixth through 12th grades,” said Taylor. “There is a growing sense that there is important work we need to be doing with adolescents who are transitioning from childhood to adulthood. We are there for them from the beginning of adolescence until they achieve high school graduation.”
Taylor said the mission of the school is to be a village of families, community members and educators working together to serve the whole child and to do so with excellence – and the new school’s location in DeKalb County is the perfect place to realize those goals.
“DeKalb County is one of the most diverse counties in state which we see as an asset,” said Taylor. “The building where our facility is housed was previously a technical college, so having access to tech spaces, lab spaces, and large rooms for students doing hands-on projects is another reason why we chose this location.”
Since opening in the fall, Taylor said the surrounding community has been welcoming.
“We have been overwhelmed with the generosity and enthusiasm expressed so far,” said Taylor. “We already have partnerships across the community that help us with after-school opportunities; curriculum partners who bring real world experiences to the classroom; and college and career readiness partners to help with those next steps after graduation. This community has wrapped arms around our scholars and are providing great opportunities.”
The Anchor School is a charter school with free, open enrollment. The school is currently accepting applications for students who will be entering the sixth or seventh grade in the fall of 2024. Should enrollment exceed capacity, a lottery system will be put in place, stated officials.
Free tours are held every Thursday on the school’s campus at 9 a.m. with no appointment necessary. For more information, visit anchorschool.org.
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