About the Learning Academy of Northwest Georgia
Built by and for a community that believes in the power of learning.
Opening in Fall 2027, the Learning Academy of Northwest Georgia is a new, tuition-free public charter school founded by the LEARNING Foundation of Georgia.
Together, we’re creating a place where students, families, educators, and future teachers come together to reimagine education through classical education models, powered by curiosity, and centered on community.
What Will School Look Like?
While curriculum development is ongoing, here’s a look at what we’re building:
A classical academic foundation, aligned with the Georgia Standards of Excellence.
Content-rich early grades, including memorization of historical facts, science foundations, and great literature.
Immersion in both English and Spanish, with Latin introduced later.
A strong presence of fine and performing arts.
A low-tech approach for younger students, prioritizing focus and connection.
An emphasis on experiential learning, including time spent in nature.
Character development through unstructured play, resilience-building, and joy.
Uniforms to foster belonging and reduce distractions.
A rigorous high school experience, with:
- Academic depth in grades 9–10
- Dual enrollment in grade 11 (Dalton State College or Georgia Northwestern Technical College)
- A real-world internship or apprenticeship in grade 12
What Will School Look Like?
While curriculum development is ongoing, here’s a look at what we’re building:
Content-rich early grades, including memorization of historical facts, science foundations, and great literature.
A classical academic foundation, aligned with the Georgia Standards of Excellence.
An emphasis on experiential learning, including time spent in nature.
Character development through unstructured play, resilience-building, and joy.
Uniforms to foster belonging and reduce distractions.
Immersion in both English and Spanish, with Latin introduced later.
A strong presence of fine and performing arts.
A low-tech approach for younger students, prioritizing focus and connection.
A rigorous high school experience, with:
- Academic depth in grades 9–10
- Dual enrollment in grade 11 (Dalton State College or Georgia Northwestern Technical College)
- A real-world internship or apprenticeship in grade 12
A School That Grows with Its People
This school is being built for the families of Northwest Georgia who want something both grounded and forward-looking—a place where children are known, challenged, and deeply supported. The classical model we’re exploring is time-tested, developmental, and rich in content. It teaches children how to think, not just what to think. It cultivates character, not just performance. And it honors every stage of learning, from playful exploration to serious inquiry.
Our goal is to help students master the academic basics and grow into resilient, joyful learners who are equipped for life.
A Place for Teachers to Wonder and Learn, Too
The Learning Academy of Northwest Georgia is designed to support both students and the educators who guide them. Through a rich collaboration with Dalton State College, the school will serve as a vibrant training ground for future teachers and a space where current educators can continue to grow.
Dalton State education students will begin working with K–12 learners early in their academic journey. Rather than waiting until their final semesters to step into classrooms, they’ll gain meaningful, hands-on experience throughout their preparation—guided by experienced master teachers and supported by a collaborative school culture.
This approach gives our students more personalized attention and allows future educators to develop confidence and skill through real, daily practice.
Beyond teacher preparation, this partnership invites faculty and researchers from across Dalton State—including those in literature, science, the arts, and more—to contribute to classroom learning. Their involvement will spark new ideas, inform curriculum, and help refine what great teaching looks like in today’s world.
The result is a dynamic environment where education students, faculty, and classroom teachers learn from each other. It’s a place where instructional methods are tested, refined, and shared with schools across the region. And it strengthens both the future of teaching and the public schools served by Dalton State’s School of Education.
Learn more about Dalton State’s School of Education:
Who runs this Charter School?
The LEARNING Foundation of Georgia includes leaders from the northwest Georgia community and Dalton State College. The Board of Directors will serve as the governing board for the charter school. The founding board members are listed below. Once the school is established, the Dalton State board members will transition to ex-officio roles, and the Board will change and expand as we work to obtain the required authorizations and begin offering instruction. The Board will also hire a Founding Head of School in the near future who will assist in establishing the school.
- John Minor, V – Chair
- Tangela Johnson – Vice Chair
- Larry Winter – Treasurer
- Julie Patterson – Secretary
- David Elrod – Board Member
- Dr. John Fuchko – Board Member
- Dr. Sharon Hixon – Board Member
- Jessica Trivino – Board Member
The Learning Academy of Northwest Georgia is a separate legal entity from Dalton State College and will seek local and/or state authorization to become a charter school. The Learning Academy of Northwest Georgia would be subject to applicable reporting requirements and accreditation standards.
What is a Charter School?
Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that operate independently of local districts. They are open to all students and held to high academic, financial, and operational standards.
They also have the freedom to innovate—with curriculum, school culture, and staffing—while still being accountable to the state. We believe our community deserves access to this kind of opportunity.
Charter schools in Georgia are showing promising results:
- In 2022–23, 85% of State Charter Schools outperformed surrounding district schools in either mastery or growth
- A 2023 Stanford study found that charter students gain the equivalent of 16 extra days of reading and 6 in math per year
- Charter high schools make up just 10% of U.S. public high schools—but represent 21% of the Top 100 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 rankings
Why Now—and Why Here?
Northwest Georgia is full of talented children, dedicated families, and passionate educators. But we know that talent alone isn’t enough. Students need schools that give them a solid foundation, hold high expectations, and offer a deep sense of belonging. Teachers need schools that give them room to teach well, collaborate meaningfully, and keep learning themselves.
We are grateful for the endorsement and partnership of the Dalton Public Schools’ leadership as we explore this innovative opportunity. We are still determining the location of our physical space, but it will be within the City of Dalton.
That’s what we’re building. We hope you’ll join us.