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School will receive $50,000 grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation

Atlanta (October 4, 2012) –Ìý, one of the state’s highest performing elementary/middle schools,Ìýhas been selected as the 2012 Georgia Charter School of the Year.ÌýÌý

The announcement was made today at the 10^thÌý´¡²Ô²Ô¾±±¹±ð°ù²õ²¹°ù²âÌýÌý(91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ) Charter Schools Conference, being held in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center. ÌýHundreds 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 theÌýwinning school, Drew Charter School will receive a $50,000 grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation. The award wasÌýestablished to honor excellence in education throughout the public charter sector in Georgia.ÌýThis 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. ÌýThe 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.

Also honored at the 10^thÌýAnniversary Conference:

• Children’s Impact Award – Coy Bowles
• Charter Leader of the Year – David Jernigan, Executive Director KIPP Metro Atlanta
• Charter Teacher of the Year –Ìý Chi Wu, DeKalb PATH Academy
• Power to the Parents Award – Kelly Marlow, Cherokee Charter Academy
• 2012 Charter Schools Impact Award:

oÌýÌýÌýState RepresentativeÌý Jan Jones

oÌýÌýÌýDr. Arlinda J. Eaton, Dean, Bagwell College of Education at Kennesaw State University

oÌýÌýÌýLinda Zechmann, Immediate Past Chair Charter School Committee, GA State BOE

oÌýÌýÌýState Senator Chip Rogers

oÌýÌýÌýState Representative Brooks Coleman , Chair Education Committee