The active petition for a charter from Cobb School District should not be confused with an earlier failed effort. (MDJ 2/17/2012, CCSD forced to turn down $50K grant)

The level and quality of effort that has gone into the development of the SAE planning and preparation, represents a perfect example of community involvement in the education future of children in South Cobb. Our petition addresses the principle challenge facing parents in South Cobb by providing a much larger percentage of our children for future success as products of a rigorous project learning experience.

 The Smyrna Academy of Excellence includes a 200-day year round school calendar and an eight-hour school day.  Regular balanced breaks throughout the year keep burn-out low for teachers and students and prevent the academic regression seen during a traditional 10 - 11 week summer break.  To foster long-term, meaningful and trusting relationships between teachers, students and parents, Academic and Advisory Families will be used.  Academic Families combines a group (3-5) of academic teachers with the same cohort of students for 3-4 years at a time and grouped accordingly:  k-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12.  Through this approach, a teacher is able to fully understand a student’s individual learning style, capacity for growth, and how to overcome any academic challenges to better assist in the overall development of the child.

Nearly 50% of our kids in South Cobb attendance zone have historically failed to graduate high school in four years.  The SAE plan calls for 100% graduation. Our parents need a better choice than they have currently.