New charter school approved for northwest Georgia

Dalton, GA (02/12/2026) — The Dalton Public Schools board is expanding school choice through approval of a new public charter school application for the Learning Academy of Northwest Georgia (Learning Academy), which plans to open in fall 2027. The board approved the application from the LEARNING Foundation of Georgia, an independent nonprofit board collaborating with Dalton State College, at its meeting on Feb. 9.

"Our partnership with Dalton State College is an important investment in the future of Dalton Public Schools and our community," said Superintendent Steven Craft. "By intentionally developing and supporting future educators, we are strengthening our workforce and ensuring our students continue to learn from highly qualified, well-prepared teachers."

The Learning Academy will be a public school of choice that operates under a charter with Dalton Public Schools. It will begin with pre-Kindergarten through 3rd grade and will eventually serve students through 12th grade. Charter schools are granted flexibility from certain state and local regulations to design unique educational programs in exchange for meeting rigorous student performance goals aligned with the Georgia Standards of Excellence.

The Learning Academy will feature three foundational elements: classical education, outdoor play and personalized learning plans inspired by the Finnish education model, and dual-immersion instruction in both English and Spanish. The classical education model is a time-tested approach that includes a strong focus on reading, language arts, literature, history, and exposure to Latin. It builds a strong intellectual and social foundation at every stage of a student's development.

"All families want to help their children prepare for a successful future, and the Learning Academy of Northwest Georgia will provide another option for families trying to find the best learning environment for their children. This new educational opportunity will provide a strong foundation for student success, further strengthening our local workforce and our economy," said John Minor, chairman of the LEARNING Foundation of Georgia.

In addition to Minor, the LEARNING Foundation of Georgia's founding board includes community volunteers Cindy Howalt, Tangela Johnson, Julia Patterson, Jessica Trivino, and Larry Winter, as well as Dalton State College administrators John Fuchko, Sharon Hixon and David Elrod.

Through collaboration with the Learning Academy, Dalton State education students will have the opportunity to actively engage with K-12 students, gaining early hands-on experience that strengthens their teaching abilities. Meanwhile, Dalton State faculty will collaborate closely with these students and teachers to refine best practices and share innovative approaches with regional K-12 partners.

"As a community-focused institution, we are excited about partnerships and opportunities to enhance K-12 education," said Hixon, who is dean of Dalton State's School of Education. "We look forward to building on our multiple partnerships through placement of our education students at the Learning Academy of Northwest Georgia as we work to support the success of the K-12 school systems we serve."

The school will welcome students of all abilities and backgrounds, including English language learners, students with special needs, and those from economically disadvantaged communities. Enrollment will be open to students living in Whitfield, Catoosa, Gordon, Murray, and Walker counties.

"This approval marks a significant milestone and reflects our continued commitment to innovation and student success within our community," said Deputy Superintendent Nick Sun. "We know we have more work to do, but we are grateful for the strong partnership with Dalton State that has made this possible, and we look forward to collaboration as we work together to expand educational opportunities and strengthen outcomes for students."

Visit learningacademynwga.org to learn more about the Learning Academy of Northwest Georgia or to express interest in enrollment.

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Dalton State College

New charter school approved for northwest Georgia

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Dalton State College

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