The board of a popular Atlanta charter school has postponed a decision on controversial changes to its admission policies.
Like most charter schools with more prospective students than available seats, Drew Charter School admits new students through an annual lottery. This year, about 2,500 children applied for about 400 spots.
As competition to get into Drew grows, the school's board is considering giving children from its gentrifying East Atlanta area a significant edge over children from elsewhere in the city. At the same time, proposed changes could give children from low-income families a better shot at getting in.
It’s an attempt to shape the school’s demographics and make Drew a “neighborhood” school, board members say. But the proposal has infuriated some current Drew parents, including many who live outside the area around Drew.
The proposed changes are part of an application for a renewed charter from Atlanta Public Schools. Drew's governing board discussed them at a Tuesday meeting and asked the board's enrollment committee to explore alternatives.
The enrollment committee will meet on June 28th from 9:30-11:30 am at the Yates Campus, 300 East Lake Blvd. The board is expected to meet in July to vote on the plan. The new charter must also be approved by the Atlanta school board and the state.
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