500 signatures reached
To: Governor Brian Kemp, State Charter Commission Director Donovan Head, and Commission Members
Justice for THE ONLY Suspension Free Charter School in Georgia
7 Pillars Career Academy, the only suspension free 6-12th grade charter school in GA created to replace the School-to-Prison Pipeline with the School-to-Career Pipeline needs your VOICE. Our foundation is built on the Ngozo Saba, a set of seven ancient principles for civilization that seamlessly weave through every grade level, connecting students to grade-specific content in core subjects while ensuring a humanistic aspect is always being imbued.
Through strategic career curricula partnerships, our students dive into industry-leading software, solving real-world problems and honing trade skills tailored to their interests and workforce demands. They craft a robust portfolio, setting the stage for continued education opportunities beyond 7PCA. Think personal development seminars, field trips to college sites, access to professional mentors, and the chance to earn college credits and coveted scholarships.
Equipped with 1 to 1 technology, we tailor an educational program that specializes in differentiated learning, bridging gaps in foundational and progressive learning. By eliminating learning gaps, our scholars soar through curriculum content well before their projected graduation, giving them a head start on their career paths.
But it doesn't stop there. With barriers removed, our students can engage in apprenticeships, certification programs, or dual enrollment during their "junior" and "senior" years. We're revolutionizing education for a population that craves an environment fostering innovative minds while embracing cultural backgrounds and legacy creation.
These are just a few of the innovations our scholars have experienced since our 2019 opening. We want to express our deep concern regarding the recent recommendation of the State Charter Commission Staff not to transfer 7 Pillars Career Academy from a district to a state charter school without careful consideration of the circumstances surrounding our school. We request your support to ask that the State Charter School Commission staff to reconsider their decision for the following reasons:
1. **Opened During Pandemic:** 7 Pillars Career Academy embarked on its journey during an unprecedented time—the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges posed by this global crisis, our school has strived to provide quality education to our students under immense pressure.
2. **Lack of Financial Support:** Unlike many other schools in Georgia, our institution did not receive the financial support crucial for navigating through the pandemic. The school district did not provide our federal or state CARES and ESSER funds and did not allow our input on how these funds were spent, leaving us at a significant disadvantage in terms of resources necessary for maintaining operations and ensuring student success.
3. **Crucial Role in Community:** 7 Pillars Career Academy serves as the only suspension-free school in Georgia, acting as the last stop for many scholars who have struggled in traditional educational settings. Additionally, our school caters to a higher special needs population compared to most district schools, yet we have consistently outperformed weighted enrollment district schools in terms of academic achievement.
4. **Limitations in Assessment Methods:** It is important to note that two out of the three methods of assessment, Value Add and BOT, were not available for use in the review process. This limitation fails to provide a comprehensive evaluation of our school's performance and potential impact. Even without those two measures our school showed greater performance than other district schools in both ELA and Math for the 2022 school year and in ELA in 2023. Testing was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.
5. **Community Outreach Programs at Risk:** The closure of 7 Pillars Career Academy would have detrimental effects beyond the classroom. Our institution hosts the largest student-run food pantry in the 13 counties that comprise “Metro-Atlanta”, which serves hundreds of homes weekly. We also provide the only free middle and high school afterschool program in the area. The discontinuation of these vital services would leave a significant void in our community.
In light of these circumstances, I urge you to share our story, help us be heard so that those who are of like mind, and countenance have the opportunity to rally and support our school. We are asking the State Charter School Commission staff to recommend a three-year renewal for 7 Pillars Career Academy instead of the traditional 5 year. This extension would allow the commission to witness the profound impact of our school and its unique model when provided with the proper financial and governance provisions to succeed.
Through strategic career curricula partnerships, our students dive into industry-leading software, solving real-world problems and honing trade skills tailored to their interests and workforce demands. They craft a robust portfolio, setting the stage for continued education opportunities beyond 7PCA. Think personal development seminars, field trips to college sites, access to professional mentors, and the chance to earn college credits and coveted scholarships.
Equipped with 1 to 1 technology, we tailor an educational program that specializes in differentiated learning, bridging gaps in foundational and progressive learning. By eliminating learning gaps, our scholars soar through curriculum content well before their projected graduation, giving them a head start on their career paths.
But it doesn't stop there. With barriers removed, our students can engage in apprenticeships, certification programs, or dual enrollment during their "junior" and "senior" years. We're revolutionizing education for a population that craves an environment fostering innovative minds while embracing cultural backgrounds and legacy creation.
These are just a few of the innovations our scholars have experienced since our 2019 opening. We want to express our deep concern regarding the recent recommendation of the State Charter Commission Staff not to transfer 7 Pillars Career Academy from a district to a state charter school without careful consideration of the circumstances surrounding our school. We request your support to ask that the State Charter School Commission staff to reconsider their decision for the following reasons:
1. **Opened During Pandemic:** 7 Pillars Career Academy embarked on its journey during an unprecedented time—the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges posed by this global crisis, our school has strived to provide quality education to our students under immense pressure.
2. **Lack of Financial Support:** Unlike many other schools in Georgia, our institution did not receive the financial support crucial for navigating through the pandemic. The school district did not provide our federal or state CARES and ESSER funds and did not allow our input on how these funds were spent, leaving us at a significant disadvantage in terms of resources necessary for maintaining operations and ensuring student success.
3. **Crucial Role in Community:** 7 Pillars Career Academy serves as the only suspension-free school in Georgia, acting as the last stop for many scholars who have struggled in traditional educational settings. Additionally, our school caters to a higher special needs population compared to most district schools, yet we have consistently outperformed weighted enrollment district schools in terms of academic achievement.
4. **Limitations in Assessment Methods:** It is important to note that two out of the three methods of assessment, Value Add and BOT, were not available for use in the review process. This limitation fails to provide a comprehensive evaluation of our school's performance and potential impact. Even without those two measures our school showed greater performance than other district schools in both ELA and Math for the 2022 school year and in ELA in 2023. Testing was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.
5. **Community Outreach Programs at Risk:** The closure of 7 Pillars Career Academy would have detrimental effects beyond the classroom. Our institution hosts the largest student-run food pantry in the 13 counties that comprise “Metro-Atlanta”, which serves hundreds of homes weekly. We also provide the only free middle and high school afterschool program in the area. The discontinuation of these vital services would leave a significant void in our community.
In light of these circumstances, I urge you to share our story, help us be heard so that those who are of like mind, and countenance have the opportunity to rally and support our school. We are asking the State Charter School Commission staff to recommend a three-year renewal for 7 Pillars Career Academy instead of the traditional 5 year. This extension would allow the commission to witness the profound impact of our school and its unique model when provided with the proper financial and governance provisions to succeed.
Why is this important?
Public education was NEVER CREATED to see ALL students SUCCEED, 7 Pillars Career Academy was! Our school means so much to so many! We have proven that a suspension free, culturally relevant curriculum model can work. Our school has one of the lowest percentages of violent acts, even though we have a higher percentage of students with identified behavior and academic challenges.
It is important for ALL children, to have a safe space where their humanity is seen, dignity, compassion, and kindness are amplified, and there is a village of supportive adults vested in helping them find their genius!
It is important for ALL children, to have a safe space where their humanity is seen, dignity, compassion, and kindness are amplified, and there is a village of supportive adults vested in helping them find their genius!