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Local News
February 12, 2026 / 9:50 PM EST
/ CBS Atlanta
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The Cobb County School District has approved a new charter school set to open in 2027, expanding “school choice” in South Cobb at a time when metro Atlanta districts are grappling with enrollment declines, school closures, and rapid changes driven by artificial intelligence.
Power Public Schools will initially serve about 100 middle school students beginning in August 2027, with plans to grow one grade level per year over a five-year charter term. The school’s model emphasizes AI-powered personalized learning and early college pathways — a signal of how emerging technology is reshaping education in Georgia.
But the approval also reopens longstanding questions: How effective are charter schools in Georgia? What does AI mean for public classrooms? And how does this fit into the broader wave of school restructuring unfolding across metro Atlanta?
Charter schools in Georgia: What does the data show?
Georgia currently serves more than 150,000 students in charter schools statewide, according to Georgia Department of Education data. Charter schools operate as public schools but have greater flexibility in curriculum, staffing, and innovation in exchange for meeting performance benchmarks.
The pros:
State data shows many Georgia charter schools perform at or above state averages on Georgia Milestones assessments.
Some research from Georgia State University’s Education Policy Center has found certain charter schools — particularly those using personalized or college-prep models — demonstrate stronger academic growth for low-income students.
Charter flexibility allows districts to pilot innovative models, such as AI-driven learning, STEM specialization, or early college tracks.
Cobb officials noted that before this approval, Walton High School was the district’s only charter school, following the closure of Kennesaw Charter School in 2020.
The concerns:
Academic outcomes among charter schools vary widely. Statewide averages show some charter schools underperform compared to traditional public schools, particularly in math proficiency.
Critics argue charters can divert funding from traditional schools, especially during enrollment declines.
Stability is also an issue: several Georgia charter schools have closed over the past decade due to financial or performance challenges.
In Cobb’s case, district leaders say the charter expands “high-quality educational options” while remaining under district oversight.
The AI boom is already reshaping education
Power Public Schools’ academic model centers on AI-powered personalized learning, part of a broader national trend integrating artificial intelligence into classrooms.
AI in education is already being used for:
Adaptive math and literacy platforms that adjust in real time to student performance
Predictive analytics to identify students at risk of falling behind
Automated tutoring systems
Early college credit planning and course mapping
Georgia districts, including Atlanta Public Schools and Gwinnett County, have already piloted AI-based tutoring and data analytics systems like Microsoft Reading Coach.
Potential benefits:
Personalized pacing for students who need acceleration or remediation
Reduced teacher workload for grading and administrative tasks
Expanded early college and workforce pathways
Challenges and concerns:
Data privacy and student information security
Over-reliance on technology in under-resourced communities
Unequal access to devices and broadband
Ethical concerns about algorithm bias
Education experts say AI works best when paired with strong teacher guidance — not as a replacement for educators.
A broader metro Atlanta restructuring wave
Cobb’s charter approval comes amid sweeping restructuring conversations across metro Atlanta.
DeKalb County Schools is considering closing or repurposing up to 26 elementary schools due to declining enrollment.
Atlanta Public Schools is moving forward with a plan to close at least 16 schools
Gwinnett County Public Schools has adjusted attendance zones to address capacity shifts.
Enrollment declines are not unique to Georgia. Statewide public school enrollment has dropped compared to pre-pandemic levels, driven by:
Lower birth rates
Housing affordability challenges
Migration patterns
Growth of private and charter school alternatives
Cobb officials emphasized their commitment to academic performance, highlighting that more than 40 Cobb schools were recognized as Literacy Leaders or Math Leaders by the Georgia Department of Education based on Georgia Milestones achievement and growth.
At the same time, Superintendent Chris Ragsdale addressed recent student walkouts, underscoring the district’s position that schools must remain focused on learning and politically neutral.
What this means for families
For South Cobb families, the new charter school represents a chance to participate in what could be one of Georgia’s first district-approved AI-centered academic models.
For others, it signals a pivotal moment in public education: balancing innovation, accountability, enrollment realities, and community stability.
The Cobb Board’s decision places the district at the center of a statewide conversation — one that merges charter performance data, technological transformation, and the future footprint of public schools across metro Atlanta.
As restructuring plans continue to unfold in neighboring districts, education leaders face a critical question: how to modernize learning while preserving equitable access and long-term sustainability for Georgia’s public school students.
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