SCCPSS One of Ten Districts to Be Included in New GaDOE Initiative to Create Innovative School Models

Last month, the Georgia Department of Education, in partnership with the Institute for Self-Directed Learning, announced the launch of a new initiative to help school districts develop innovative learning models to meet the needs of students and families. The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System is one of ten districts selected for the first cohort that will work to design new school models that increase flexibility, strengthen student engagement, and respond to community needs.

Over the course of the year, district teams in the cohort will participate in professional learning, community engagement, and site visits to observe innovative models in practice. Districts will develop and refine a blueprint for new or redesigned school models, grounded in a clear theory of change and tailored to local needs. The cohort includes hands-on design sessions, case studies, and opportunities for teams to present their plans and receive feedback from peers and experts.

SCCPSS is starting the initial phase of collaboration with the community to understand needs, co-design a school model, and pilot that model in an existing or new school program.  The school district is now seeking input from families with children enrolled in private or home schools, as well as families that choose public school.  If you are interested in sharing your experiences and opinions, please sign up using this link:

More details on the process:

• Virtual interview will be conducted throughout the month of May
• In-person interviews
  • Monday June 1: Goodwill Opportunity Center (7200 Sallie Mood Dr)
  • Tuesday June 2: Oatland Island Wildlife Center (711 Sandtown Road)
  • Wednesday June 3: The Malin, 119 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
• Community Open Forum: Monday June 1, 6pm, Goodwill Opportunity Center (7200 Sallie Mood Drive).  

This GaDOE initiative comes as public schools across the country experience shifts in enrollment – in Georgia, enrollment is projected to decline by approximately 2% for FY27. These changes reflect a combination of factors: both long-term demographic trends such as declining birth rates as well as shifts in how families access education.

“We have seen declines in public-school enrollment nationwide, and Georgia is not exempt,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “We believe in the power of public education, and we are going to meet this moment proactively. This initiative is an opportunity for districts to continue to adapt and build models that reflect the needs of their communities and prepare all students for life.”

“What excites me most about this partnership is that it gives Georgia districts practical support to create schools that truly fit their communities, where families will be able to say, ‘This school feels like it was designed for us and prepares our children with real skills for real life,” said Dr. Tyler Thigpen, co-founder and Head of the Institute for Self-Directed Learning.

“This is an opportunity for Georgia to shape the future, not just react to it,” added Dr. Caleb Collier, co-founder and Director of the Institute for Self-Directed Learning. “I’m excited to see what emerges as districts engage deeply with families to co-create new models of education.”

District teams are exploring a range of approaches, including learner-centered models that increase student ownership and real-world relevance. These include hybrid learning environments, microschool structures, and redesigned in-person models. In addition to model design, districts are developing strategies to engage families and build trust, ensuring new approaches are responsive to community priorities and positioned for successful implementation.

GaDOE plans to use lessons learned from this initial cohort to inform future opportunities for additional districts.

Please use this link to confirm your attendance at the option that works best for you.