Home-schooled, students enrolled in private schools and students in neighboring districts will now have an opportunity to be admitted to attend classes on a part-time basis through the Gordon County College and Career Academy.

This measure was approved during the regular July meeting by members of the Gordon County Board of Education.

“A charter school system will give the local school board more flexibility over the schools, in regards to state laws,” according to the state Department of Education.

Charter schools are governed by their own independent, non-profit boards with “oversight from the authorizer and the state Department of Education.”

“Gordon County is the first district in the state to implement such a policy, and the new procedure is just one of the innovative practices included in the district's System Charter,” said Amy Parker, CEO of Gordon County College and Career Academy.

Students, in all grade levels, will be able to receive “exemplary instruction,” she explained.

For example, Advanced Placement high school courses and career pathway courses, including JROTC and fine and performing arts, are among the opportunities available to students.

About the College and Career Academy

In April 2011, the Gordon school system charter petition was approved by the state Board of Education.

One of the innovations included in the petition was the development of the Gordon County College and Career Academy, for which Gordon County Schools and Georgia Northwestern Technical College received a $3.16 million grant in December 2010.

“The College and Career Academy will offer college credit to students who successfully complete identified courses.” Parker said. “Plans are underway for a new facility that will house the College and Career Academy and its state of the art programs.”

A Career Academy will give county and local students the opportunity to attend high school while earning technical skills training in industry-related fields at GNTC.

The actual career academy facility is scheduled to open fall 2013. Another innovation, Parker explained, is that the career academy will operate as a nonprofit.

“Gordon County College and Career Academy has registered with the Secretary of State and the Georgia Board of Education to become a non-profit organization and is governed by its own board of directors,” she said.

Organization and direction

The board of directors is made up of members of Gordon County, representing a diverse work sector.

“(This will enable) a focus on high skill, high wage, high demand educational programs,” Parker said.

According to the Georgia Department of Education’s information about College and Career Academy partnership in Georgia, Gordon County College and Career Academy is one of five in the North Georgia area.

The others include: Floyd County College and Career Academy, Whitfield Career Academy, Carroll County Career Academy and Lanier Career Academy.

Parents who would like additional information regarding part-time enrollment should contact the principal of the school housing the desired program.