Clayton News Daily

The Georgia Board of Education gave the green light Thursday to the Elite Scholars Academy Charter School scheduled to begin operations on July 1.

The school's charter was approved unanimously, Georgia Department of Education Spokesman Dana Tofig said.

The sixth-through twelfth-grade school is based on the Elite Scholars leadership and scholarship program for students at Mundy's Mill High School, according to the executive summary provided to state school board members.

The Elite Scholars approach focuses on students taking advanced placement courses, learning about leadership skills and participating in community-service projects.

The executive summary also shows that students in the sixth-through eighth-grades will take courses that are based on the honors curriculum for middle school students, while high-school-age students will take advanced placement courses. The students will be required to wear uniforms, just like participants in the Elite Scholars program, according to the executive summary.

The school's mission is "to prepare and empower young learners to become highly competent, conscientious, and compassionate global leaders and citizens, by means of rigorous instruction, relevant curriculum, and meaningful relationships," according to the executive summary.

Prior to gaining state approval, the school had to receive local acceptance. The Clayton County Board of Education approved the school's charter in May 2008.

The charter will last five years, and is set to expire June 30, 2014. For more information on the school, log onto www.elitescholarsacademy.com.