Charter schools are free public schools open to any student who resides in the zone outlined by the charter, in the case of Rocky Creek Charter Academy the attendance zone is a Georgia Statewide zone; therefore, the only requirement is Georgia residency.

They operate under the terms of a charter, or contract, established by an authorizer such as the State Charter Schools Commission. Charter schools are held accountable by the authorizing agency in the areas of high student academic achievement, sound financial management, and organizational stability.

Rocky Creek Charter Academy is a replication/expansion of the Georgia School for Innovation and the Classics (GSIC) with its main campus in Hephzibah.  GSIC is characterized by rigorous academics, a culture of high expectation and accountability, and diverse programs aimed to integrate the assets and strength of the community surrounding the school.  GSIC has implemented its essential and innovative features across all school levels to varying degrees and leadership has continued to make concerted efforts to recruit and retain instructional staff members who are classically trained or have a like-minded philosophical approach that has proven to be effective in teaching students like those that Rocky Creek Charter Academy aims to serve.  Additionally, unlike schools operated by the school district, Rocky Creek Charter Academy is operated by a governing board and leadership that is focused solely on the needs of its students and families.

Rocky Creek Charter Academy will begin with an elementary model and begin to expand by one grade level per year until we reach high school at which time we will offer expanded programs and pathways intended to provide additional college and career options.

At Rocky Creek Charter Academy we embrace the following:  

• Socratic Approach
• Student-Centered
• Personal Responsibility of Students, Family, Staff, and Stakeholders
• Collaborative Learning Environments
• Community/Industry Centric Programs and Pathways

• Choice – Parents can choose Rocky Creek Charter Academy, regardless of where in Georgia they reside.

• Small class size – At approximately 20 students, a Rocky Creek Charter Academy class is about 2/3 the size of the typical school class. Fewer students per class means the teacher can give more individual attention to each student.

• Innovation – Rocky Creek Charter Academy is a close-knit community where subject content relates to the larger community around us.
• Parent Involvement – Through various activities and opportunities parents are encouraged to volunteer to help their children succeed. Together, we build a culture in which the children will thrive.
• Accountability – Rocky Creek Charter Academy and its students are held accountable to a high standard of academic achievement by the Georgia Department of Education and State Charter Schools Commission
• Community – At GSIC we truly serve the students through a creative and supportive environment 
• Truly serve the students, creative and supportive environment to support students
• School culture – high expectations, personal accountability, students are recognized outside the building
• While adhering to state standards, teachers are afforded the opportunity to teach and students are allowed to learn
• Non-Traditional Calendar that maximizes student/staff days (Labor Day to Memorial Day schedule) with flexibility in summer
• Creative solutions for student/program needs
• Strong Administrative support
• Strong retention rate – staff and students
• Incentive Programs, Raises, Bonuses and Shortened Calendar 
• Single Campus is appealing for families and community and extends relationships for community building as a K-12 Campus
• Focus on Personal responsibility – families and community are expected to participate/provide lunch, transportation, educational support completing the three key areas of partnership – Students-School-Family/Community
• School focus is on Students from Governing Board Down – no thick layers of bureaucracy with ability to serve students, families, and staff in real time

Rocky Creek Charter Academy will begin with an elementary service area (either Kindergarten – Third or Kindergarten – Fifth) and grow by one grade level per year after that until the school reaches K-12.

Any student whose residence is within the state of Georgia.

Rocky Creek Charter Academy welcomes all scholars and makes the necessary accommodations to ensure their success.  This includes those in need of special education, gifted programs, and English language instruction.

No. As a state charter school authorized by the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC), Rocky Creek Charter Academy receives funding through the state budget and state public school funding formula (QBE), but Rocky Creek Charter Academy will not receive any financial support from Richmond County or any other surrounding school district.  Rocky Creek Charter Academy does not receive financial support from local tax assessments.

Rocky Creek Charter Academy will not provide transportation to or from school.  We will work closely with our community partners to identify alternative ways to assist our students in coming to school.

Rocky Creek Charter Academy believes that teacher certification is important to help ensure teachers will be effective in the classroom.  We will strive to employ teachers with Georgia teaching certificates and who are considered “Highly Qualified” across core academic course as well as special needs programs such a gifted, special education, and ELL.  However, in some limited cases we may utilize our flexibility to hire noncertified teachers who are exceptional educators in areas of flexibility and/or shortage; however, the quality of instruction will never be compromised and a rigorous, standards-based education will be delivered.

Charter schools are public schools and are funded through tax dollars similar to public schools within a school district.  Each year, Rocky Creek Charter Academy will receive funding from the State of Georgia based on the number of students it serves as calculated by a funding formula outlined in state law.  One important difference between traditional public schools and Rocky Creek Charter Academy is that Rocky Creek Charter Academy will not receive any funding through local tax dollars collected by Rocky Creek Charter Academy? Because Rocky Creek Charter Academy is a state charter school approved by the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia it only receives state funding.

You should fill out the application here.  Rocky Creek Charter Academy serves all eligible students.  There is no admission requirement to apply.  Rocky Creek Charter Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities.

No.  All students are welcome to attend Rocky Creek Charter Academy.  Rocky Creek Charter Academy serves all students and all students will have an equal opportunity for admission.  However, if more students apply than spaces are available, applicants will be offered space through a random lottery.  More information about the lottery process is available here.

Additionally, as provided in state law and the school’s charter contract, Rocky Creek Charter Academy provides an enrollment priority for siblings of Rocky Creek Charter Academy students and students who are children of faculty, staff, or the governing board.

Rocky Creek Charter Academy is dedicated to serving all students regardless of his or her unique needs.  Rocky Creek Charter Academy’s academic model and emphasis on personalized learning strongly supports the needs of students with disabilities.  As a public school, Rocky Creek Charter Academy will comply with every aspect of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Rocky Creek Charter Academy embraces its role as safe and welcoming environment for students of all culture and ethnicities.  Rocky Creek Charter Academy will actively identify and support students learning English.

If more students apply to attend Rocky Creek Charter Academy than there are available spaces, Rocky Creek Charter Academy will utilize a random lottery process to offer spaces for enrollment.  Parents of each student who have received a winning lottery number will receive notice via email within 24 hours of the lottery completion.

○      Students may wear khaki or navy bottoms and solid color navy, burgundy, or light blue tops.  Belts must be worn, shirts must be tucked in for all males. 

• Kindergarten and first grade students are not required to wear belts.

■      Tops must either be two/three button polo-style or oxford-style button-down with a collar.

■      Tops must be free of designs (a small logo on the upper left chest is permitted).

■      Bottoms must fit well (not overly baggy or tight) and have belt loops.

■      Shorts must not be more than two inches above the knee. 

• Girls are allowed to wear earrings. No visible body piercings, including nose rings/studs, are allowed. Boys are not permitted to have piercings of any kind.
• A more detailed Dress Code will be provided at Open House.