Druid Hills Charter Cluster Now Nonprofit, Accepting Donations

A group seeking to create a cluster of charter schools around Druid Hills High School and the schools that feed into it is now a nonprofit and accepting donations.

The group, which calls itself the Druid Hills Charter Cluster, includes Avondale, Briar Vista, Fernbank, Laurel Ridge and McLendon elementary schools and Druid Hills middle and high schools.

Want to know more about what this all entails? From the group's FAQ page:

What is a Cluster?
A Cluster is a group of feeder schools that feed into a middle school and ultimately a high school. A lot of Cluster's have more than one middle school that feed into one high school. The Druid Hills High School Cluster is unique in that it has 5 elementary schools that feed into only 1 middle school, Druid Hills Middle. Druid Hills Middle feeds into Druid Hills High School.

What is a Charter school?
Charter schools are primary or secondary schools that receive public funding (and like other schools, may also receive private donations). They are subject to some of the rules and regulations that apply to other public schools, but generally have more flexibility than traditional public schools. Charter schools are expected to produce certain results, set forth in each school's charter. In exchange for flexibility, charter schools receive less funding and although they provide an alternative to other public schools, they are part of the public education system and are not allowed to charge tuition.

What is a Charter Cluster?
In 2005 the State of Georgia passed a law that allowed Clusters of schools to apply for what is called a Charter Cluster. This would allow all of the schools in the High School Cluster (elementary, middle and high) to run as an entire Charter together.

The cluster is inviting the public to its next Organizing Committee meeting at McLendon Elementary on Tuesday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m.