The top reported proficiency rate is 14% in English language arts. The lowest is 9% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Peace Academy Charter School
PEACE Academy Charter School is a young statewide charter school in southeast Atlanta that opened in fall 2022 with an explicit Afrocentric, culturally immersive curriculum—the first of its kind in Georgia. This pedagogical identity is foundational to the school's mission and shapes everything from its daily cultural studies course to monthly field experiences tied to essential questions. For families drawn to this educational approach, it is a defining feature; for others, it may be the deciding factor against enrollment.
The school serves kindergarten through third grade and is in active expansion, adding one grade each year toward a full K-8 program, with a new middle school program opening for the 2026-27 school year and enrollment now open for grades K-6. This matters directly for families with multiple children: a sibling who enters in kindergarten today can remain through the same cohort as the school grows, rather than facing a transfer after early elementary.
Enrollment is small, with roughly equal or slightly smaller class sizes in the lower grades and a smaller third-grade cohort. The student body is predominantly Black, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the demographics and economic circumstances of the school's catchment area in metro Atlanta.
Academic performance, based on the most recent state testing data, is well below both the state average and the midpoint among DeKalb County districts across both English language arts and math. Third-grade proficiency in math is extremely low, and fourth-grade proficiency, while higher, remains a small fraction of students meeting standards in either subject. This represents a hard reality for any prospective family: the school is not yet delivering proficiency gains at the rate expected in its district. Parents should seek direct conversation with school leadership about what is driving these results, what instructional changes are underway, and what the school's plan is for moving them upward.
The location, in the 30316 zip code in southeast Atlanta, sits in an area with modest home values relative to higher-income Atlanta neighborhoods, and rental costs in the low range for the city. The school's status as a tuition-free charter means it imposes no enrollment cost, making it accessible regardless of family income.
The school's standing is too new and its performance data too thin to predict trajectory. Families considering PEACE Academy are making a choice about curriculum philosophy and community identity first, and accepting early-stage academic results second. Direct engagement with the school about instructional practice and accountability measures is essential before enrollment.
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