Savannah Classical Academy (SCA) students returned for the new school year on Aug. 5 with the completion of the Pre K-12 charter school’s newly restored playground. SCA has recognized The Hodge Foundation – an organization created through an endowment left by Sarah Mill Hodge designated to help the community – for its significant donation of $52,000 to this project. The new playground has been completely renovated with turf and a range of equipment. Through the support of Leslie and Angus Littlejohn of PlayPower Inc., a premier recreation equipment company, SCA was able to upgrade all of the playground equipment to provide the highest quality options for students.

“We are grateful to the Hodge Foundation for their generous donation and for PlayPower’s additional support which have enabled us to rehabilitate the school’s playground,” said SCA Chief Executive Officer Barry Lollis. “As SCA is on track to serve the highest number of Pre K-12 students in our history for the 2025-26 school year, it is vital that we provide a high-quality environment for safe and expressive play.”

Christopher Cay, Chair of the Hodge Foundation Board said, “Sarah Mills Hodge was passionate about helping people in the community and the Savannah Classical Academy continues the good work in the spirit of helping children in our community.”

SCA is the only K-12 school charter school which is open to all students residing in Chatham County and is funded with public funds as provided by a charter that allows it to operate autonomously under a board of parents and community members. It is the philosophy of Savannah Classical Academy that all students benefit from a rigorous, content-rich, educational program that develops academic potential and personal character. Significant superior scoring and the recent accolades in being named a Literacy Leader and Math Leader demonstrate the excellent results of this approach. The school provides an environment that fosters academic excellence through the habits of thoroughness, the willingness to work, and the perseverance to complete difficult tasks. Through a defined traditional, classical curriculum, students are prepared to become active, responsible members of their community. The school is open to all students living in Chatham County via a lottery. For more information about Savannah Classical Academy, please visit www.savannahclassicalacademy.org.