The Georgia Department of Education, in partnership with the Institute for Self-Directed Learning, has launched a new initiative to help school districts develop innovative learning models to meet the needs of students and families.

Ten districts have been selected for the first cohort and will work to design new school models that increase flexibility, strengthen student engagement, and respond to community needs.

The initiative comes as public schools across the country experience shifts in enrollment – in Georgia, enrollment is projected to decline by approximately 2% for FY27. These changes reflect a combination of factors: both long-term demographic trends such as declining birth rates as well as shifts in how families access education.

“We have seen declines in public-school enrollment nationwide, and Georgia is not exempt,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “We believe in the power of public education, and we are going to meet this moment proactively. This initiative is an opportunity for districts to continue to adapt and build models that reflect the needs of their communities and prepare all students for life.”

Over the course of the year, district teams in the cohort will participate in professional learning, community engagement, and site visits to observe innovative models in practice. Districts will develop and refine a blueprint for new or redesigned school models, grounded in a clear theory of change and tailored to local needs. The cohort includes hands-on design sessions, case studies, and opportunities for teams to present their plans and receive feedback from peers and experts.

“What excites me most about this partnership is that it gives Georgia districts practical support to create schools that truly fit their communities, where families will be able to say, ‘This school feels like it was designed for us and prepares our children with real skills for real life,” said Dr. Tyler Thigpen, co-founder and Head of the Institute for Self-Directed Learning.

“This is an opportunity for Georgia to shape the future, not just react to it,” added Dr. Caleb Collier, co-founder and Director of the Institute for Self-Directed Learning. “I’m excited to see what emerges as districts engage deeply with families to co-create new models of education.”

District teams are exploring a range of approaches, including learner-centered models that increase student ownership and real-world relevance. These include hybrid learning environments, microschool structures, and redesigned in-person models. In addition to model design, districts are developing strategies to engage families and build trust, ensuring new approaches are responsive to community priorities and positioned for successful implementation.

“In Henry County Schools, our mission is to empower all students with exceptional opportunities and access that lead to success in a global society,” said Henry County Superintendent Dr. John Pace III. “We recognize that innovative models are required to meet the diverse needs of our families, and we are excited to partner with the Georgia Department of Education and the Institute for Self-Directed Learning in this proactive effort to continue strengthening the alignment of our strategic direction with the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of our community.”

GaDOE plans to use lessons learned from this initial cohort to inform future opportunities for additional districts.

The first cohort includes the following districts:

• Cartersville City Schools
• Clayton County Schools
• Colquitt County Schools
• Greene County Schools
• Henry County Schools
• Houston County Schools
• Muscogee County Schools
• Rockdale County Schools
• Savannah-Chatham County Schools
• Union County Schools