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Calendar - Scholars & Families - 2024-2025
Calendar - Faculty & Staff - 2024-2025
SY 2023-2024 Academic Calendar for Students and Families

2024-2025 Family Handbook

CLICK HERE FOR 2024-2025 FAMILY HANDBOOK

CLICK HERE FOR 2024 – 2025 WELLNESS POLICY

CLICK HERE FOR 2024 – 2025 SCHOOL PARENT COMPACT

FERPA Statement: The Anchor School is committed to student privacy rights – and upholds the boundaries established by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Transportation Program: The Anchor School provides transportation to families who are not able to walk, ride public transportation, or carpool to school on a daily basis. Full details of this program can be found in the family handbook – attached above. Contact info@anchorschool.org for more information about the transportation program.

Federal Program Information

Federal Programs Overview 

The Anchor School’s mission is to be a village of educators, families, and community members who partner with 6th-12th grade scholars as they develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to thrive in school and beyond. 

Contact Us

Kynea Griffith 
Email: kyneagriffith@anchorschool.org
Phone: 678-503-4880
Address:
2460 Wesley Chapel Road, Unit 25A
Decatur, GA 30035
 
Federal Program Services aim to achieve the following outcomes:
  1. Ensure Compliance: Provide resources, information, and internal processes to guarantee fiscal compliance across the district while meeting federal and state regulations.
  2. Offer Guidance: Deliver technical support and advice to schools and district offices on program monitoring and federal guidelines for various processes.
  3. Foster Collaboration: Promote communication and teamwork throughout the district to align school programs and financial operations, striving for continuous improvement.
  4. Enhance Leadership Capacity: Strengthen the abilities of district and school leaders to implement effective and sustainable Title I programs that meet all programmatic and fiscal standards.

Filing Formal Complaints Under ESSA Programs

An organization or individual (“complainant”) may file a formal complaint alleging a violation of the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA) against a Georgia school district, 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) program, or the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) itself.
 
Filing a Formal Complaint (Click Link)

Title I, Part A – Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged

Title I, Part A is a section of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) 1965, later updated by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

This section allocates federal funding to public schools that serve a large number or percentage of low-income students to ensure that all students meet high state academic standards and achieve academic success. The funding supports state and local initiatives to improve education by aligning with challenging state standards. It helps to strengthen efforts that enhance teaching and learning for all students.
 
The Anchor School is a School Wide Title I school. Programs under Title I, Part A must use proven methods to boost student achievement, incorporating evidence-based strategies. These funds are used for activities such as providing student remediation, professional development for educators, and engaging families in the educational process. The Anchor School DOES NOT have the designation status of Priority, Focus, or Title I Alert.
 
Additional information about the Title I Program can be found on the Georgia Department of Education’s website.
 

 

Title I Director

Kynea Griffith
Director of School Operations
2460 Wesley Chapel Road, Unit 25A 
Decatur, GA 30035
Phone: 678-503-4880 Email: kyneagriffith@anchorschool.org
Title I Programs Managed by the Federal Programs Department
  • Title I, Part A – Parent and Family Engagement 
  • Title I Homeless Program
 

Archived Documents:

Archived parent-facing documents, including Consolidated LEA Improvement Plans, Budget Documents, and other important information can be found in the board portal on the home page of our website.

Title I Parent and Family Engagement

Family involvement plays a crucial role in a student’s academic success. Research indicates that when schools and families collaborate, students are more likely to succeed both academically and in life. This kind of family engagement is vital not only at the start of a child’s education but throughout their entire academic journey. The Anchor School is committed to equipping schools and families with the necessary tools and resources to build strong, effective partnerships that contribute to student achievement.
 

Technical Support

The Office of Federal Programs offers three levels of technical support to The Anchor School as we receive Title I funding. This support helps parent liaisons and administrators ensure school-level compliance with Family Engagement requirements under Title I, Part A.
 

Tier I: On-Site Support

In-person training, review, and assistance with completing required Family Engagement documentation.
 

Tier II: Desktop Support

Virtual training, review, and assistance with completing required Family Engagement documentation.
 

Tier III: Professional Development

Ongoing professional development opportunities for parent liaisons focused on Family Engagement requirements, as well as district and community resources to strengthen family-school partnerships.
 
 

Title I Parent and Family Engagement Survey

Our district is committed to fostering strong partnerships between schools and families to support student success. We value your feedback, ideas, and suggestions. Please take a moment to complete the survey and share your recommendations on how we can enhance our Title I Parent & Family Engagement Program to better support your child’s learning and academic achievement.

 

CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY

Title II, Part A: Supporting Effective Instruction

Title II, Part A provides funding to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to enhance the quality of education by supporting efforts to improve teacher and staff recruitment, retention, and professional development. This program is designed to ensure that teachers are well-prepared to meet the needs of all students by providing ongoing opportunities for professional growth and learning. 
 
Funding from Title II, Part A helps LEAs implement comprehensive strategies to recruit and retain highly qualified educators, foster collaborative learning environments, and address teacher shortages. 
Additionally, it supports the administration of programs that contribute to continuous improvement in teaching quality and student achievement across the district. Through these efforts, Title II, Part A is critical in strengthening the educational workforce, ensuring students benefit from skilled, motivated, and effective teachers.
 

Filing Formal Complaints Under ESSA Programs

An organization or individual (“complainant”) may file a formal complaint alleging a violation of the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA) against a Georgia school district, 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) program, or the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) itself.
 
Filing a Formal Complaint (Click Link)

The Anchor School Homeless Support

The Homeless Education Program ensures access to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for children and youth experiencing homelessness in accordance with McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act, Title VII-B, reauthorized in 2002 as part of the No Child Left Behind Act. The Program for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth provides the following services:

  • Transportation
  • Educational Support and Remediation Service
  • School Supplies
  • Community Based Resources
The Anchor School Homeless Education Liaison acts as a link between family, shelter, school system, and community resources to coordinate educational services for homeless students.
 
Homelessness Defined
  1. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (Act), 42 U.S.C. Section 1143a (2) et.seq., identifies homeless students as those who meet one of the following criteria:
  2. Lack of a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; 
  3. Share the housing of other persons due to the loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; live in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; live in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement;
  4. Have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings; 
  5. Live in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; or
  6. Are migratory and live in the conditions set forth in items 2, 3, and 4 above.
 
Hope Map Georgia Resource Locator
 
Created in collaboration with FoodFinder, Hope Map Georgia is a comprehensive, easy-to-use, and up-to-date online community resource locator that can help Georgia families, children, youth, and communities locate free services that mitigate the effects of homelessness. This tool allows users to identify and learn about free assistance and resources—including food, shelter/housing, childcare, and more—in their geographic area or throughout Georgia. Please take a moment to share and explore Hope Map Georgia with your district and community.
 
Additional Information: Hope Map Georgia | FLYER
 
School-based Homeless Liaison
Kynea Griffith
2460 Wesley Chapel Road, Unit 25A
Decatur, GA 30035
Phone: 678-503-4880 Email: kyneagriffith@anchorschool.org 

Title IX Notice of Non-Discrimination

The Anchor School: Commitment to a Safe and Inclusive Environment
 
At The Anchor School, we are dedicated to ensuring that all students feel valued, respected, and supported in a learning environment free from sexual harassment, sex-based discrimination, or sexual misconduct. Any harassment or discrimination within our programs or activities is strictly prohibited and subject to the school’s policies.
 
The Anchor School School adheres to the regulations outlined in Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681), which prohibit sex discrimination in educational programs and activities. As mandated by this federal law, The Anchor School ensures that no individual in the United States shall, based on sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits from, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance.
 
In line with Title IX requirements, The Anchor School maintains a policy of non-discrimination based on sex in all aspects of its operations, including employment, applications for employment, and admission to educational programs or activities. This policy encompasses a prohibition against sex-based harassment, including sexual harassment and other forms of sexual misconduct.
 
The Title IX Coordinator at The Anchor School oversees the school’s compliance efforts with Title IX regulations. The designated Title IX Coordinator for our organization is listed below.
 
If you believe you have experienced or witnessed discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, relationship violence, or stalking, or if you have questions, we encourage you to submit a report through our online reporting account (reports@anchorschool.org), in person, by mail, or by using the contact information listed. You may file an anonymous report; however, this may limit our ability to investigate and address the allegation thoroughly. Alternatively, you can report by calling us at (678) 503-4880 or emailing kyneagriffith@anchorschool.org.
 
Title IX Coordinator
Kynea Griffith
Director of School Operations
2460 Wesley Chapel Road, Unit 25A 
Decatur, GA 30035
Phone: 678-503-4880 Email: kyneagriffith@anchorschool.org
Notice of Rights of Students and Parents Under Section 504

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, commonly referred to as “Section 504,” is a nondiscrimination statute enacted by the United States Congress. The purpose of Section 504 is to prohibit discrimination and to assure that disabled students have educational opportunities and benefits equal to those provided to non-disabled students.
 
For more information regarding Section 504, or if you have questions or need additional assistance, please contact our local system’s Section 504 Coordinator at the following address:
 
504 Coordinator
Kamilyah Hardaway
Director of Personalized Learning
2460 Wesley Chapel Road, Unit 25A
Decatur, GA 30035
Phone: 678-503-4880 Email: kamilyahhardaway@anchorschool.org
 
The implementing regulations for Section 504 as set out in 34 CFR Part 104 provide parents and/ or students with the following rights:
  1. Your child has the right to an appropriate education designed to meet his or her individual educational needs as adequately as the needs of non-disabled students. 34 CFR 104.33.
  2. Your child has the right to free educational services except for those fees that are imposed on non-disabled students or their parents. Insurers and similar third parties who provide services not operated by or provided by the recipient are not relieved from an otherwise valid obligation to provide or pay for services provided to a disabled student. 34 CFR 104.33.
  3. Your child has a right to participate in an educational setting (academic and nonacademic) with non-disabled students to the maximum extent appropriate to his or her needs. 34 CFR 104.34.
  4. Your child has a right to facilities, services, and activities that are comparable to those provided for non-disabled students. 34 CFR 104.34.
  5. Your child has a right to an evaluation prior to a Section 504 determination of eligibility. 34 CFR 104.35.
  6. You have the right to not consent to the school system’s request to evaluate your child. 34 CFR 104.35.
  7. You have the right to ensure that evaluation procedures, which may include testing, conform to the requirements of 34 CFR 104.35.
  8. You have the right to ensure that the school system will consider information from a variety of sources as appropriate, which may include aptitude and achievement tests, grades, teacher recommendations and observations, physical conditions, social or cultural background, medical records, and parental recommendations. 34 CFR 104.35.
  9. You have the right to ensure that placement decisions are made by a group of persons, including persons knowledgeable about your child, the meaning of the evaluation data, the placement options, and the legal requirements for least restrictive environment and comparable facilities. 34 CFR 104.35.
  10. f your child is eligible under Section 504, your child has a right to periodic reevaluations, including prior to any subsequent significant change of placement. 34 CFR 104.35.
  11. You have the right to notice prior to any actions by the school system regarding the identification, evaluation, or placement of your child. 34 CFR 104.36.
  12. You have the right to examine your child’s educational records. 34 CFR 104.36.
  13. You have the right to an impartial hearing with respect to the school system’s actions regarding your child’s identification, evaluation, or educational placement, with opportunity for parental participation in the hearing and representation by an attorney. 34 CFR 104.36.
  14. You have the right to receive a copy of this notice and a copy of the school system’s impartial hearing procedure upon request. 34 CFR 104.36.
  15. If you disagree with the decision of the impartial hearing officer (school board members and other district employees are not considered impartial hearing officers), you have a right to a review of that decision according to the school system’s impartial hearing procedure. 34 CFR 104.36.
  16. You have the right to, at any time, file a complaint with the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.

Notice of Nondiscrimination Policies

The Anchor School is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable educational environment. We do not discriminate in any of our employment practices, academic programs, services, or activities based on race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any other legally protected status. The prohibition against discrimination applies to all students, employees, Board members, and school community members, including affiliates, invitees, and guests.
 
Equal Opportunity and Access
The Anchor School provides equal access to all individuals and groups, including youth groups and other designated organizations. 
 
Legal Compliance
The Anchor School adheres to Federal and State laws prohibiting discrimination in educational programs and employment practices, including but not limited to the following:
  1. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin.
  2. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 – Prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs and activities.
  3. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 – Prohibits discrimination based on disability.
  4. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Title I & II) – Prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
  5. Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 – Prohibits discrimination based on age in employment.
  6. Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 – Prohibits discrimination based on genetic information.
  7. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) – Ensures educational rights for students with disabilities.
 
Anti-Harassment and Discipline
The Anchor School prohibits discriminatory harassment of any kind. Any act of discrimination or harassment will result in prompt and appropriate disciplinary action, including termination of employment or suspension/expulsion for students. The Anchor School takes these matters seriously and is committed to addressing any incidents of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.
 
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Dr. Josh Pinto Taylor, Executive Director 
2460 Wesley Chapel Road, Unit 25A
Decatur, GA 30035
joshpintotaylor@anchorschool.org
 
 
Designated Personnel for Inquiries
The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and compliance with applicable laws:
  • Title II, Title VI, Title IX: Kynea Griffith | kyneagriffith@anchorschool.org
  • Section 504 & IDEA: Kamilyah Hardaway | kamilyahhardaway@anchorschool.org
If you have questions or concerns about discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, please get in touch with the appropriate representative listed above.
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What is the meaning behind the name?

That’s one of our favorite questions to answer! Borrowing from Dr. King’s wisdom, we believe people live in two realms: internal and external. We exist to support internal and external growth through the places that our students inhabit. Our students graduate anchored with confidence in who they are, with whom they are connected, and with the world in which they live. We are anchored through these points of connection.

Where is the school located?

Our building is at 2460 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur, GA 30035. We have a state-wide attendance zone which means that 6th-12th grade students who live in the state of Georgia are eligible to enroll in our school.

Active Requests For Proposals

RFP – Transportation – 2025-2026