Former Bibb Educators Looking for Community Input for New Charter School, Talk About Plans

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Two former Bibb County educators say that’s what they want their proposed charter school to be all about discipline, structure, and academic rigor.

Laura Perkins and Esterine Stokes don’t have a one-size fits all plan for education, but what the former Westside High School educators do have is a common vision.

“We both have a passion for education,” said Stokes.

That love for educating is why Perkins and Stokes believe their proposed charter school, The Academy for Classical Education, will be a good fit for some Bibb County students in grades 6th through 8th.

“Not everyone can afford private school, and not everyone is a good fit for public school,” said Perkins.

The two are gathering feedback from this online survey, and community forums to tailor the curriculum to the wants and needs of teachers, students, and parents.

“They want their children in a rigorous academic environment where they are safe and well cared for. that’s what we want to provide,” said Perkins.

If the school gets the support it needs to open, the duo says in the classroom teachers will spend a majority of the day teaching, not testing, concentrating heavily on reading and language arts.

“That’s not to say we won’t focus on math, but Laura and I believe that if a student can read better, they’re going to perform better in all subjects,” said Stokes.

While this a new venture for both, Perkins and Stokes say the business is the same.

“This is public education, it’s just a different route. It’s driven by the community,” said Stokes.

Tonight, you can hear more about their vision for “ACE” and tell them what you’d like to see happen if their school opens. Perkins and Stokes are hosting an open forum at 7pm at Northway Church. The address is 5915 Zebulon Road in Macon.

For more information on ACE, click here.