Wesleyan College announces plan for new K-12 charter school in Macon

Wesleyan College plans to open a K-12 charter school, the Wesleyan Academy, on its campus in Fall 2026.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Wesleyan College plans to open a K-12 charter school, the Wesleyan Academy, on its campus in Fall 2026.

The goal is to expand educational opportunities and strengthen workforce development in Macon-Bibb County, according to a news release.

“Designed to expose students to a higher education environment from an early age, the school will aim to prepare students for college and career success by offering an academic curriculum that fosters critical thinking, creativity and leadership as well as experiential education and dual enrollment opportunities,” the release said.

“Wesleyan College has a proud history of providing innovative, high-quality educational opportunities to women,” Wesleyan College President Meaghan Blight said. “However, all too often, I hear from local high school students that they haven’t set foot on our campus. We know that exposing students to college from an early age eases the transition and prepares them for future success. Building these educational opportunities in our city will help to build our local workforce and strengthen our economy here in Macon-Bibb.”

Wesleyan College submitted a letter of intent to the Bibb County School District this week. If approved, the Wesleyan Academy will operate under the district’s jurisdiction and serve both boys and girls in kindergarten through grade 12.

“A strong workforce is essential to building our economy here in Macon-Bibb County,” Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller said. “That all starts with education. I welcome Wesleyan College’s leadership in this area and the school’s commitment to finding innovative new approaches to building our community.”

Stephen Adams, executive director of the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority, called the proposal a “win for both education and business.”

“We are excited to support this important initiative,” Adams said. “By equipping students with both the skills and the mindset for success, this proposed charter school will help ensure that our local industries have access to a well-trained, future-ready workforce.”

Updates on the school’s approval process and additional information are available at www.wesleyancollege.edu/academy.

According to the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia, two charter schools currently operate in Macon-Bibb County: Academy for Classical Education (ACE) and Cirrus Academy Charter School.