Special needs charter school approved in ‘resource desert’ Clayton County

The Clayton County school board approved a proposal on Monday to establish a charter school in the district focused on students with special needs, a decision several parents say will bring services to a part of metro Atlanta that is under-resourced.

Tapestry Public Charter School was established in DeKalb County in 2014. It has a student population that’s 50% neurotypical and 50% neurodivergent. Half the students enrolled have been diagnosed with disorders like autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. It serves students in grades 6-12, who are chosen through a lottery system.

The board vote wasn’t unanimous, with two of the nine members voting against the proposal. Board member Sabrina Hill said she didn’t like the lottery admissions system and was concerned that students with more severe disabilities would be excluded.

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