As we step into 2026, the landscape of public education across Metro Atlanta is evolving rapidly, shaped by enrollment shifts, stretched resources, and significant policy change. In these pivotal moments, what matters most is clarity of purpose. That’s the focus of RedefinED Atlanta’s 2026–28 Strategic Plan and our work this year: translating momentum into durable impact for students and communities.
At its core, our new three-year strategy is a bold commitment to ensure that 12,000 additional students across the region gain access to trajectory-changing public schools that equip them with opportunities, outcomes, and choice-filled lives that defy the boundaries of zip codes.
“We will continue to collaborate with district, charter, and civic leaders to keep students at the center of difficult decisions, focusing on placement quality, staffing readiness, and transparent monitoring of outcomes.” — Angira Sceusi, Executive Director
Why This Strategy Matters Now
Today’s education ecosystem is marked by structural inequity and fractured systems. With nearly 805,000 public school students, Metro Atlanta continues to see uneven outcomes tied to where children live and learn, outcomes that often track long-standing disparities in access and opportunity.
In this moment of urgency and possibility, RedefinED Atlanta is doubling down on what we know matters: strong schools, aligned systems, and community-grounded leadership. Our 2026–28 strategy is built around that belief and structured to drive action across four integrated priorities, all backed by a 3-year, $36 million commitment.
Strategic Priorities: What We’re Focusing On
1. Advance System Improvement
Strengthening the conditions that allow every school to succeed, from talent pipelines to governance to accountability systems that keep student outcomes at the center. This means working alongside districts, policymakers, and communities to reshape policies and practices that strategically hinder equitable access.
Initiatives and investments include:
- Aligning community voice with system-level decisions, including state-level research and policy.
- Partnering with districts on instructional models and educator and instructional supports that drive student growth.
2. Launch & Grow Trajectory-Changing Public Schools
Our aim isn’t just to open schools. We are working to ensure meaningful access and long-term success for students and families. In 2026, two newly approved schools—the Academy for Innovation in Medicine in Atlanta and Tapestry Public Charter School in Clayton County—will transition from planning to execution, with enrollment and Day 1 readiness as critical markers of success.
Across the three years, we’ll:
- Support the launch, scale, or replication of 2–3 new high-quality public schools annually.
- Build leadership capacity and the ecosystems these schools need to thrive.
3. Elevate Insights & Galvanize Around Best Practices
Data, research, and lived experience matter. As Metro Atlanta’s insight leader, we’re committed to generating and communicating evidence that helps educators and decision-makers understand what works and flag where change is needed.
This work includes:
- Community dialogues and the A.R.I.S.E. Fellowship program.
- Research and partnerships to strengthen data-driven instruction and share actionable insights, including our suite of convenings and the Atlanta Schools Data Project.
4. Invest & Activate
None of this happens without aligned and sustained resources. Over the next three years, RedefinED Atlanta will mobilize philanthropic, school, and community support in ways that are coordinated, transparent, and tied directly to outcomes.
This looks like:
- Performance-based dashboards and investment models.
- Strengthened financial and operational systems within the organization.
Learn more about the details of our Three-Year Strategic Priorities.
What This Means for 2026
This year marks the first chapter in a broader strategic journey, and the work ahead has both urgency and promise. Districts are redefining boundaries, communities are adapting to closures and consolidations, and new policy frameworks will move from research to blueprint to reality. The question we’re asking is simple yet essential: how do these shifts translate into real resources and better outcomes for students across Metro Atlanta?
Our answer focuses on collaboration, evidence, and student-centered decision making. Whether launching schools, strengthening systems, or elevating the insights that shape effective practice, this strategic plan provides a roadmap for impact that endures beyond a single year.
Join the Movement for Equitable Education
The challenges confronting public education are real, but they are not insurmountable. With a clear strategy, stronger systems, and the power of collective action, Metro Atlanta can expand access to high-quality learning opportunities and redefine what’s possible for every student.
Stay connected as we unpack this strategy in action—from school launches to policy insights to community partnerships—and join us in building the future our students deserve.