Brighten Academy Charter School Announces Openings in 7th & 8th Grades

Brighten Academy has several open slots for 7^th & 8^th grade middle school students.  These openings will be filled on a first come first serve basis.  That is noteworthy considering Brighten typically has 250 students on its wait list.      

Brighten’s middle school families take advantage of:

• Smaller classes for more individualized instruction.
• Focus on fine arts with an artist in residence instructing the students.
• A school built on community where teachers, parents, students, and administration all take a vested interest in the student’s education.
• A proven record of academic excellence.
• Foundation in the 7 C’s: Commitment, Character, Curiosity, Critical Thinking, Culture, Community, Creativity.

Brighten is a Public School and a Charter School.  There is no cost to attend Brighten.  Admission is open to any Douglas County student K-8^th grade.  Students are selected via a lottery so it is equally accessible to any family.  There is no bus service for Brighten so parents are responsible for transportation.  Parents commit to 20 hours of service to Brighten each year. 

Brighten recently announced plans to seek a new home that will significantly enhance its ability to serve student’s extracurricular needs, especially for middle school students.  Plans include a gymnasium, more accessible parking lot, expanded room for our art, music, and foreign language classes, a new computer lab, cafeteria and stage. 

Lisa McDonald, Brighten director, said, “We are excited that we have the opportunity to serve more students from Douglas County.”  “Over the last 6 years we have proven that our students excel in all academic areas.”  “A new facility will enhance our ability to provide innovative programs so our students continue to rank among the top performing schools in the state.”

As the first Charter School in Georgia founded by teachers, the passion to nurture success of every student is unyielding.  The Charter School environment allows teachers to meet every child where they are when they come to Brighten, and tailor the curriculum to ensure each child’s individual success.

Laura Rogers, 7^th & 8^th grade Language Arts teacher, says, "I enjoy teaching at Brighten because our small size allows me to really individualize instruction for my students.” 

Brighten’s focus on academic achievement pays off.  Here is an example of how Brighten’s 8^th grade ranks compared to all 540 public middle schools statewide:

2011 - 2012 CRCT Scores
Reading - 28th: Top 5%
ELA - 29th: Top 5%  (English / Language Arts)
Math 44th: Top 8%
Science - 146th: Top 27%
SS - 52nd: Top 10% (Social Studies)

Brighten alumnae continue to be successful; Brighten’s first 8^th grade class will graduate from high school this year.  Douglas County’s IB program is recognized as one of the most rigorous academic programs for high school students in the county.  Last year 22 of the 25 students who applied from Brighten Academy were accepted into the IB program. 

“Brighten is about developing the whole student,” Mrs. Rogers continues.  "Brighten Academy Middle School allows students opportunities for leadership.”  “Because of our smaller environment, students are able to affect change within the school through student-driven initiatives.”  “It is powerful."

As far as extracurricular programming Brighten recently welcomed Gwen Davenport as Brighten’s Artist in Residence who will teach art classes to our middle school students.  Brighten has a new expanded band program. 

Even though Brighten doesn’t currently offer sports for its middle school students, the discipline, respect and hard work that Brighten students carry forward has led them to be highly successful in high school sports. 

7^th & 8^th Grade enrollment for the available slots in the current school year is open NOW.  If you are a parent of a 7^th or 8^th grader and an elementary school student, call and inquire about advantages for sibling enrollment. 

Please attend Brighten’s Middle School open house on September 10, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Call 770-615-3680 for more information about enrolling your middle school student at Brighten Academy.

Brighten Academy is located at 3264 Brookmont Parkway, Douglasville, GA 30135.