South Fulton

County could soon see a unique charter school established that would

offer parents and students a choice in their education options.

The Academy

of America wants to open the Academy of Fulton near the Tri-Cities area.

Initially, the school would serve 250 students in kindergarten through

sixth grade. Later on, the school would add grades seven and eight.

The Academy

of America was founded in 1984 in Detroit as a nonprofit educational

corporation. Since then, it has opened several charter schools around

the country.

In addition

to offering the standard curriculum for students, the school features

an entrepreneurial curriculum. In each core subject, students will also

learn business principles and entrepreneurial skills.

The school

will also offer career, business and job opportunities for students.

Mike Payne,

associate superintendent for instructional services for the Fulton County

school System, was meeting with officials from the academy this week

and planned to get more information on the school, such as a specific

site and more details on the curriculum.

The Fulton

County Board of Education would have to approve the school's application

before it could start accepting student applications and building a

facility.