Charter Denial Has Family Concerned About Their Children's Education

Cynthia and Doug Lucas first decided to put their daughter, Christina, in because they were looking for structure. “We wanted a more balanced education for her,” Cynthia said. “We looked at private schools, public and charters and the charters had that structure we were looking for.”

Christina, 14, was the first of their three daughters to attend FSA. Faith Lucas, 12, is currently enrolled in Fulton Science Academy and the youngest, Sarah, 10, attends the elementary school, Fulton Sunshine Academy.

When the Lucas’ heard that the school they had been involved in for the last four years might be shut down, they felt concern for the future of their children’s education.

“I was concerned in the sense that—at FSA I have that comfort zone,” Doug said. “I know that my children are receiving a quality education there. I think it’s surprising that we are even in this situation but it’s good for the children to see that a good education is not a given.”

Doug completed his primary education in New York, where he says he received the best education he could. “I think I got what I could get,” He said. “And coming from my family education was critical. So I went to school even though they weren’t the best, but luckily I had teachers who cared.”

Cynthia and Doug feel something that keeps FSA above the average school is the support from the parents and commitment of the faculty.

Faith said the teachers created comfortable learning environments. “I like raising my hand in class,” she said. “It’s fun and all my teachers are great.”

 The Lucas’ did not seem too anxious about the possible closing however. “We don’t have anything against public schools,” Cynthia said. “FSA just happened to be a charter school. And we put our kids there because obviously something about this school works. FSA is our constant. We’ve been at Montessori, we looked at private schools but FSA is just the best for us. If we found something better then we’d consider it.”

 Cynthia, who received her bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M in Computer and Information Systems, said she does not take the opportunities FSA grants her children lightly. “When a child needs something FSA can bring in the help no matter what,” she said. “They don’t have to apply for a waiver to do it- when you have involved teachers then there is less chance the child will fall through the cracks.” 

Christina is currently enrolled in Roswell High School where she feels FSA has helped her a lot. “FSA prepared me for public school because I already know about a lot of the things we are taught,” she said.

Cynthia also added that since her involvement with the Spanish track at FSA, Christina has now started teaching herself Japanese.

Another source of anxiety about the possible closing, is the social atmosphere other schools may present. “Something about FSA that is so remarkable is that—for the kids—it’s cools to be smart, and the kids like being smart,” Doug said. “What we’re most concerned about is that our children get the chance to reach their potential. The anxiety I feel about my girls having to attend a different school is that I don’t know if they’ll be pushed somewhere else they way FSA pushes them.”

Faith is involved in such clubs as Top Talk (a public speaking club), Debate Team and Aviation Club. Doug, who works as a vice president at a real estate company, said they work hard to make sure they’re children are exposed to many subject as possible. “They have exposure to so much whether it be robotics, drama, band—kids get a chance to explore,” Doug says.

Sarah is in the robotics club at the elementary school where she said they learn about more than just robotics. “We have sayings like ‘we are a team,’” Sarah said. “‘We share our experiences,’ and ‘what we discover is more important than what we win.’”

“We just want the choice,” Cynthia said. “We want the option to send our children to FSA or somewhere else—it’s doesn’t matter but we should be allowed to have options.”

While Doug and Cynthia do feel anxiety about the current status of their school they believe FSA will be there next fall.

 “We have full confidence in FSA,” Doug said. “And I feel like we’ll figure it out and next year I think we’ll be at FSA.”