BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Alabama Public Charter School Commission approved a new Dothan charter school and a proposed Tuscaloosa County career technical school Monday, delayed two proposed Birmingham schools and rejected a separate Tuscaloosa appeal during a more than three-hour meeting dominated by one question: whether new and existing charter schools have enough students, money and planning in place to succeed.
Monday’s meeting was the first for two newly appointed commissioners: Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, who chairs the House Education Policy Committee, and former Alabama Republican Party chair Terry Lathan.
Commissioners also considered several amendment requests from existing charter schools, approving some expansions but denying others when staff raised concerns about enrollment, facilities, financial sustainability and whether schools were following the terms of their charter contracts.
The meeting showed both the state’s continued appetite for charter school growth and a more cautious approach from commission staff, who repeatedly emphasized that opening too quickly or expanding without adequate enrollment and facility planning could put schools and students at risk.
“We’ve got to put our students first,” Executive Director Logan Searcy told commissioners during discussion of proposed Birmingham schools. Searcy said staff supported the schools’ concepts but wanted more time for enrollment, board training and financial capacity to develop before students arrive.
The commission gave unanimous approval to Time Leadership Academy, a proposed K-8 charter school in Dothan, for a fall 2027 opening. Founder and executive director Nate Patterson said the school would focus on career discovery, school culture and whole-child development, with 136 families committed to enroll and a proposed facility near housing, afterschool programs and family support services.
Commissioners also unanimously approved C.A. Fredd Jr. Career and Technical Academy, a proposed Tuscaloosa County career technical charter school, for a 2028 opening. The school will focus on career pathways including advanced manufacturing, health care, construction and teaching. Like other schools approved for 2028, it must reach at least 80% of projected enrollment six months before opening.
The commission approved two proposed Birmingham charter schools – xS.T.R.E.A.M. Minds Academy and Florecer Community School – but delayed both until 2028 over concerns about enrollment, financial capacity and readiness to open.
xS.T.R.E.A.M. Minds founder Melissa Capeheart said the school will focus on STREAM – science, technology, reading, engineering, arts and math – along with personalized learning, small-group instruction and support for neurodiverse learners.
Florecer founder On’Draya Morris proposed Alabama’s first dual-language immersion charter school.
Both founders sought 2027 openings, but commissioners approved them for 2028 with a requirement that they reach at least 80% of projected enrollment six months before opening.
Searcy said both Birmingham schools have promise but need more time to build enrollment, strengthen governance and prepare financially. Alabama’s per-pupil funding system means charter schools that open with too few students can quickly face financial strain, she added.
The commission denied an appeal from Pathways in Education, a proposed Tuscaloosa charter school designed to serve students who are off track for graduation.
Tuscaloosa City Schools Superintendent Mike Daria said the district initially saw potential for a partnership but identified unresolved concerns in the application.
Searcy said commission staff also had concerns about the school’s funding model, year-round enrollment structure and governing board capacity.
Commissioners also considered requests from current charter schools to amend parts of their contracts.
Commissioners approved I Dream Big Charter School’s request to amend its charter contract to include eighth grade and add ninth grade next year, but not before warning schools against making major changes without commission approval. The school had already added eighth grade at the start of the current school year before receiving approval, prompting a corrective action plan.
The commission denied Magic City Acceptance Academy’s request to add an additional facility. School leaders said the Homewood charter school needs more space for band, theater, choir, mental health services and future growth, but staff cited declining enrollment and financial sustainability.
Searcy said the school’s enrollment had fallen from 335 students to about 280 this school year. Commissioners also raised questions about security because the school would occupy part of a building with other tenants.
Commissioners partially approved Freedom Prep’s amendment request, allowing the school to delay opening its middle school but denying its request to lower its enrollment target. They also denied Independence Preparatory Academy’s request to lower its enrollment target.
The commission is scheduled to meet again on May 11 to award five subgrants through its federal Charter School Program grant.
The state commission has authorized 14 charter schools that are currently operating. Four more are set to open at the start of the 2027-28 school year. Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that receive autonomy and flexibility from some regulations in exchange for accountability for the goals they set.
Read more: The state of charter schools in Alabama, April 19, 2026
Update 8:50 a.m.: Corrected the article to show it was Freedom Prep that had an amendment partially approved.