VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - A group of South Georgia parents have not sat down since their school district voted to close one of Georgia’s only 10 early college academies.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘What is our next step?’: Valdosta Early College Academy closing its doors after nearly 2 decades <<

A parent-led survey found three major concerns with VECA closing: academic pathways for students, a lack of transparency from the district and the fear of losing VECA’s unique model.

“We bought into VECA,” JaTaryia Thomas, a VECA parent said. “Those that are there and bought into it. We’ve seen it. We’ve seen the success. We’ve seen the kids that came through there... We know what it is, and we understand the value of a VECA education, and to just put it from under us is wrong.”

Another parent, DeRon Johnson, said the lack of school choice is a concern.

“We wanted something stable, and once we landed on VECA, again, we were prepared to do the work to make sure our son stayed focused, stayed on task. And now there is no school choice. There’s only Valdosta High... That’s all that we have. There are no options there. As a parent now, what is our next step?” Johnson said.

After hearing from those community stakeholders, Valdosta City Schools (VCS) says a revised proposal will be presented to the Valdosta Board of Education that allows for a phased transition of the program rather than an immediate closure.

The district proposed that would remain together in grade-level cohorts and be relocated from the existing facility, which is scheduled for demolition due to its age and condition. This approach allows students who have already committed to the program to continue their educational journey while the district responsibly addresses the long-term challenges associated with the facility.

If approved by the Valdosta Board of Education, details regarding the transition and relocation will be communicated directly to all impacted students and families.

“This has always been about doing what is best for our students and families,” said Dr. Craig Lockhart, Superintendent of Valdosta City Schools. “We have listened carefully, and this revised approach reflects our commitment to The 3 V Way, Vision, Values, and Victory. We want to ensure that our students are supported, our families are heard, and that every child has a clear and strong path forward.”

For some families, the answer lies outside the district.

Prestige Preparatory School has collected nearly 350 pre-enrollment interest forms for just 100 available seats, and more than 1,100 petition signatures from families and community members.

The school’s founder, Dr. Keon Berry, reached out to the VCS board with a proposal for collaboration in December 2025, but the district did not approve the petition — also rejecting $750,000 in state funding guaranteed under Senate Bill 82.

Berry said that based on current statistics, charter school proposals are denied at the local level, but the mission for Prestige remains the same.

“For us, families turning to us as an option, the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia cares about enrollment. We are always thinking about how we can serve our population. When I first started sharing about Prestige, I said, ‘kids first,’ and that’s the reality—students first.”

Prestige has since advanced its application to the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia and is now in the state-level authorization process.

To learn more about Prestige Preparatory School click here.

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