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VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) — Parents in South Georgia will have another school option coming next school year, Fall 2027.

Prestige Preparatory School will be accepting students from the city of Valdosta, Lowndes, Lanier, and Brooks counties.

WALB previously reported that the school’s founder, Dr. Keon Berry, reached out to the Valdosta City School board with a proposal for collaboration in December 2025, but the district did not approve the proposal. The petition advanced to the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) for approval.

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On July 29, SCSC Board of Commissioners approved the petition for Prestige Preparatory School.

“Its surreal, more than anything I am grateful, I am grateful to God. I am grateful for my family right here in Valdosta, my wife grew up in Valdosta so my family is here and I am grateful for them. I am grateful to our supporters from community leaders to pastors,” Berry said. “We have engaged over 1,000 stakeholders. I am grateful to our parents and families. But most importantly I’m grateful to the board of directors. We are doing something that is incredible for the community and I’m just excited for the direction that everything is headed.”

SCSC Board of Commissioners approved petitions for three additional new start-up charter schools in Georgia: Atlantic Connections Academy, Middle Georgia Preparatory Academy, and Spalding Academy. Read the full announcement here.

“These approvals show how charter schools can address local needs while advancing broader priorities for public education in Georgia,” said SCSC Executive Director Donovan Head in a statement. “We look forward to supporting these founding teams as they work to open high-quality schools for the students and communities they will serve.”

Following the SCSC board approval, Berry was voted as the Chief Executive Officer and first headmaster by Prestige Preparatory School Board of Directors.

Prestige will be the second charter school in Valdosta, serving students in kindergarten to eighth grade. Enrollment will open soon for the Fall 2027 school year.

To learn more about Prestige Preparatory School click here.

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