Gwinnett Daily Post

SUWANEE -- New Life Academy of Excellence, which was one of the first-ever startup schools in Gwinnett County, got approval from the local board of education this week to continue as a charter school.

The Gwinnett County Public Schools board of education unanimously approved a five-year charter Thursday for New Life Academy of Excellence during its monthly work session.

The next step is approval from the Georgia Department of Education Charter School Division, which could come in spring 2012.

Steven Flynt, associate superintendent, presented information Friday to the board of education and recommended renewal of the school's charter.

Flynt commended school founder and governing board member Alphonsa Foward for "all the hard work he's been doing over the years."

The school, which opened in 2007, began with a K-3 student population and has added one grade level each year. The school anticipates enrolling eighth grade students next academic year.

School board member Louise Radloff said she was "very pleased with the makeup of the students. It's a very diverse, mixed group of students."

With a campus in Norcross and one in Duluth, the school uses a unique focus on the Chinese language, studying its arts and culture as well.

To attend, students of the two-campus school must be residents of Gwinnett County.

New Life Academy of Excellence could provide education for as many as 1,000 students by the 2012-13 school year.

For more information, visit www.newlifeacademyga.com.