Savannah school board keeps enrollment cap at 640 despite academy’s request for 1,000

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Savannah Classical Academy requested a 10-year charter renewal and asked to raise its enrollment cap from 640 to 1,000 students. The Savannah-Chatham County Public School Board instead approved an eight-year renewal Wednesday, keeping the cap at 640.

The academy’s CEO, Barry Lollis, said the decision forces the school to turn away families.

District review cited enrollment gap

A district review found Savannah Classical Academy met all five performance standards under its current charter. District leaders questioned the school’s enrollment numbers. The school claimed 661 students registered, but only 543 are enrolled today.

Board President Roger Moss said that gap was the deciding factor.

“I think hearing from some of the ‘complaints’ from board members, I think the board members are basically wanting them to continue to accept kids until they get to 640,” Moss said.

CEO calls cap a catch-22

Lollis said the cap creates a catch-22, as current students advance grades and take up seats, leaving fewer spots for new students. He said he’s dissatisfied with the eight-year approval, arguing it wasn’t granted for the right reasons.

“I believe they made that change to avoid a contract dispute... I want to believe it’s reaffirming the excellent work we do, but I really think it’s a cost mitigation practice,” Lollis said.

Board open to revisiting cap

Moss said he’s open to revisiting the academy’s enrollment cap but wants to see future enrollment numbers first.

“Making sure we’re basing decisions on facts and not feelings... the fact is they had accepted those kids,” Moss said.

The eight-year renewal is set to begin July 2027, pending Georgia state approval.