Drew Charter School in Atlanta: What Families Need to Know

Charles R. Drew Charter School is one of Atlanta’s most talked‑about public schools, especially for families focused on East Lake and the east side of Atlanta. If you’ve heard people say “Drew Charter Atlanta” and you’re trying to figure out what that actually means for you or your child, this guide walks through the essentials in clear, local terms.

Where Is Drew Charter School in Atlanta?

Drew Charter School is a public charter school located in the East Lake neighborhood of Atlanta, on the east side of the city.

Main campuses:

• Elementary Academy & Junior Academy (Grades K–8)
  301 East Lake Blvd SE
  Atlanta, GA 30317

• Senior Academy (High School, Grades 9–12)
  300 East Lake Blvd SE
  Atlanta, GA 30317

These campuses sit near East Lake Golf Club, the Villages of East Lake community, and are a short drive from neighborhoods like Kirkwood, Oakhurst, Edgewood, and parts of Decatur.

What Type of School Is Drew Charter?

Drew is a public charter school that operates in partnership with:

• Atlanta Public Schools (APS)
• The East Lake Foundation and other community partners

Key points:

• It is tuition‑free for eligible students.
• It is not a private school.
• Enrollment is based on zoned priority and lottery, not on academic testing or tuition.

Drew serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade and is often described as a “cradle‑to‑college” style model because it connects to early learning programs nearby and supports students through high school graduation.

Who Can Attend Drew Charter School?

Enrollment at Drew is shaped by its attendance zone and partnership with Atlanta Public Schools.

Priority for East Lake and Neighboring Areas

Drew is closely tied to the Villages of East Lake and surrounding neighborhoods. In practice, this usually means:

• Students who live in the defined attendance zone have priority for seats.
• Remaining seats, if available, can be filled through a lottery process open to other APS students who qualify under Drew’s enrollment rules.

Because boundaries and rules can change, families in Atlanta should:

• Check their home address using the Atlanta Public Schools school zone lookup tool.
• Confirm current attendance and lottery rules directly with Drew Charter School’s enrollment office.

Grade Levels and School Structure

Drew Charter is organized into three main divisions:

All three divisions are centered in the same East Lake area, making it easier for families with multiple children in different grades.

What Is Drew Charter Known For in Atlanta?

Drew Charter is widely recognized in Atlanta for several features:

1. Strong Focus on STEAM

Drew emphasizes STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math). For Atlanta families, that typically looks like:

• Project‑based learning in science and engineering.
• Access to technology and digital tools in the classroom.
• Integration of the arts alongside core math and science.

2. Community Revitalization Model

Drew is part of a larger effort to transform the East Lake community:

• The school was created alongside mixed‑income housing (Villages of East Lake).
• It’s often mentioned in conversations about neighborhood revitalization and education equity in Atlanta.

Families moving to or living in East Lake frequently consider Drew a central part of the neighborhood’s identity.

3. College and Career Readiness

At the Senior Academy, many families look for:

• College‑prep coursework.
• Guidance counseling for college applications.
• Opportunities for leadership, clubs, and activities that strengthen college applications.

While specific course offerings can change, Drew is generally positioned as a school that aims to prepare students for post‑secondary education or training.

How Enrollment at Drew Works for Atlanta Families

Because Drew is a charter school partnered with APS, enrollment works differently than a typical neighborhood school.

Step‑by‑Step Overview

1. Confirm Your Address and Zone
   Use APS tools or ask the APS Office of Student Assignment to see if your address is in Drew’s attendance area.

2. Review Drew’s Enrollment Timeline
   Drew typically follows a set application window each year, especially for new students and key transition grades (K, 6, 9).

3. Complete the Application
   Families submit an application, and, if needed, take part in the lottery process if applications exceed available seats.

4. Provide Required Documentation
   As with other APS schools, this usually includes:

   • Proof of residency in Atlanta/attendance zone (e.g., lease, utility bill)
   • Birth certificate or acceptable age/identity document
   • Immunization and health records, where required by Georgia law
   • Parent/guardian ID

Because rules can change, always check the current-year instructions from Drew or APS rather than relying on older information.

Transportation and Getting to Drew

For families in the Atlanta area, transportation is a major practical concern.

School Bus Options

Students who live inside APS and Drew’s attendance boundaries may be eligible for yellow school bus transportation, similar to other APS students. Eligibility usually depends on:

• Distance from the school
• Grade level
• Specific APS transportation policies

Families should confirm bus routes and eligibility with Atlanta Public Schools Transportation or Drew’s main office before the school year begins.

Driving and Drop‑Off

The East Lake area can be busy during commute times. Common tips from local parents include:

• Arrive early for morning drop‑off and afternoon pick‑up.
• Use only the designated carpool lanes and follow staff directions.
• Watch for pedestrians and cyclists, especially near the golf course and apartments.

MARTA and Public Transit

Drew Charter is not directly on a MARTA rail line, but:

• The East Lake MARTA Station (Blue Line) is a short drive away.
• Bus routes in DeKalb and east Atlanta may get you within a reasonable walking distance, depending on the route and schedule.

Families who rely on public transit often combine MARTA + short rideshare or carpool to reach the school.

School Day, Calendar, and Activities

Details vary by year, but families usually want to know the basics:

School Day

• Typical start and end times vary by academy (Elementary, Junior, Senior).
• Many families build routines around:
  • Before‑school arrival windows
  • After‑school pick‑up cutoffs
  • Extracurricular schedule blocks

Always confirm exact times with Drew’s official communications.

School Calendar

Drew generally follows a calendar that lines up closely with Atlanta Public Schools, including:

• Start and end dates of the school year
• Major breaks (fall break, winter break, spring break)
• State testing windows, teacher workdays, and holidays

APS publishes its calendar publicly, and Drew typically provides its own version with campus‑specific dates.

Extracurriculars and Athletics

Drew Charter offers a variety of sports, clubs, and fine arts opportunities, which can include:

• Team sports (seasonal, by grade and division)
• Music, band, and visual arts
• Academic clubs and interest‑based groups

Availability can change year to year, so parents often:

• Ask for an activities list at orientation or registration.
• Check if there are fees, uniforms, or transportation needs for specific activities.

How Drew Fits Into the Atlanta Public Schools System

Although Drew is a charter, it is still part of Atlanta Public Schools. For families in Atlanta, that means:

• Students are APS students, and APS policies (such as graduation requirements, testing, and many services) still apply.
• APS and Drew coordinate on:
  • Special education services
  • English language learning support
  • Student records and transfers

If a student transfers in or out of Drew to another APS school, records and eligibility typically flow through the APS central office and Drew’s own registrar.

Special Education and Student Support

Drew Charter, as a public school, is expected to provide:

• Special education services for students with qualifying needs.
• 504 plans for students who qualify for accommodations.
• Support for English language learners (ELL) where needed.

Families in Atlanta who have a child with learning differences or other needs can:

• Share existing evaluations or Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) with Drew.
• Request meetings to discuss services and supports.
• Coordinate with both Drew’s student support team and APS special education services.

Contacting Drew Charter School

For the most up‑to‑date and specific information, families should contact the school directly.

Typical main contacts include:

• Main Phone (Front Office)
  Look for the primary number listed for Charles R. Drew Charter School in Atlanta.

• Campus Addresses

  • Elementary & Junior Academy:
    301 East Lake Blvd SE, Atlanta, GA 30317
  • Senior Academy:
    300 East Lake Blvd SE, Atlanta, GA 30317

When you call or visit, it can help to be clear about:

• Your child’s current grade and home address (for zoning questions).
• Whether you are asking about enrollment, transportation, special education, or activities.

If You’re Comparing Schools in Atlanta

Many families in Atlanta look at Drew alongside other options such as:

• Their zoned neighborhood APS school
• Other APS charter schools
• Magnet or theme schools within APS
• Private or parochial schools

When evaluating Drew Charter in the Atlanta context, parents often consider:

• Location & commute from neighborhoods like East Lake, Kirkwood, or Decatur.
• Fit with their child’s interests, especially in STEAM and the arts.
• Continuity (K–12 pathway) if they want one school community over many years.
• Access to after‑school care and transportation that works with work schedules and traffic patterns.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Families

• Drew Charter School is a public, tuition‑free K–12 charter school located in Atlanta’s East Lake neighborhood, partnered with Atlanta Public Schools.
• Enrollment is tied to attendance zones and lottery processes, not tuition.
• The school is known in Atlanta for its STEAM focus, role in community revitalization, and college‑oriented approach in the upper grades.
• Families should always confirm zoning, enrollment timelines, transportation options, and daily schedules directly with Drew and APS, as these can change over time.
• For anyone living in or moving near East Lake, Drew Charter is a central part of the local educational landscape and is worth researching early in the school‑search process.