Jocelyn Alter

DeKalb Brilliance Academy is a free, public charter school serving 365 students in grades K-4 (expanding to K-8) in South DeKalb, growing to serve 700 students. What sets DeKalb Brilliance Academy apart is our innovative Real-world Project-based Learning approach. Each semester, our students collaborate with professionals—scientists, doctors, engineers—to explore a different career path through a semester-long real-world project. For example, our Kindergarteners design community parks, while first graders create health improvement proposals for South DeKalb. Our career-connected learning approach not only strengthens academic skills but also fosters collaboration, critical thinking, and a sense of purpose. By integrating rigorous academics with social-emotional learning, we empower our students to become leaders in any field they choose.