AI-powered charter school planned for Cobb County
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Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work, get around our cities, and plan life-changing events.
- The founder of a new charter school opening next year in Cobb County wants to use AI to change the way students learn.
Why it matters: The school reflects a broader push to integrate AI into classrooms — raising both innovation opportunities and concerns about student data privacy.
The latest: Power Public Schools plans to open in Mableton, initially serving sixth- and seventh-grade students, founder China Cardriche told Axios.
- The school aims to open in August 2027 with about 100 students.
- The Cobb County Board of Education approved Power Public Schools' charter petition in February, and Cardriche said the school is now preparing next steps with the state.
Zoom in: Cardriche said the school has signed a letter of intent to lease space at a church in Mableton but also has a "backup facility" in the South Cobb area.
- Power Public Schools, which will eventually serve students in sixth through 12th grades, anticipates opening its application process sometime in April.
How it works: Cardriche, who grew up and still lives in South Cobb, built the school's Power Learning AI software, which will tailor learning plans to individual students, focusing on each child's interests and strengths.
- The tool is designed to advance students by an average of 2.5 grade levels per year, she said.
- "What the teacher really has to do is be able to utilize the Power Learning AI software to do what the teacher does best, which is the human element of teaching," she said.
Friction point: Incorporating AI into public education raises questions about student privacy and how student data will be used.
- Cardriche said the school is seeking an independent review to determine whether it has the processes in place to ensure student data remains private.
- The school is also in the process of hiring a cyber security firm and contracting for an in-house data center to keep that information secure.
Yes, but: Rory Mir, director of open access and tech community engagement at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said integrating AI into any operation is concerning because it often relies on third-party vendors.
- In practice, that could mean sending information to the companies that built the technology.
- Federal laws protect the privacy of students' educational records — but AI could track metadata that reveals how often and when students use the program, Mir told Axios.
- "There are real potential data and surveillance harms that students face …if it's not done very carefully," he said.