AUGUSTA, Ga. () – A school dedicated to special children is relocating. SOAR Academy is set to transition into a former convent situated in the Green Meadows neighborhood of Augusta.
Hurricane Helene severely damaged SOAR Academy’s original building. They are currently using a temporary facility at Pineview Church. Next month, they will finalize the purchase of their new campus at the former convent on Eagle Drive.
The Augusta Planning Commission is facilitating this move during this week’s meeting. This relocation has been anticipated since Helene inflicted considerable damage on their previous building in Martinez.
“Since then, we’ve been thinking about permanent roots and really stepping up our efforts with finding permanent roots,” said Kenisha Skaggs, Founder of Soar Academy Augusta. “And so we’re excited that we are finally approaching the finish line.”
Neighbors near the former convent are welcoming SOAR with open arms.
“We are excited and optimistic. Soar Academy would be a positive addition to the community based on their mission statement,” said Clarence Kendrick, a resident.
Since 2011, SOAR Academy has been open to neurodivergent and underserved students. The school gives students a chance to be hands-on in the classroom. Instructors create customized learning plans for each student based on their individual needs.
“We do service again the huge population of students with autism. Having that sensory support built into the school all day. You’re not waiting for an IEP. You’re not waiting for the diagnosis. The students can access learning the way they need to,” said Skaggs/
The new campus will enable them to revive the activities they had at their old school and expand their programs.
“Our goal is to build an outdoor learning center, and so we’re going to have different portables that are ecosystems. One will be a STEM focus. One will be an animal focus. One will be a water therapy focus. And the idea is that students reconnect with nature when they’re learning and not on their devices as much and just getting back to the basics,” said Skaggs.
They also want to open a charter school on the nearly 21 acres at the new site, providing a tuition-free option for students who can’t afford to attend SOAR.
“We looking for our charter petition to be approved over the next 60 to 90 days. So if anyone’s interested in their child potentially enrolling, we would love for you to go to Soar Discovery Charter Academy to sign our petition to support this approval of the school in Augusta,” Skaggs.
They plan to open the new campus in January of 2026.
