From Forest School to Founding Her Own: Dr. Christine Keck’s Journey
At The Forest School, we believe in empowering learners—and adults—to discover their calling and change the world. This year, we’ve had the privilege of witnessing that belief come to life in the journey of Dr. Christine (“Chrissy”) Keck, our Math Specialist and Founder-in-Residence, who has just reached a remarkable milestone: state approval to launch her very own school, The Meliora School, opening in Gwinnett County in Fall 2026.
A Calling Rooted in Equity and Innovation
Chrissy’s journey in education began with a deep commitment to equity. A Teach For America alumna, she started her career in the Mississippi Delta, where she saw firsthand the power of strong relationships and learner-centered approaches. Those early experiences ignited her passion for creating schools where every learner feels seen, challenged, and empowered to thrive.
Over the years, Chrissy has worked across districts, charters, and independent schools in places like Mississippi, Washington D.C., Denver, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. She has been part of founding teams, led successful turnarounds (including achieving 100% teacher retention for three years in a row), and supported learners and teachers with a relentless focus on both academic growth and school culture.
Her academic journey is equally impressive: Chrissy holds an Ed.D. in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbilt University, where she researched artificial intelligence, critical thinking, and instructional design. She also earned her M.A. from Columbia University’s Summer Principals Academy, and her B.A. from the University of Rochester.
A Year at The Forest School
In 2025, Chrissy joined us at The Forest School as a Math Specialist and Founder-in-Residence. Here, she has brought her wealth of experience to bear, coaching learners through real-world math challenges and modeling what it looks like to learn, lead, and launch. For us, it’s been inspiring to watch her practice what we preach: leaning into curiosity, iteration, and courage as she prepared to take her next big leap.
The Meliora School: A Vision for the Future
That leap became reality this summer when the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia officially approved The Meliora School. Launching in Fall 2026, this new public charter school will serve grades 6–12 in Gwinnett County. It will be the first 6th–12th grade charter in Gwinnett and the very first charter school in the nation to join the Khan Schools Network.
Meliora means “always in the pursuit of better” in Latin—and Chrissy’s vision for the school is just that: a better way to prepare young people for the future. Rooted in mastery-based learning, The Meliora School will empower students through project-based education with a special emphasis on entrepreneurship and computer science. The school will be part of the Khan Schools Network and supported by the Georgia Charter Schools Association’s Incubator program, positioning it at the forefront of innovative public education in the state.
In her own words, Chrissy described the approval as a reflection of community: “This approval is a reflection of your voices, your dreams, and your unwavering commitment to your children’s future.”
A Model of Courage and Impact
For our learners, Chrissy’s journey is more than just inspiring—it’s a living example of what happens when you follow your calling with persistence and heart. She has modeled what it means to step into the unknown, to build something that doesn’t yet exist, and to do it all in service of young people and their futures.
We are honored to have shared this season of Chrissy’s journey with her and cannot wait to see The Meliora School come to life in 2026. Her story reminds us of the Forest School mantra: find a calling that changes the world.