A charter school may be coming to Peach County after a group of residents send a letter of intent to the state and county board of educations.

The Byron Peach Charter High School Association wants to open a year round high school by September 2014. If approved, the school would focus on college prep classes, longer school days for study hall and an extended school year. The county has one high school and their graduation rate in 2011 was six percent lower than the state average. With only one choice for high school some suggest another option should be available to students and parents.

"It is focused on education as its primary objective and to prepare them for the life skills that they'll need in college and beyond," group member, B.J. Walker said.

Walker has three children and his oldest is a few years away from high school. While he said Peach County High School offers great opportunities to students, he and group members want another option.

"I want to be able to give my daughter the best education possible,” he said. “We believe that we can provide a different learning system based on a college preparatory school."

In addition to the longer days, students will have the opportunity to have dual enrollment and will have to complete community service as part of the graduation requirements.

The group is looking at a Byron city owned building for the possible location. A petition is expected to be submitted to the BOE in May.

"I think it'll be a better alternative to some but what it definitely is, it gives parents and children options," Walker said.

Walker wants to work closely with board members so both educational facilities can benefit one another if a charter is approved.

"I believe this charter high school can be a tool for the existing high school, we can work together," he said.

There will be a town meeting on Feb 21 at the Byron Municipal Complex at 6:45 p.m. to get public feedback on the project.