"With an unrelenting focus on expanding choice and access to high-quality educational options, Arete is inspiring the broader school system to improve, helping to transform public education in our nation."

 ̶  Jim Blew, Walton Family Foundation

About Arete

What’s in a name?

It's question frequently fielded here at Arete. Arete (ah-reh-tay) is an ancient Greek concept that teaches all activity is directed to an ultimate purpose. It is a life well lived, full of excellence and courage. Arete signifies potential realized and function fulfilled. The name best captures our vision for all Georgia students, particularly those from lower income families. Learn more about our name.

Arete Scholars Fund is a state-approved Student Scholarship Organization (SSO) that administers the Georgia Tuition Tax Credit Scholarship Program for low‐income families. Through contributions from corporate and philanthropic partners, Arete awards need-based K4-12 scholarships and empowers parents to choose a school that best suits their child's unique gifts, talents, and learning needs.

Arete scholarships are based on the income guidelines for the federal free and reduced lunch program (FRL) and range from $2,500 to $5,000 per year. Recipients are required to requalify each year.

Access to high-quality education is a right, not a geographical privilege.

There are few places where the promise of equal opportunity falls flatter than the education of low-income students. Often trapped in a learning environment that is ineffective, unchallenging and unsafe, students who qualify for federal free and reduced lunch lag far behind their peers in academic performance and graduation rates. In 2009, 82% of Georgia's FRL-eligible 4th graders scored below proficient in reading.

Founded in 2010, Arete has awarded over $11 million in K4-12 scholarships to deserving Georgia students. The results are creating opportunities where none existed, and despair is giving way to hope for families without the means to pursue child-centered educational options.

Every student in Georgia deserves an excellent education.

Through the Georgia Tuition Tax Credit Scholarship Program, Arete is working to help break the generational cycle of poverty and underachievement by providing low-income students with greater access to high-quality educational opportunities. Arete offers an approach to the program that is uniquely need based, family focused, and financially responsible.

Together with a team of corporate and foundation supporters, Arete raises funds for K4-12 scholarships that are awarded directly to families, thus creating the greatest range of freedom in choosing a school. Scholarships are based solely on need and income and may be used at any eligible and participating private school in Georgia.