Letter from Kelly Dennis
Hello ANCS Families!
I often get asked what has kept me at Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School for the past 24 years. The answer isn’t just a single moment or milestone—it’s a story of community, purpose, and deep-rooted belief in what we are doing together.
When I first came to ANCS, it wasn’t just a job. It felt like stepping into something being built with intention: a school where children are known, where families are partners, and where learning doesn’t come from a script, but from real human connection. I knew early on that this was a place where my work mattered, not just in theory, but in the daily lives of the families and the neighborhood we serve.
That belief was tested in one of the hardest moments in our school’s history—the fire that destroyed the building. I remember the shock, the grief, the surreal feeling of seeing something so carefully nurtured literally in ruins. But I also remember what came next: we didn’t fall apart. We held on to each other. Teachers, families, students, volunteers, neighbors—everyone leaned in instead of walking away. We shared the determination that ANCS was not defined by a building, but by the people who called it home.
Staying after the fire was never even a question for me. If anything, it strengthened my dedication. I witnessed resilience come alive. I saw staff show up with grit and compassion. I saw families carry one another. I saw students learn, adapt, grow, and continue to feel safe and seen, even in temporary spaces. And ultimately, I saw our school rise—stronger, more connected, and more certain of who we are.
Early on, we were a much smaller school, and like many of us in those early days, I wore many hats. As ANCS expanded, some of the responsibilities I held were handed off to new roles and new people, which is exactly what growth looks like. Over time, my role shifted into two that remain especially close to my heart: Registrar and Director of AfterCare. As Registrar, I meet families at the very beginning of their journey with us, helping to welcome them into the community I care so much about. And in AfterCare, I get to create a space where students can feel safe, supported, and free to be themselves at the end of the school day. These roles let me stay connected to both the operational heartbeat of the school and the everyday lives of the children we serve.
ANCS is where I have built relationships that span generations. I’ve watched children grow into confident, thoughtful young people, and sometimes into parents bringing their own kids back through our doors or as staff, who continue to carry on the sense of community that ANCS offered them. I’ve worked alongside people who believe in equity, curiosity, collaboration, and joy. I have been supported, challenged, and changed by this community. And I hope I have given just as much in return.
For 24 years, ANCS has not only been my workplace—it has been a part of my identity. I have stayed because I believe in what we do. I have stayed because this community is family. I stayed because I have seen what we can overcome, and I know what is possible when we stay rooted in trust, love, and the belief that all children deserve to be known and valued.
This school has shaped my life. And in every season, from growth, change, challenge to celebration, I remain proud to be part of this community. Once a Wolf, always a Wolf!
Kelly