Chattanooga, TN, April, 2025, Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy (CGLA) has been named a national winner in the 2025 Building Hope Impact Awards, earning top honors in the Community Engagement category. The award highlights CGLA’s commitment to equity, leadership, and academic achievement for girls in Chattanooga.
Hosted annually by Building Hope, a national nonprofit that supports charter schools, the Impact Awards honor schools that lead in community engagement, student empowerment, and educational innovation. CGLA was selected from over 150 nominees across 23 states and recognized as one of four winning schools nationwide.
As Tennessee’s first all-girls public charter school, CGLA provides a STEM-focused, college-preparatory curriculum designed to build young women’s confidence, leadership, and academic excellence.
CGLA’s wraparound services, academic rigor, and community partnerships contribute to the vitality of Chattanooga’s Highland Park neighborhood, positioning the school as both a center of learning and a catalyst for community development.
This recognition will be announced during the fourth annual Building Hope IMPACT Summit, which will be held May 6–7, 2025, in Miami, Florida.
“We believe every girl deserves access to an education that values her voice and nurtures her potential,” said Dr. Elaine Swafford, CEO of CGLA. “This national recognition fuels our passion to continue creating a place where young women grow into empowered leaders.”
During the summit, winners will share their stories and receive grant awards. In total, $160,000 in grants will be awarded across the four categories: Community Engagement, Educational Innovation, Student Empowerment, and the S. Joseph Bruno Model Charter School Award. About Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy: Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy (CGLA) is a public charter school for girls in grades 6-12. It provides a rigorous college-preparatory education in a supportive and nurturing environment, empowering young women to lead and succeed in college, careers, and life. For more information about CGLA and its programs, please visit CGLA’s website