Our MissionTo transform lives through trauma-informed, flexible, and accessible education pathways that empower at-risk, underserved, and marginalized students to achieve academic success and lifelong opportunity.
VisionA world where every learner—regardless of their background or circumstances—has equitable access to a high-quality education, a high school diploma, and a hopeful future.
Our StoryTiers Free Academy was founded by Dr. Annise Mabry with a bold vision: to create a supportive, trauma-informed education community where every student has a second chance to succeed. Driven by her personal journey as a mother fighting to transform adversity into opportunity for her own children, Dr. Mabry turned her experience into a movement that reimagines what education can be.
What began as a deeply personal mission has grown into Georgia’s leading online homeschool cooperative, serving students who have been left behind by traditional systems—youth impacted by bullying, academic exclusion, trauma, and systemic barriers. Under Dr. Mabry’s leadership, Tiers Free Academy has empowered thousands of students across Georgia and beyond to earn homeschool high school diplomas, build real-world skills, and reclaim their futures. At Tiers Free Academy, Dr. Mabry’s belief remains at the heart of everything we do: education should meet students where they are—and take them where they dream to go |
1000+DIPLOMAS AWARDED
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12YEARS OF SERVICE
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40PARTNERSHIPS
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Dr. Annise Mabry |
Dr. Annise Mabry is the President of The Dr. Annise Mabry Foundation and the Executive Director of Tiers Free Academy. Dr. Annise Mabry holds a Ph.D. in K-12 Education, a MAEd in Adult and Online Education, a Post Master’s Certificate in Criminal Justice, and an Executive MBA in Business Communication.
Dr. Mabry is the author of the best-selling educational memoir Educational Disobedience and she is a Certified Adult Literacy Evaluator with a 20-year career in the field of online higher education. Dr. Mabry has held numerous academic titles ranging from Assistant Professor to Online Faculty Manager; and, she recently retired from her position as Dean of Graduate Studies. In addition to her extensive academic experience, she is also a GA Certified Peace Officer and Certified Emergency 9-1-1 Dispatcher. |
Leadership Team
Dr. Annise Mabry — Founder & Executive DirectorAward-winning author, education reformer, and advocate for at-risk youth, Dr. Mabry leads Tiers Free Academy with vision, compassion, and a commitment to innovation.
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Jessica Hembree — Homeschool Cooperative AdministratorJessica oversees daily operations, supports families through the enrollment and academic progress process, and ensures that students stay on track toward graduation success.
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Our PartnersCommunity partnership is integral to the success of our programs and students.
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Interested in supporting us?
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What does the name Tiers Free Academy mean?
The name of Tiers Free was born from my own frustration with trying to seek services for my children with disabilities when they attended public school. If you have ever had a child who needed intervention services in public school, you understand the struggle of having to exhaust one tier before you can receive support at another tier. As both a parent and credentialed educator, I built a program to remove the tiers of traditional intervention strategies and tears my children experienced.
Is Tiers Free Academy accredited?
No. Only public and private schools require accreditation for their diplomas to be recognized as a valid high school diploma by employers and colleges. Homeschool programs and homeschool cooperatives do not require accreditation. However, the program was developed by a highly experienced educator with a Ph.D. in K-12 education and an MAEd in adult and Online Education.
What Does the GA Declaration of Intent to Homeschool mean?
In Georgia, once the parent or guardian files a GA Declaration of Intent to Homeschool, the parent or guardian becomes your own school district in the eyes of the state. This means that as the parent or guardian, you are the principal of your homeschool program.
In other words, you become your own homeschool district when filing the GA Declaration of Intent to Homeschool. You get to make the rules. My role in the homeschool cooperative is to ensure that you have access to the curriculum that you want to use in your homeschool district.
In other words, you become your own homeschool district when filing the GA Declaration of Intent to Homeschool. You get to make the rules. My role in the homeschool cooperative is to ensure that you have access to the curriculum that you want to use in your homeschool district.
How much does the program cost?
Homeschool Academic Support and Alternative Diploma Program: $175 annual homeschool cooperative fee and the annual fee for online classes per student is $6,500.
Rural Communities Diploma Program: Fee depends on county of residence
Rural Communities Diploma Program: Fee depends on county of residence
Why are students so successful at Tiers Free?
Tiers Free learners are successful in our program because (1) we create educational safe spaces where students learn based on their academic strengths—not their weaknesses; and, (2) we remove the traditional learning tiers that trap many students in a failing academic cycle. We achieve this not by doing something for them, but by helping them do it for themselves. We believe that all parents deserve to see their children graduate.
Who can enroll?
We accept all students in grades K-12.
How does this program support learners with special needs?
Tiers Free Academy was built for learners with special needs. Dr. Mabry designed the pace of the program and selected the curriculum vendors based on how well her own two special needs children did in the program.
What makes Tiers Free Academy different?
Tiers Free learners succeed in our program because we focus on their academic strengths and not their weaknesses. We also remove the barriers that trap many students in a failing academic cycle. For our high school students, this means that we focus on one class at a time and use an adaptative curriculum that continuously fills in learning gaps.
When does the school year start and end?
Our homeschool year begins the Tuesday after Labor Day in September and ends the Monday after Mother’s Day in May.
