Leaders and scholars from Veritas Schools joined The "Wake Up With Dee Morning Show" with Dr. Dee Dawkins Haigler for an in-depth discussion on how the nonprofit Saturday school network is cultivating gifted and talented students and positioning them for long-term academic and economic success.
Chief operating officer and head of schools for Veritas Tameka Thomas alongside Sire current instructor and program alumnus together, outlined the organization’s mission, origin story and impact on students across Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.
Veritas Schools serves students in grades five through seven through its preparatory Saturday program and supports older students through the Veritas Debate Institute for grades 8-12. The curriculum emphasizes academic debate, social sciences, critical thinking and leadership development, while also exposing students to global travel, career readiness and corporate immersion opportunities.
Ms. Thomas explained that Veritas was founded by Brandon P. Fleming, a nationally recognized educator and debate instructor who sought to address the underrepresentation of talented Atlanta students in elite academic spaces. After training students with no prior debate experience, Fleming led them to compete and win at Harvard University’s international debate competition seven consecutive years.
“Our mission as a Saturday school is to position students for acceptance into elite colleges and universities,” Ms. Thomas said.
She emphasized that research consistently shows the college a student attends is one of the strongest predictors of economic mobility, and Veritas is designed to strategically prepare students for that reality. The program draws students from across the metro Atlanta area and intentionally seeks scholars who demonstrate curiosity, ambition and a desire to make a positive impact in their communities.
Ms. Thomas also addressed misconceptions surrounding gifted education, noting that many capable students are often overlooked or mislabeled in traditional school settings. Veritas actively recruits students who may be academically bored, under challenged or untapped in their abilities, offering them a rigorous and affirming environment to thrive.
“Veritas isn’t about stroking an ego,” Sire said. “It isn’t about pushing scholars along, but it’s truly about building on top of the foundation that scholars already have.”
Now 16, Sire serves as a preparatory institute instructor, helping guide students as young as nine through advanced coursework and enrichment experiences that mirror the rigor of the older cohorts.
The interview also highlighted upcoming opportunities for families to engage with Veritas, including a community workshop and an application rally marking the opening of the next admissions cycle. Parents and students were encouraged to explore the program, attend events and learn more about the organization’s approach to developing scholars academically, intellectually and socially.
To listen to the full interview, click the link above.