Exploring Life & Business with China Cardriche-Clements of Power Public Schools

Today we’d like to introduce you to China Cardriche-Clements.

Hi China, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story starts right here in South Cobb, where I was raised. I’m a proud graduate of the same community I now serve — and I know firsthand both the beauty and the barriers our students face. Growing up, education changed the trajectory of my life. That foundation carried me from Mableton to Harvard University, where I studied Applied Mathematics and Economics, and later to a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Trinity University.

After college, I became a teacher, then a high school principal. I saw brilliance in my students every single day — but I also saw a system that wasn’t built to nurture it fully. Too many children were being defined by their circumstances instead of their potential. That realization became my calling.

So I took a leap of faith. I founded Power Public Schools, a tuition-free 6–12 early-college charter school launching in South Cobb, with a mission to excite, enlighten, and empower ALL students to exemplify their excellence. Power is more than a school — it’s a movement. We’re building a model that blends AI innovation, early college access, and community partnership to ensure students graduate with college credits, career certifications, and confidence in their purpose.

But the vision doesn’t stop there. We’re also expanding internationally through Power Public Schools Africa, starting in Uganda, to bring access to excellence and innovation to students around the world.

It hasn’t been easy — every step has required faith, resilience, and community. But I truly believe I’m doing the 1%, and God is doing the 99%. And when faith, purpose, and preparation meet, anything is possible.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not a smooth road — but a purposeful one. Every challenge has been a part of the refining process.

When I first stepped out to launch Power Public Schools, I knew it would require more than just vision — it would take faith, endurance, and a willingness to build from the ground up. There were moments when the funding didn’t match the dream, when timelines shifted, and when it felt like every door was closing at once. But I’ve learned that God’s “not yet” is never a “no.” It’s preparation.

One of the biggest challenges has been navigating the charter authorization process while also building community trust and securing resources. Starting a school isn’t just about paperwork — it’s about people, and convincing a community that you’ll deliver something different and lasting. There were times I heard “You’re dreaming too big,” but I’ve never believed in shrinking my vision to fit others’ comfort zones.

Another struggle has been balancing it all — from working full time to fundraising, managing partnerships, and still showing up as a wife, daughter, and friend. But through it all, my faith and support system kept me grounded. I often remind myself that I’m doing the 1%, and God is doing the 99%.

Every challenge has taught me patience, humility, and persistence. It’s reminded me that legacy work is never easy — but it’s always worth it. Power Public Schools was never meant to be easy to build; it was meant to be transformational.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Power Public Schools?
At its core, my work is about creating access, excellence, and legacy through education. I’m the Founder and visionary behind Power Public Schools, a tuition-free 6–12 early-college charter school set to open in South Cobb.

Our official mission is simple yet powerful:

“At Power Public Schools, we believe that ALL students possess a power of intrinsic intelligence, and it is our mission to excite, enlighten, and empower ALL our students to exemplify their excellence.”

That statement captures everything we stand for. Power Public Schools is not just about academics—it’s about unlocking the brilliance that already exists within every child. Our model integrates AI-powered personalized learning, early college access, and real-world leadership development so that every student graduates with both college credits and career certifications, ready to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

But Power isn’t just a school—it’s a movement. Our vision extends beyond Georgia. We’re building the first international model of Power Public Schools Africa, starting in Uganda, with plans to expand into Ghana and Liberia. Our goal is to connect students across continents through innovation, opportunity, and shared purpose—because brilliance is everywhere, but access is not.

Getting here has been far from easy. From funding barriers to navigating complex authorization processes, there have been countless obstacles. But every challenge has strengthened my faith and deepened my conviction that this work is divine. I’ve learned that when your purpose is aligned with God, the provision always follows.

I’m most proud of how faith, innovation, and community intersect in everything we do. Power Public Schools reflects the voice of the South Cobb community—parents, students, and leaders who dreamed of a school that prepares students to lead with both competence and compassion.

What I want the world to know is this: I’m not just building schools—I’m building legacy. Power Public Schools is a living testimony that when faith meets purpose and vision meets community, transformation becomes inevitable.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
For me, faith itself is the ultimate risk — stepping out into something bigger than what you can see and trusting that what’s on the other side is worth it. Every major turning point in my life has come from choosing faith over fear.

Leaving a secure job as a high school principal to launch Power Public Schools was, without question, one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken. There was no blueprint, no guarantee, and no safety net — just a deep conviction that God was calling me to build something transformative for students in South Cobb and beyond. People often said, “What if it doesn’t work?” And my answer was always, “But what if it does?”

Risk, to me, isn’t about recklessness — it’s about alignment. When your heart, your purpose, and your faith are in sync, the risk becomes obedience. I don’t take blind leaps; I take called ones.

Every time I’ve said “yes” to a risk — whether it was pursuing the BES Fellowship, forming a founding board from scratch, pitching to investors, or expanding the vision internationally through Power Public Schools Africa — it’s stretched me, humbled me, and prepared me for the next level.

I’ve learned that comfort never produces change. Risk is where faith grows, character develops, and miracles happen.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.powerps.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572835477871
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chinacardriche/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powerpublicschools