Novus SMART Academy (K-8) to Bring Innovative Two-Educator Model to Rutherford County Schools

NASHVILLE — Tennesseans for Student Success (TSS) released the following statement to thank members of the Rutherford County Schools Board of Education for approving the Novus SMART Academy (K-8) and supporting families who will benefit from having another public education option for their children.

“Rutherford County is among the fastest growing in the state, and we applaud school board members for recognizing the need for another high-quality public education option in a district where wait lists are frequently long for magnet and choice schools,” said TSS President and CEO Lana Skelo. “Novus SMART Academy (K-8) will fill that need with an innovative Two-Educator Model that provides a ratio of one teacher for every 12 students. This personalized learning option will help to support children with unique learning needs, and the school’s SMART focus will prepare students for our state’s evolving workforce demands. We’re excited to see what school founder Dr. Jeremy Sager can bring to students in Rutherford County.”

Earlier this year, our Quality Charter Review (QCR) conducted an independent analysis of Novus SMART’s application and found it met all state standards for approval. The QCR highlighted the following qualities in recommending the school’s approval.

• Two-Educator Model: The model utilizes a licensed educator and a teacher in residence to support personalized learning and small group instruction.
• Supporting Underserved Populations: The school’s application clearly defines and quantifies racial achievement gaps and makes a strong justification for a high-quality option serving diverse learners.
• SMART Focus: The school seeks to offer a science, math, arts, research, and technology (SMART) focus that is based on several high-performing public charter schools.
• Community Need: School leaders are targeting an area of Rutherford County that is experiencing overcrowding in current local school options, as well as lower academic proficiency when compared to state and district averages.

Novus SMART Academy will eventually serve more than 800 kindergarten through eighth-grade students. Leaders plan to open in the 2026-27 school year with kindergarteners and first-graders and then add an additional grade each year.

Tennesseans for Student Success is a statewide network of parents, guardians, teachers, and community leaders that champions economic freedom and mobility for all Tennesseans by supporting high-quality educational opportunities and working to ensure every Tennessee student has access to a great public education.