Our Policy Work Championing Higher Standards Helping students reach their full potential. Fair and Quality Learning Measurements Quality assessments that show the path to improvement. Transparent Reporting to build trust Holding stakeholders accountable to ensure student success. Innovating in education Keeping the focus on growing student opportunities. Workforce Readiness Preparing students for the real world — and a successful future.
Initiatives Tristar Reads Scholarship program to encourage summer reading. Teachers for Student Success Empowering teachers to advocate for stronger schools. Tennesseans for Students Success Action Putting education at the forefront of political campaigns. Quality Charter Review Expert analysis of proposed public charter schools. TN SuccessCard How TN leaders are voting on education legislation. 2026 Gubernatorial Candidate Tracker The latest from the 2026 campaign trail.
Impact Impact Report What we’ve accomplished, and how.
Who We Are Our Team Strategic problem-solvers eager to help Tennessee students.
Our Policy Work Championing Higher Standards Helping students reach their full potential. Fair and Quality Learning Measurements Quality assessments that show the path to improvement. Transparent Reporting to build trust Holding stakeholders accountable to ensure student success. Innovating in education Keeping the focus on growing student opportunities. Workforce Readiness Preparing students for the real world — and a successful future.
Initiatives Tristar Reads Scholarship program to encourage summer reading. Teachers for Student Success Empowering teachers to advocate for stronger schools. Tennesseans for Students Success Action Putting education at the forefront of political campaigns. Quality Charter Review Expert analysis of proposed public charter schools. TN SuccessCard How TN leaders are voting on education legislation. 2026 Gubernatorial Candidate Tracker The latest from the 2026 campaign trail.
Impact Impact Report What we’ve accomplished, and how.
Who We Are Our Team Strategic problem-solvers eager to help Tennessee students.
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Quality Charter Review

Dive into an expert analysis of new public charter school applications in Tennessee, where we evaluate each proposal’s academic, capacity operations, and financial plan. 

We created this annual review to provide communities with an opportunity to discuss the quality of proposed public charter schools and ensure elected officials are making informed decisions that serve all Tennessee students.

Trimble Academy logo featuring an open book with a globe, laurel leaves, and stars, set against a grayscale background of a school entrance.

Trimble Academy

Dyer County Schools, Trimble

QCR Recommendation: Approve
Current Status: Trimble Academy proposes a K-8 school for 187 students in the former Trimble School building, with a mission to cultivate the body, mind, and heart of each student in a traditional setting and an immersive outdoor environment through a classical, content-rich education that nurtures moral and civic virtue. The school was denied by Dyer County on July 7th and has appealed to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission. The Commission will make a determination in the fall.
Read the QCR
Three white stars in a dark blue circle with a red border, set against a pink background.

Digitech Academy of Excellence

Jackson-Madison County Schools, Jackson

Approved by JMCSS April 2026 – Scheduled to Open August 2027 

QCR Recommendation: Approve
Current Status: Digitech Academy of Excellence proposes a K-8 school for 600 students, with a mission to provide an innovative, student-centered educational environment that integrates digital learning with strong academic foundations and excellence. The school was approved by the J-MCSS in April 2026, and is scheduled to open in August 2027.
Read the QCR
Gestalt Community Schools logo featuring a green open book with leaves as pages, above the name in bold gray letters.

East & North Jackson Academy

Jackson-Madison County Schools, Jackson

Approved by JMCSS April 2026 – Scheduled to Open August 2027 

QCR Recommendation: Approve
Current Status: North Jackson Academy proposes a K-8 school for 720 students, with a mission to create a school dedicated to the idea that all scholars can be well-known, can use their voices, and can learn at high levels. The school is sponsored by Gestalt Community Schools which operates five public charter schools in Memphis. The school was approved by the J-MCSS in April 2026, and is scheduled to open in August 2027.
Read the QCR
Interlocking abstract design with orange, blue, and dark blue curved shapes on a transparent background.

Opportunity Youth Academy

Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Memphis

QCR Recommendation: Incomplete
Current Status: Opportunity Youth Academy proposes an Opportunity School for 300 9-12th grade students, with a mission to help students ages 16-21 in grades 9-12 to master the essential skills crucial for success in postsecondary education, career, and community leadership within a global society. The school has applied to Memphis-Shelby County Schools as an Opportunity School and is awaiting an initial decision.
Read the QCR
Three white stars in a dark blue circle with a red border, set against a pink background.

Memphis Elites STEAM Academy

Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Memphis

Did Not Appeal MSCS Denial

QCR Recommendation: Incomplete
Current Status: Memphis Elites STEAM Academy proposes a K-8 school for 360 students with a mission to ignite the potential of every scholar by providing a transformative, inquiry-based education rooted in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). The school has applied to Memphis-Shelby County Schools but did not appeal their initial denial and will not be moving forward.
Read the QCR
Orange and blue logo featuring stylized skyline and dove, with the text "Urban Dove" and the words "Energize," "Educate," "Empower" at the bottom.

Urban Dove Charter School I

Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Memphis

QCR Recommendation: Approve
Current Status: Urban Dove Charter School proposes an Opportunity School for 310 students with a mission to energize, educate, and empower young people through an “Opportunity” charter school focused on serving over-age/under-credited high school students. The school has applied to Memphis-Shelby County Schools as an Opportunity School and is awaiting an initial decision.
Read the QCR
Orange and blue logo featuring stylized skyline and dove, with the text "Urban Dove" and the words "Energize," "Educate," "Empower" at the bottom.

Urban Dove Charter School II

Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Memphis

QCR Recommendation: Approve
Current Status: Urban Dove Charter School proposes an Opportunity School for 310 students with a mission to energize, educate, and empower young people through an “Opportunity” charter school focused on serving over-age/under-credited high school students. The school has applied to Memphis-Shelby County Schools as an Opportunity School and is awaiting an initial decision.
Read the QCR
A circular logo with the letters B, C, C, P in blue and white quadrants, and "Blueprint College & Career Prep" written below on a ribbon.

Blueprint College & Career Prep

Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Cordova

Did Not Appeal MSCS Denial

QCR Recommendation: Incomplete
Current Status: Blueprint College & Career Prep proposes a 9-12th grade school for 500 students with a mission to disrupt multigenerational poverty by equipping students in grades 9–12 with rigorous academic instruction, career-aligned skills, and postsecondary readiness experiences that prepare them to graduate on time work ready and succeed in college, workforce, or advanced training pathways. The school applied to Memphis-Shelby County Schools but did not appeal their initial denial and will not be moving forward.
Read the QCR
Music City Academy logo featuring a shield with symbols and "MCA," above the text "Music City Academy."

Music City Academy

Metro Nashville Public Schools, Nashville

QCR Recommendation: Approve
Current Status: Music City Academy proposes a 9-12th grade school for 500 students with a mission to utilize the unifying power of sports to bring student-athletes together in pursuit of both academic excellence and athletic success, preparing for post-graduation. The school has applied to Metro Nashville Public Schools and is awaiting an amended decision.
Read the QCR
Blue and yellow circular logo with "School of Excellence Nashville" text and stylized open book design inside.

Nashville School of Excellence

Metro Nashville Public Schools, Nashville

QCR Recommendation: Approve
Current Status: Nashville School of Excellence proposes a 6-12th grade school for 630 students with a mission to empower each student to succeed in college and career by mastering a rigorous, STEM-focused curriculum, experiencing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment, receiving individual support, and working alongside families and community partners. The school has applied to Metro Nashville Public Schools and is awaiting an amended decision.
Read the QCR
Intricate blue emblem with symmetrical patterns resembling a stylized shield or gate, on a transparent background.

The Gate School

Metro Nashville Public Schools, Nashville

QCR Recommendation: Approve
Current Status: The Gate School proposes a 6-8th grade school for 360 students with a mission to cultivate student independence, effective communication, and academic excellence in the middle grades through outstanding teaching and purposeful use of technology, preparing every student for success in high school and beyond. The school has applied to Metro Nashville Public Schools and is awaiting an amended decision.
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"Rethink Forward" logo with "RE" in gray, "Think" in green, and "FORWARD" in black.

Rutherford Prep

Rutherford County Schools

Approved by RCS April 2026 – Scheduled Opening August 2027 

QCR Recommendation: Incomplete
Current Status: Rutherford Prep proposes a K-12 school for 1,565 students with a mission to provide a personalized, engaging, and challenging learning community to strengthen students academically, socially, emotionally, and civically. The school applied to Rutherford County Schools and was approved by RCS in April 2026, with a scheduled opening of August 2027.
Read the QCR

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