Dream Catcher’s Academy Charter Proposal Sparks Debate in Memphis

Retired teacher Annie Miller says Memphis students experiencing homelessness face barriers in school that stability alone could fix.

“I taught bright and eager children who never had a chance to reach their full potential,” said Miller. “Not because of a lack of ability, but a lack of stability. Too many of our students bounce from school to school, moving from an apartment to a shelter. Every time they moved, they lost ground…teachers who knew them, peers who supported them. That was heartbreaking for me as an educator.”

Miller was one of several community members who spoke in favor of the proposed Dream Catcher’s Academy at last week’s public hearing before the Tennessee Charter School Commission. The proposed K-12 public charter school would specifically serve homeless and housing-insecure youth in Memphis.

Members of the Memphis-Shelby County School Board denied the school’s application last July and leaders appealed to the commission hoping to overturn that decision. Charter schools are free public schools operated by a non-profit organization under a “charter” with a school district or the state.

“This school is not just a good idea...it’s life-changing,” Miller said. “Instead of punishing children for circumstances beyond their control, this school would wrap its arms around them with care, mental health support, case management, and community partnerships.”

Tennessee’s First Charter School for Homeless Youth

Dream Catcher’s Academy Executive Director Dr. Tiner told commissioners the school would not only be the first of its kind in Tennessee, but possibly the first in the nation.

The school would open in 2026 with 150 students if commissioners overturn board members’ denial next month. Tiner said the school would eventually grow to provide services the district currently does not offer to more than 2,900 homeless students, as well as the tens of thousands more who are at risk of losing housing.

“Our slogan is ‘Learning Today, Owning Tomorrow,’” Tiner said. “We don’t want to be seen as just a homeless school. We want students to see a pathway to the American Dream of home ownership. That’s why every student will have a savings account, credit education, and seminars on financial literacy. We are building futures.”

Supporters Cite Experience and Resources

Attorney Will Patterson of Patterson-Bray, representing the school, told commissioners Dream Catcher’s Academy has already secured a $750,000 startup grant from the state of Tennessee.

He added that the leadership team has more than 100 years of combined educational experience and direct service to homeless youth and highlighted bipartisan political support for the project, including letters from Rep. Karen Camper, D-Memphis, and Rep. Mark White, R-Nashville.

District Raises Academic Concerns

Memphis-Shelby County Schools leaders urged the commission to uphold board members’ denial of the application, citing deficiencies in academics, operations, and finances.

Arlandra Parker, the district’s director of charter school development, said a review team determined the school’s application failed to meet standards in two out of three categories set by the Tennessee Department of Education and only partially met the third.

State law requires charter applicants to meet or exceed state standards in all three categories to receive approval.

Parker said the proposed school’s application lacked detail on its Montessori model, curriculum, and instructional practices. She noted underdeveloped plans for early literacy, secondary programs like work-based learning, and diploma pathways.

Parent engagement, recruitment, and retention strategies were also limited, she said, as were supports for students with disabilities.

Financial Plan Questioned

Parker additionally criticized the proposed school’s financial plan saying it contained enrollment overestimates, lacked strong contingency measures, and raised questions about financial roles and oversight.

“Retention strategies and support for 100 homeless or at-risk students are limited,” Parker said. “Core components of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act were not clearly defined or were omitted altogether.”

Parker told commissioners the proposed schools facilities plan, teacher recruitment strategy, and transportation options were also underdeveloped, and she raised concerns about the lack of a clearly defined neighborhood or region for the school.

The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission is expected to vote on the school’s appeal next month.