Knox Prep Cites Supporting Students’ Academic Welfare in Decision to Close
Knox Prep students receiving an award last May (Photo by Knox Prep)
Knoxville Prep opened in 2024 with big dreams of providing a new type of education for families in Knoxville who lack high-quality school options. The county has only one other public charter school, and Knoxville Prep planned to follow the successful all-boys model pioneered by its affiliated school, Chattanooga Prep.
From the beginning, Knox Prep staff made a commitment to the academic welfare of students by fostering a family atmosphere and a strong focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). School leaders say that commitment has led them to decide to close the school at the end of this school year.
In a press release sent to the Tennessee Firefly, Knox Prep said the school is facing challenges across multiple fronts, including lower-than-expected enrollment and academic outcomes, as well as facility limitations.
“We reached a crossroads where we had to decide if we would simply exist, or if we would thrive,” said Knox Prep Subcommittee Chair Dr. Amber Williams. “Because we refuse to settle for ‘good enough’ for our boys, we are choosing to conclude operations and announce this decision now. This allows us to put our full weight behind these families and their scholars for the remainder of the school year, ensuring they have the resources, the funding, and the dedicated navigators to transition into the high-performing environments they deserve without further delay.“
The decision to close the school was made by the Knoxville Prep Subcommittee of the Prep Public Schools Board of Directors.
Student-First Transition Plan
Knox Prep announced several measures to support families as they transition to another school next fall.
The "Student-First Transition Plan" includes a $300,000 investment in student long-term success, including funding for:
Dedicated School Navigators: Each family will be paired with a professional navigator to help identify and enroll in the best educational fit for the 2026-27 school year.
Summer Academic Programming: The school will provide specialized summer sessions to ensure students remain on track and prepared for their next grade level.
Transition Funds: The school is investing more than $300,000 in resources to help with transition costs for students and staff.
The decision to close Knox Prep will not affect the operations, academics, or finances of Chattanooga Prep, which continues to operate independently under its own leadership team.
“We respect the Knoxville Prep Subcommittee’s determination to act in the long-term interest of students,” said Prep Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Troy Kemp. “While today’s decision impacts Knoxville, Chattanooga Prep remains fully focused on its scholars and its future.”
Knox Prep History
The Knox County School Board approved Knox Prep in 2023 to serve students in grades 6-12.
The school opened with an initial class of 91 sixth graders in the 2024/25 school year and added seventh grade for this current year. Knox Prep’s students outperformed the district-run school in its zone in both math and English language arts (ELA) on the most recent state tests.
Charter schools are free public schools operated by a nonprofit organization under a charter with a school district or the state.
