New Research Backs Up Public Charter School’s Argument for Expanding into Rutherford County
Eric Dailey (podium) and Rocketship supporters (in purple) at a public hearing earlier this month (Photo by Sky Arnold)
When Rocketship Public Schools Executive Director Eric Dailey made the case for an expansion into Rutherford County earlier this month, he stressed his organization’s success serving high-needs students at Rocketship Dream Community Prep.
Rocketship runs three public charter schools in Nashville, and the organization is appealing to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission in hopes of opening a school to serve Rutherford County’s Lavergne and Smyrna communities.
Of its existing charter schools, Dailey says Dream Community Prep serves a student demographic that closest mirrors the high needs students it would target in Rutherford County. According to state data from the 2023/24 school year, 40 percent of Dream Community Prep’s students were English language learners, and 22 percent were economically disadvantaged.
No elementary school in Lavergne or Smyrna serves a higher percentage of both groups, and Dailey says Dream Community Prep’s model has found more success serving them.
“So, while serving a higher population of high-need students, Rocketship Dream Community Prep continues to outperform many of the elementary schools in the Lavergne Smyrna area,” said Dailey.
Dream Community Prep’s Success with the Economically Disadvantaged
New data compiled by the Tennessee Charter School Center and SCORE backs up the case Dailey was making for Rocketship’s expansion.
That research found economically disadvantaged students at Dream Community Prep scored in the top 7 percent in the state for both math and English language arts (ELA) proficiency. Only two other Tennessee charter schools scored in the top 10 percent in both subjects with this group of students.
According to the report, nearly 50 percent of Rocketship Dream‘s economically disadvantaged students scored proficient in math and just over 46 percent were proficient in ELA. The state average for proficiency is less than 25 percent in both subjects with this student group.
A Personalized Learning Model
Rocketship supporters say the school’s personalized learning model is a big part of Dream Community Prep’s success. That model is designed to help children receive exactly what they need for literacy and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skill building. Unlike most elementary schools, Rocketship also utilizes specialized teachers for humanities and STEM classes, and it provides support for parents.
Rocketship educator and Rutherford County parent Emelyn Mendez was among those speaking in support of the charter operator’s appeal earlier this month. She says another difference that’s making an impact on students is who Rocketship Public Schools employs.
“What makes Rocketship different is how it meets the needs of our diverse learners. Our students see themselves reflected in the curriculum and in their teachers,” said Mendes. “As someone who grew up without representation, I know how powerful it is for a child to see leaders who look like them.”
The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission is scheduled to vote on Rocketship’s appeal on October 16.
