Polling Shows Strong Support for Public Charter Schools

Exterior of Libertas School of Memphis (Photo by Libertas)

In the coming weeks, education leaders in seven school districts across the state will decide whether to approve up to 18 new public charter schools.

New polling from the education advocacy organization Tennesseans for Student Success (TSS) may give board members something to think about, as this type of school has strong support from voters across the state. Charters are free public schools operated by a non-profit organization under a “charter” with a school district or the state. Charters frequently offer education models not available in traditional public schools.

More than 61 percent of Republican voters polled by TSS supported charter schools. Just 19 percent said they oppose charters, roughly the same percentage who either expressed a neutral opinion or were unsure. The Tennessee Firefly is a project of and supported by TSS.

Up for Vote

Supporters of Libertas School of Memphis were the first to make their case for a new school. Libertas operates an existing elementary and middle school under the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission, and its leaders applied to expand the school model for high school students under a new state law that provides this option. The commission held a public hearing this week on the application.

Members of the Jackson-Madison County School Board could vote on four proposed new charter schools as early as next week, while both Memphis-Shelby County Schools and Metro Nashville Public Schools will vote on multiple applications later in the month.  

Rutherford County Schools, Hamilton County Schools, and Dyer County Schools all received one application. This is the first charter proposal in Dyer County’s history, and board members will vote on it on April 14.

The full list of charter applications includes:

Jackson-Madison County School System 

• Digitech Academy of Excellence

• East Jackson Academy

• North Jackson Academy

• Union Academy

Dyer County Schools 

• Trimble Academy

Hamilton County Schools 

• Empowerment Academy – East Tennessee

Memphis Shelby County Schools 

• Blueprint College and Career Prep

• Empowerment Academy – West Tennessee

• Memphis Elites STEAM Academy

• Opportunity Youth Academy

• Urban Dove Team Charter School Memphis I

• Urban Dove Team Charter School Memphis II

Metro Nashville Public Schools 

• Empowerment Academy – Middle Tennessee

• Music City Academy

• Nashville School of Excellence

• The Gate School

Rutherford County Schools 

• Rutherford Prep

Tennessee Public Charter School Commission 

• Libertas High School