Proposed Public Charter School Leaders Decide Against Applying in 2026
The Forge founders Sara Tuttle (second from left) and Derrick Williams (far right) standing with representatives from the Little Wonders at Adventura Community School last August (Photo by The Forge School)
Leaders of a proposed public charter school that came close to approval this year announced Thursday that they’ve decided against re-applying next year.
The Forge School would have offered 6-12 grade students interested in careers in architecture, construction, or engineering a hands-on, real-world learning experience. Those students would have begun working on career certifications as early as their first year at The Forge, and their academic journey would have included job shadowing and internships.
Members of the Metro Nashville Board of Education denied The Forge’s application in June, prompting founders Derrick Williams and Sara Tuttle to appeal to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission. It voted 5-3 to deny The Forge in August, but some commissioners encouraged school leaders to address the application's concerns and reapply in 2026.
Start-Up Funding Challenges
Williams and Tuttle posted a note to supporters this week, announcing that they are no longer planning to do so, in part because of challenges raising start-up funding.
“We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has championed The Forge School’s mission and vision. Your belief in reimagining education—connecting students’ learning to purpose, community, and real-world opportunity—has been both humbling and inspiring,” wrote Williams and Tuttle. “At this time, our Board of Directors is exploring all available options for a path forward. While this pause is unexpected, we see it as an opportunity to reassess and reimagine what comes next.”
The commission approved Nashville’s other charter applicant that appealed this year. The Rock Academy is currently accepting letters of intent to enroll students entering the ninth grade in the 2026-27 school year.
