Sky Arnold 8/28/25 Sky Arnold 8/28/25

State Commission Overturns Metro Nashville Board of Education Decision and Approves The Rock Academy

Commissioners unanimously voted to reverse the Metro Nashville Board of Education’s June decision denying The Rock Academy’s application and upheld the board’s denial of The Forge School on a split 5-3 vote.

Sky Arnold 8/26/25 Sky Arnold 8/26/25

The Rock Academy Aims to Serve Nashville Students Who Aren’t Seen

If approved by the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission, The Rock Academy would open in 2026 with an initial class of 88 freshmen and then add a grade each year.

Sky Arnold 6/27/25 Sky Arnold 6/27/25

“Wow, I Bet You Guys are Exhausted.” Firefly Investigation Uncovers Metro Nashville Public Schools’ Rush to Deny Proposed Charter Schools

In years past, district leaders in Nashville have given staff more time to review the sometimes-expansive applications by scheduling charter decisions in the July school board meeting.

Sky Arnold 6/11/25 Sky Arnold 6/11/25

Metro Nashville Board of Education denies every proposed public charter school for the fourth consecutive year

All three applicants have the ability to appeal to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission that has overturned at least one MNPS charter denial four years in a row.

Sky Arnold 6/9/25 Sky Arnold 6/9/25

Metro Nashville Board of Education may be avoiding a new state law by scheduling its charter school vote a month early

The board unexpectedly decided late last week to hold votes on amended applications from the Rock Academy, the Forge School, and Rocketship Public Schools at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Sky Arnold 4/23/25 Sky Arnold 4/23/25

Metro Nashville Public Schools Board of Education denies every public charter school application after two members say publicly that they oppose the concept of charters

The board voted down applications from the Rock Academy, the Forge School, and Rocketship Public Schools Tuesday.

Sky Arnold 4/22/25 Sky Arnold 4/22/25

Independent reviewers give high marks to three proposed public charter schools in Nashville. Will any of them get a fair shot with the school board?

The Metro Nashville Public Schools Board of Education is scheduled to vote on applications from Forge School, the Rock Academy, and Rocketship Public Schools Tuesday night.

Sky Arnold 12/9/24 Sky Arnold 12/9/24

Tennessee could see as many as 17 new public charter schools next year

Five Tennessee school districts across the state received letters of intent for 17 proposed new public charter schools by last week’s deadline. Letters of intent are the first official step in next year’s new start charter application process.