One Out of Every Three Reward Schools in Memphis and Nashville are Public Charter Schools

State EducationMemphisNashvilleChattanooga
Written By Sky Arnold

KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School is one of 5 KIPP Reward schools (Photo by KIPP Nashville Public Schools)

The Tennessee Department of Education’s annual Reward School announcement on Friday contained some positive news for the state’s public charter schools.

Sixteen of Memphis-Shelby County Schools’ 44 Reward schools are charters, along with eight of Nashville’s 28 Reward schools. Charter schools overall make up a noticeably smaller percentage of schools in Memphis (23 percent) and Nashville (16 percent).

Statewide, 30 public charter schools earned Reward School status during the 2024-25 school year, up from 16 in 2023-24.

Schools are recognized as Reward schools for demonstrating high levels of performance and/or improvement. Charter schools are free public schools operated under a “charter” with a school district or the state.

“These schools exemplify what is possible when educators and school leaders are empowered with the flexibility to design learning environments that respond to the needs of their communities,” said Tennessee Charter School Center CEO Elizabeth Fiveash. “Their results remind us of the potential of public charter schools in Tennessee.” 

2024–25 Reward Schools

Hamilton County Schools: 

  • Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy

Memphis-Shelby County Schools:

  • Compass Community School, Berclair Campus

  • Compass Community School, Frayser Campus

  • Compass Community School, Hickory Hill Campus

  • Freedom Prep Elementary – Millbranch

  • Journey East Academy

  • KIPP Memphis Collegiate Elementary

  • Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Elementary School

  • Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Middle School

  • Memphis Business Academy Middle

  • Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory Charter School

  • Memphis STEM Academy

  • Perea Elementary School

  • Power Center Academy Elementary – Southeast

  • Power Center Academy High School

  • Power Center Academy Middle

  • Star Academy

Metro Nashville Public Schools:

  • KIPP Kirkpatrick Elementary School

  • KIPP Nashville College Prep Elementary

  • KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School

  • LEAD Southeast

  • Purpose Prep

  • Strive Collegiate Academy

  • Valor Flagship Academy

  • Valor Voyager Academy

Tennessee Public Charter School Commission:

  • Cornerstone Prep – Lester

  • KIPP Antioch College Prep Elementary

  • KIPP Antioch College Prep Middle

  • Libertas

  • Rocketship Dream Community Prep

Reward School and Exemplary District Numbers Rise

Statewide, the total number of Reward schools rose from 377 in the 2023-24 school year to 459 in 2024-25. That represents a 22 percent increase.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools received 10 more Reward schools than last year, including Kingsbury Elementary.

“We are proud to be recognized as a Reward School, but even prouder of the journey that brought us here. Our students rose to every challenge; our educators led with excellence, and our families partnered with us in meaningful ways. This recognition affirms who we are and strengthens our commitment to unlocking every child’s potential,” said Kingsbury Principal Wynn E. Earle.

The state also recognized 14 school districts as Exemplary districts for achieving high performance. That total is also up from the 2023-24 school year, when the state named 10 Exemplary districts 2023-24.

“Because of the dedication of Tennessee district, charter, and school leaders, along with our outstanding educators, we are proud to see their hard work demonstrated in these results," said Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds. “Congratulations to the 459 Reward schools and the 14 Exemplary districts for reaching this incredible milestone.” 

For the first time ever, the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission received recognition as an Exemplary district. The commission currently oversees 24 charter schools in Nashville and Memphis.

Many of these schools were rejected by local school boards during the charter application phase and approved by the commission on appeal.

“Since the General Assembly created the Commission in 2019, we have strived to set high standards and hold our schools accountable, and the designations released by the State Board of Education today show the results of those high standards and rigorous oversight,” wrote the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission in a statement posted on its website.

Sky Arnold

Sky serves as the Managing Editor of the Tennessee Fireflly. He’s a veteran television journalist with two decades of experience covering news in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and Tennessee where he covered government for Fox 17 News in Nashville and WBBJ in Jackson. He’s a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and a big supporter of the Oklahoma Sooners.