NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The state's first-ever opportunity charter school, which is designed for at-risk students, has been approved by the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission.

The vote overturned Metro Nashville Public Schools' decision to deny The Rock Academy, first in April and again in June.

Opportunity charter schools are required to serve a population where at least 75% of students are considered "at-risk," which includes students who have been held back, are chronically absent or are in foster care.

“This school is not just another option. It’s a lifeline for students who are too often overlooked or left behind," Dr. Ahmed White with The Rock Academy said during a special called Tennessee Public Charter School Commission meeting.

The Rock Academy will be the state's first opportunity charter school, which the Tennessee General Assembly authorized through legislation passed last year. Democrats pushed back against the bill.

“I continue to be amazed at how we find ways to steer taxpayer dollars into private hands, and yet another one is here before us," Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville) said.

"I've never seen so many red flags on a bill," Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) said. "This might be the second-worst bill I've seen this session."

In April, The Rock Academy applied to open an opportunity charter school in Nashville. MNPS denied the application, in part arguing that the school's later start time of 9:30 a.m. and "mastery-based" learning model, which allows students to learn at their own pace instead of as an entire class, aren't proven methods that help at-risk students. The Rock Academy submitted another application in June, which MNPS again denied.

This week, the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission used its power to override the school district's decision, arguing the Rock Academy will fill a much-needed gap left by MNPS.

“Although we recognize any opportunity school, when approved, is a risk, given it is a new model in the state, we believe the application presented a robust and thoughtful plan that I think is poised to be successful to be the first opportunity charter school in the state,” Tennessee Public Charter School Commission Executive Director Tess Stovall said. "It would provide a high quality for students in Nashville, who I think we can all agree, are not currently well-served by the current options.”

Following the approval, House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville), who sponsored the bill that authorized opportunity charter schools, posted on X:

"Thrilled to welcome @MyRockAcademy, the first Opportunity Charter School in TN! School choice is offering renewed hope in meeting a student’s needs. Thank you to the TN Charter Commission in passing this specialized charter school."

The Rock Academy is set to open for the 2026-27 school year. It will start with 88 ninth-grade students.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-politics/tennessees-first-charter-school-for-at-risk-youth-approved-following-denial-from-mnps/