The McGavock Cluster in Donelson and Hermitage serves close to ten percent of the Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) student population and houses the largest high school in Middle Tennessee.
Despite the diverse population, leaders of the proposed public charter school Invictus Nashville say enrollment data shows many students leave the area to attend middle and high school elsewhere.
It’s among the reasons they’ve chosen that section of eastern Davidson County to provide an alternative education model that includes two teachers per classroom.
“Invictus Nashville will prepare our K–8 students to become engaged members of society by helping them identify their unique path to personal and professional success. Through a diverse culture, personalized learning, and community service, Invictus Nashville graduates will be equipped with the necessary habits of success and a heart for service in their communities,” wrote Invictus leaders in their application.
The proposed Invictus Nashville would serve 432 students in grades K-5 at capacity, eventually expanding it to K-8. The school would utilize the Montessori education model that’s based on activity self-directed by the students and focused on hands-on collaborative learning.
The school’s application included multiple letters of support from individuals who feel this education method is exactly what’s needed in Nashville.
“Our community needs more places where the youth can grow and learn in a safe and encouraging atmosphere. The staff from Invictus that I have had the opportunity to interact with have displayed a true passion for building up the youth in our community and providing them with an alternative means to acquire their education,” wrote YMCA Regional Sports Director Matt Green in his letter of support. “To bring a new school to the community who has shown a willingness to work together and grow these opportunities would be a true blessing.”
Invictus Nashville is one of three proposed public charter schools for Davidson County this year. The Metro-Nashville Public Schools Board of Education is expected to vote on all of them sometime this spring and Invictus is receiving early support from independent reviewers with the recently launched Quality Charter Review (QCR).
Its reviewers praised the application for its exceptional community input, its elementary and middle school model, and the focus on Social Emotional Learning and positive school culture.
“Overall, the applicant demonstrates evidence that the school will provide research-based instruction and curriculum exceptionally well. Applicant demonstrates detailed plans for curriculum and assessment alignment with state academic standards and district strategic goals exceptionally well,” wrote QCR reviewers.
Reviewers additionally suggested Invictus should include more details on blended learning framework and clarify school counseling or social working staffing.
