Multiple parents of students who attend Stanford Montessori Elementary school in Nashville’s Donelson community made the trip downtown Monday morning to speak out against a proposed public charter school that would also provide a Montessori based education in the area.
They may have inadvertently made the case for the proposed school’s approval.
The debate involves a Metro Nashville Public Schools Board of Education decision in July to vote down an application by Invictus Nashville Charter School to open a Montessori based K-8 public charter for students in the Donelson and Hermitage communities. Invictus supporters appealed to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission whose members have the option of overturning local district denials.
Monday the commission hosted a public hearing to give supporters and opponents an opportunity to provide input.
Andrew Clapper was one of several Stanford Montessori Elementary School parents who showed up to speak out against the proposed public charter school, but in the process, also admitted he would like to see a Montessori based middle school in the area, which is exactly what Invictus would be.
“I think that we need to focus on creating more Montessori schools that are not charter schools just strictly standard public schools,” said Clapper. “I love the idea of a middle school, a Montessori middle school which is something that we don’t have in MNPS.”
The comments from parents who want a Montessori middle school are in direct contrast with MNPS board members who voted against Invictus citing a lack of support for such a school. Board Chair Rachel Anne Elrod repeated the rebuked claim at Monday’s meeting.
“Quite frankly there is simply not a need for seats in this area or for this school. There has not been a swell of desire for this school,” said Elrod.
Invictus Nashville supporters argued their proposed school and its Montessori curriculum is especially needed for families of color in School District 4 where Stanford Montessori is also located.
Invictus supporter Dawana Wade pointed out Stanford Montessori is currently serving a lower percentage of students of color compared to MNPS.
“28 percent black students in Stanford Montessori. 39 percent in MNPS. 8 percent Hispanic students at Stanford. 33 percent in MNPS. On the other side, the enrollment of white students at Stanford far exceeds the enrollment percentage of white students in MNPS as a whole,” said Wade. “This inequity should not be permissible today and Invictus Nashville has an opportunity to change that.”
Other Invictus supporters argued not every student has access to Stanford Montessori, even if families want their children to go there as the school has a lottery process for admission.
Invictus board member Courtney Teasley says she applied to enroll her child multiple times and never got in.
“So imagine my surprise to see the amount of minority students in the district not reflected in the Montessori school there and I find the ones that stood here and were able to say that their child goes to Stanford very privileged,” said Teasley.
The Invictus Model
Invictus Nashville’s founder Dr. Brenda Jones grew up in East Nashville’s Cayce Homes and attended her MNPS zoned school until high school when she utilized a special transfer to attend Hillsboro High School in Green Hills.
Jones says she designed Invictus to serve students like she was and bring out the best of the public education system to serve the needs of diverse communities in District 4.
The proposed school would provide a Montessori curriculum for elementary schools then change to a project-based learning model with Montessori undertones in middle school, so students are able to self-direct their learning path.
Jones told the charter commission she doesn’t see her school model as competing with Stanford Montessori.
“The school is doing well but I always question for who? Because if you look at the enrollment numbers that we are targeting it is more representative of District 4 families and we are more evenly distributed so that our families are there. The families that need to be represented,” said Jones. “Congratulations to Stanford Montessori, you are great, but we want that option for more kids. They are there and it is ok because we are not in competition with you.”
The Charter Commission is expected to decide Invictus Nashville’s appeal at a meeting on October 6.
