Oxton Academy: A life-changing alternative for at-risk Clarksville students

Although other public charter schools have garnered more media coverage, Oxton Academy sets itself apart by focusing on high school students failing to thrive in the traditional and alterative school options in the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS). Oxton Academy not only targets drop out students, but students needing a flexible learning environment due to socioeconomic hardship. It will be the first school to offer work-based learning with hybrid course options in the district. Oxton Academy offers an opportunity to better support struggling students while increasing workforce development opportunities within the district.Oxton Academy sponsor, One on One, provides individually tailored academic support to over 75,000 students across Florida with experienced knowledge working with at-risk and disadvantaged youth from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Oxton Academy intends to target low income and under-performing students at risk of not completing high school.  Struggling or disenfranchised students within the district will immediately benefit from the unique mission of Oxton Academy.The options available within the district for at-risk students are minimal. The district's graduation rate is currently at 92.5%, with an increasing number of high school students failing to confer a high school diploma each academic year. Unlike most charter schools, Oxton Academy seeks to target students in need of additional support currently unavailable within district schools.Oxton Academy will give more flexibility to students, parents, and staff members.  According to the school’s charter application, “The staff will be trained to accommodate [student] learning needs in a way that is less “whole classroom” instruction, and based more on sound education practices of facilitation, with personalization of lesson instructions. The mission of Oxton Academy is to serve those students who require academic success that is supported by innovations in curriculum; a different type of teaching supported by training and empowerment; and a safe and nonjudgmental physical environment.”Oxton Academy is in the process of collaborating with Austin-Peay State University, Tennessee College of Applied Technology Dickson, Bethel University, LG, and Hancook to build bridges for enhanced credit articulation agreements and state-of-the-art industry-sponsored learning labs. These partnerships will provide students with unprecedented opportunities to pursue higher education credits and industry credentials, something currently unavailable for struggling students in the district. These partnerships demonstrate meaningful community interest in Oxton Academy, something no other charter applicant has demonstrated state-wide.In 2018 CMCSS implemented numerous Early College and Career Options (ECCOs), to which Dr. Jean Luna, CMCSS Director of Schools stated, “One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to education. It is important for us to offer as many options as possible to meet the needs of our diverse student body.  By providing numerous industry-aligned and student-interest-based pathways, we can empower our students to make choices that help them achieve their career and life goals.”Oxton Academy specifically targets students who historically have not had access to in-demand industry credentials and work-based learning opportunities.The 19 person, CMCSS charter review committee found evidence that this charter school is in the best interest of the community and recommended that the district school board approve the charter application. The application was narrowly denied by four school board members with vague rationale. Oxton Academy serves as a unique and innovative opportunity to offer life changing pathways for academic and career success to at-risk students in the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System.This week the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission has the opportunity to make Oxton Academy a reality for students in dire need of more flexible pathways to graduation. The commission will cast its final vote on Wednesday, along with final votes for charter appeals from KIPP Nashville and Saber STEM Academy. Oxton Academy represents exactly the type of appeal the commission was created to grant.Tennesseans for Student Success provides funding to the Tennessee Firefly.