Public charter schools in Shelby, Davidson, and Hamilton County recognized for being changemakers

ChattanoogaMemphisNashvilleState Education
Written By Sky Arnold

Valor College Prep (Photo by Valor)

The Tennessee Charter School Center recognized 5 middle schools and 8 high schools for having the greatest positive impact on student academic growth and achievement.

Nashville’s Voyager Academies headlined the annual changemaker list with three of the charter operator’s schools winning four Changemaker award categories including Valor Voyager Academy that won K-8 Overall Changemaker and Valor College Prep that was one of three High School Overall Changemakers.

The organization determined the K-8 Overall Changemaker award by ranking each public charter school in the state in English language arts and math scores along with the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS) scores for academic growth.

High school changemaker awards focused on TVAAS scores, Ready Graduate rates, and college-going rates.

“We are thrilled to announce our 2023-24 High School and K-8 Changemaker Lists, which recognize the top public charter schools that are particularly excelling among both charter and traditional public schools statewide,” said Elizabeth Fivevash, interim CEO for the Tennessee Charter School Center. “These students, families and teachers should be immensely proud of their efforts in ensuring that Tennessee continues to provide a learning environment where public charter school students can thrive.”

The Tennessee Charter School Center also recognized public charter schools that are succeeding in high poverty areas.  Research shows that economically disadvantaged students frequently face disadvantages academically.  Schools receiving the Changemaker Trailblazer award in K-8 and high school have at least 50 percent of their students identifying as economically disadvantaged.

Charter schools are free public schools operated by an independent contract or “charter” with an authorizing agency. Under Tennessee law they must be operated by a non-profit group and be free and open to all children.The full list of Changemaker awardees includes:

K-8 Overall Changemakers - Top School Overall

  • Valor Voyager Academy – Nashville

K-8 ELA Changemakers - Top Performers

  • Valor Voyager Academy – Nashville

K-8 Math Changemakers - Top Performers

  • Valor Flagship Academy - Nashville

  • Valor Voyager Academy - Nashville

  • Memphis Rise Academy – Memphis

K-8 Trailblazer Changemakers - Top High Poverty Public Charter Schools

  • Journey East Academy - Memphis

  • Southern Avenue Charter School – Memphis

High School Overall Changemakers - Top Schools Overall

  • Valor College Prep - Nashville

  • Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy - Chattanooga

  • Soulsville Charter School – Memphis

High School Trailblazer Changemakers - Top High Poverty Public Charter Schools

  • Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy - Chattanooga

  • Freedom Preparatory Academy Flagship - Memphis

  • Memphis School of Excellence - Memphis

  • Soulsville Charter School – Memphis

High School Rising Stars - Outstanding New Public Charter Schools

  • Chattanooga Preparatory School - Chattanooga

  • Chattanooga Charter School of Excellence High - Chattanooga

  • Memphis School of Excellence - Cordova

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.

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