Springs Empower Academy students now have a picture of what their future school will look like.School leaders unveiled renderings Monday for the new K-8 public charter school that will open in the fall of 2024 and serve up to 480 students in Smyrna. Rutherford County School Board members approved the K-8 public charter school last year and Springs Empower Academy is now in the process of purchasing land on Enon Springs road to build the school.School leaders say they’ve already received approval from Smyrna’s Planning and Zoning Commission for the building and site design.“We are incredibly grateful to the Town of Smyrna for this opportunity,” said Springs Empower Academy executive director Jared McLeod. “We appreciate Mayor Reed, her team, and the Planning Department staff for their collaboration and support throughout this process. As the first public charter school to receive approval, we are humbled by the opportunity to serve families and be a partner in the community.”¶
School leaders hired Zeitlin Architects and D.F. Chase Inc. to design the new school. Springs Empower Academy’s approved site plans include a full-size soccer field, gymnasium, art and music rooms, and state-of-the-art technology. Additionally, each ground-floor classroom will have an outdoor learning space and garden to connect academic concepts and practical experiences.“Our goal is to open with Phase 1 while we continue to construct the remaining phases that will allow us to ultimately serve 800 students in grades K-8. We want to do this right and invest in a facility that will serve families and students and provide an exceptional educational environment that truly meets the community’s standards and needs,” said McLeod.¶
The school will grow with a Phase 2 of construction and eventually, a Phase 3.¶
When it opens, Springs Empower Academy will provide students with a hands-on, interest-driven, project-based learning education with Montessori-aligned approaches. The school also promises smaller adult-to-student ratios for more engagement between students and teachers.“Rutherford County is growing, and with that comes families looking for quality educational opportunities,” said Empower Academy board member Patty Short. “Empower Academy’s approach to innovative teaching strategies and creating an environment where students can unlock their full potential is what parents and students seek.”Parents who are interested in learning more about Springs Empower Academy and the upcoming open enrollment period are encouraged to attend a parent interest meeting on Monday, October 16, from 12:00-1:30 p.m. at the Smyrna Public Library.¶
