For the second year in a row, Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) is excluding its schools that serve some of the highest percentages of economically disadvantaged and students of color from the district’s annual celebration event.The September 9 Celebration of Schools Parade and Fair at Nissan Stadium is designed to showcase district schools and educational options to parents, but MNPS leadership opted to exclude public charter schools from taking part.

When the parade begins Saturday morning to celebrate Nashville’s public schools, the students marching will not totally reflect the city’s diverse student population.Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) made the surprising decision to exclude the city’s 30 public charter schools from attending the annual Celebration of Schools and School Options Fair for the first time in its 10-plus year history.