Tennessee Charter School Center says charter schools are outperforming non-charter schools on ACT exams

A new memo from the Tennessee Charter School Center suggests that many public charter school students are outperforming their non-charter school peers on ACT exams.

According to the memo based on recent ACT performance data from the Tennessee Department of Education, charter schools are leading in “providing students with valuable opportunities to achieve academic success and prepare for postsecondary education.” The memo, emailed to Tennessee Firefly, noted that charter school students in both Davidson County and Hamilton County outperformed their non-charter school peers in earning a composite ACT score of 21 or higher. Charter schools are free public schools operated by an independent contract or “charter” with an authorizing agency like a school district or the state.

“In Davidson County, 31 percent of charter students achieved this benchmark compared to 18 percent of non-charter students. In Hamilton County, 43 percent of charter students reached this score compared to 36 percent of non-charter students. This benchmark is critical because it correlates with increased college readiness and eligibility for scholarships, including Tennessee’s HOPE Scholarship,” the memo read.

In addition to those findings, the memo said 24 percent of economically disadvantaged charter students in Davidson County earned a score of 21 or higher, compared to 12 percent in non-charter counterparts. Similarly, 33 percent of economically disadvantaged students at Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy achieved a score of 21 or higher compared to 18 percent in non-charter schools.

Davidson County’s Valor Flagship Academy and Hamilton County’s Ivy Academy also ranked among the top 25 percent of all high schools statewide for students scoring 21 or higher, according to the memo. At Valor Flagship, 63 percent of students met this benchmark, placing it in the top 6 percent. Forty-four percent of students at Ivy met this benchmark, placing it in the top 25 percent.

The memo added that Valor Flagship led the way in supporting economically disadvantaged students, noting that 47 percent of economically disadvantaged students there earned a score of 21 or higher, placing it in the top 4 percent of all high schools. Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy followed with 33 percent, placing it in the top 17 percent.

“These results illustrate what is possible when passionate educators, innovative school leaders, and motivated students are empowered with the flexibility to drive academic outcomes. The success of these schools highlights the transformative potential of charter schools and the importance of autonomy in education,” the memo read.  

“As we reflect on this data, we are inspired by the achievements of our charter school students and educators. Their hard work and dedication remind us that high expectations, personalized learning environments, and strong community partnerships create a foundation for lasting academic success,” the memo continued. “Moving forward, we will continue to advocate for policies that expand access to high-quality charter schools, ensuring that every student in Tennessee has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.”