Members of the Memphis-Shelby County School Board needed no discussion to approve two new public charter schools at Tuesday night’s meeting.¶
Those schools, run by the New York-based Urban Dove charter network, were both approved on the consent agenda, following recommendations by the district’s charter review team.¶
“We are proud to celebrate the approval of Urban Dove Team Charter School Memphis I and II, including the significant endorsement of both applications by MSCS (Memphis-Shelby County Schools) staff,” wrote the charter network on social media. “Congratulations to our founding school leaders Terri Gaston and James Bacchus, and thank you to the families, community leaders and supporters, funders, MSCS, and Groundswell Network who helped make this possible.”¶
Who Would the Schools Serve
Urban Dove I will serve teenagers in the Hickory Hill area of Memphis, and leaders are considering locations for Urban Dove II in the Raleigh, Frayser, or Orange Mound neighborhoods.¶
School Leader Terri Gaston told the Tennessee Firefly’s On the Fly podcast that both schools will use a model tailored for over-aged and under-credited” students, with a system that does not use grade levels but instead has three “leagues,” which are operated using a sports-themed team-building concept.¶
“We want to remove the stigma of grade levels. So, we might have a student who comes in, and they’re 16, and they’re in the ninth grade, and they’re like, ‘Oh, I’m still a freshman.’ No, here, you’d be in league one,” said Gaston.¶
Leaders hope to open both schools in time for the 2027-2028 school year and serve up to 135 students before expanding to 310 students over the next five years.¶
Reaction to Approval
Following Tuesday’s vote, education advocacy organization Tennesseans for Student Success (TSS) issued a press release applauding the decision and discussing the need for the school. The organization’s Quality Charter Review (QCR) conducted an independent analysis of both Urban Dove schools and recommended approval earlier this year.¶
"While existing public schools in Memphis work hard to serve at-risk students, the data shows that many teens face unique barriers that require the long-term, relationship-centered approach that Urban Dove plans to provide," said Lana Skelo, TSS President and CEO. "This charter network has a proven history of transforming the lives of over-aged, under-credited students at its existing schools, and we're excited to see Urban Dove put students in Memphis on the path to success."¶
The Tennessee Firefly is a project of and supported by Tennesseans for Success.¶
Support for Opportunity Youth Academy
School board members voted down amended applications from two other proposed charter schools, Empowerment Academy – West Tennessee and Opportunity Youth Academy, though several members expressed appreciation for the latter.¶
Board member Amber Huett-Garcia encouraged leaders of Opportunity Youth Academy to reapply next year. Like Urban Dove, it would also be an Opportunity Public Charter School that’s designed to serve students who are dealing with various challenges, including juvenile crime, chronic absenteeism, substance abuse, and teen pregnancy.¶
“I thought this was a really innovative model,” said Huett-Garcia. “Our students who fall behind- what do we do to make sure that they stay in Shelby County, and they get a job, and they’re raising families here? I think this is the type of education experience we need to be thinking about.”¶
Leaders of both Empowerment Academy – West Tennessee and the Opportunity Youth Academy will have the option of appealing the denial to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission in the fall.¶
