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Two new public charter schools approved in Memphis — The Beam #11 | Tennessee Firefly
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The Beam · Issue #11

Two new public charter schools approved in Memphis

Thursday, July 30, 2026 · Sent to 3,082 subscribers

Two New Public Charter Schools Approved in Memphis
Two New Public Charter Schools Approved in Memphis

Good morning.

This week, the Memphis-Shelby County School Board voted to approve two new public charter schools. Both will be operated by the Urban Dove charter network, which has a track record of serving over-aged, under-credited students. Some members also expressed interest in a third proposed charter school that was ultimately voted down.

The Lead

Two New Public Charter Schools Approved in Memphis

By Sky Arnold

Board members unanimously voted in favor of the Urban Dove schools and expressed some support for a third charter applicant.

Read the full story →

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.

Terri Gaston, Urban Dove school leader

By the numbers

135Students Urban Dove plans to serve initially, expanding to 310 over five years

That's all for this week. Be sure and look out for our Friday Flicker On the Fly podcast tomorrow, where you get your podcasts.

The Beam

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