Independent review recommends approval for proposed public charter school looking to close the gap for economically disadvantaged Memphis students

As the job market in the greater Memphis area continues to expand, more schools that focus on career and technical education (CTE) and college prep will be in demand. This is especially true for low-income neighborhoods where students face barriers entering the workforce.

It’s one reason why the founders of Blueprint College and Career Prep (BCCP) chose the Southeast Memphis communities of Oakhaven and Parkway Village as the location for their proposed public charter school. They say families there want a high-quality public education option that addresses each community’s needs.

“We feel that our focus on real world exposure through Career and Technical education coupled with college going preparation is one way we will promote the intrinsic motivation needed for scholars to see links to their futures,” wrote BCCP founders in their application to Memphis-Shelby County Schools. “Blueprint College and Career Prep's mission is to disrupt multigenerational poverty by equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed for successful careers and college experiences. The vision is to create a transformative educational environment that not only fosters academic excellence but also provides a clear pathway to meaningful, sustainable careers for the students.”

BCCP’s application to the district proposes serving more than 700 ninth through twelfth-grade students at capacity with a CTE and college-prep curriculum.

The school would have a student-centered learning environment that combines college preparatory courses with hands-on training and project-based learning. It would also provide students with personalized learning plans, learning through interest and internships, and a strong emphasis on community service.

BCCP is one of three proposed public charter schools applying to open in Memphis this year.

The Memphis-Shelby County School Board is scheduled to vote on each later this month and the independent Quality Charter Review (QCR) is recommending approval for Blueprint College and Career Prep.

Reviewers praised BCCP’s rigorous educational model and its proposed founder’s deep connection in the Memphis community. Reviewers also complemented the compelling case made for a need of a school of this kind in the area, and its robust engagement plan.

“The school will provide a Career and Technical Education (CTE) and College-prep school option in an area of the city with high child poverty rates, low educational attainment, and low employment rates. The area is also experiencing growth and in need of a high-quality secondary option given the chronic low performance of the 3 existing high schools in the area,” wrote QCR reviewers. “Overall, the academic plan represents a rigorous educational model that is targeted to meet the specific needs of the proposed communities.”

The only area of improvement reviewers cited were the application’s lack of identified curriculum resources, lack of curricula for intervention for special populations, and a variation in the anticipated percentage of students with disabilities.

The Quality Charter Review and Tennessee Firefly are unaffiliated projects of Tennesseans for Student Success.