TCSC Announces Charter Changemaker Lists

Tennessee’s Charter School Center Names
State’s Outstanding Changemaker Public Charter K-8 and High Schools

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tuesday, June 25, 2024 – Through the organization’s annual Changemaker Lists, the Tennessee Charter School Center is proud to announce the top public charter schools across the state having the greatest positive impact on student academic growth and achievement.

“We are thrilled to announce our 2023-24 High School and K-8 Changemaker Lists, which recognize the top public charter schools that are particularly excelling among both charter and traditional public schools statewide,” said Elizabeth Fivevash, interim CEO for the Tennessee Charter School Center. “These students, families and teachers should be immensely proud of their efforts in ensuring that Tennessee continues to provide a learning environment where public charter school students can thrive.”

To identify the K-8 Changemaker Schools, the Tennessee Charter School Center focused on two major student-centered outcomes: TCAP English Language Arts (ELA) and Math scores for academic achievement, as well as Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS) scores that measure academic growth.

This year’s honorees were recognized in several different categories:

K-8 ELA Changemakers – Top Performers
Valor Voyager Academy – Nashville

K-8 Math Changemakers – Top Performers
Valor Flagship Academy – Nashville
Valor Voyager Academy – Nashville
Memphis Rise Academy – Memphis

To determine the ELA and Math Top Performers, all public schools in the state were ranked on each of the criteria described above. To receive a top school award, schools with a percentage of students meeting or exceeding standards on the TCAP ELA or Math assessments must have scored in the top 25% of all public schools in Tennessee serving grades K-8. Additionally, schools must have received a TVAAS score of 3 or higher.

Notably, two schools showed impressive growth on the TCAP ELA: Libertas School of Memphis demonstrated significant improvement, with scores increasing by 14 points, reaching nearly 36% in third grade and 41% in fourth grade.

Similarly, Nashville Classical Charter School’s ELA scores also improved remarkably, with third grade scores increasing by 10 points, and fourth grade scores soaring by 30 points from last year.

K-8 Overall Changemakers – Top School Overall
Valor Voyager Academy – Nashville

To determine top Overall K-8 Changemaker honorees, all public schools in the state were ranked on each of the criteria described above. To receive a top school award, the percentage of students meeting or exceeding standards on the TCAP ELA and Math assessments must have scored in the top 25% of all public schools in Tennessee serving grades K-8. Additionally, schools must have received a TVAAS score of 3 or higher in 2023.

K-8 Trailblazer Changemakers – Top High Poverty Public Charter Schools

Journey East Academy – Memphis
Southern Avenue Charter School – Memphis

Research consistently shows that, on average, poverty puts students at a disadvantage academically. As a result, schools serving large numbers of economically disadvantaged students may be doing excellent work but could be overlooked by the criteria described above. To make sure these top performing schools were recognized, the Tennessee Charter School Center examined the same outcomes, but did so only among public schools where 50% or more of students identified as economically disadvantaged. Among these schools, an award school must have ranked in the top 25% for both ELA and Math with proficiency of greater than 30% in both subjects. Additionally, schools must have received a top-growth TVAAS score of 5.

CHANGEMAKERS: TOP HIGH SCHOOLS

To identify the Changemaker High Schools, the Tennessee Charter School Center focused on three major student-centered outcomes: TVAAS scores, Ready Graduate rates, and College-Going rates. 2023 honorees were then recognized in three different categories:

High School Overall Changemakers – Top Schools Overall
Valor College Prep – Nashville
Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy – Chattanooga
Soulsville Charter School – Memphis

To determine top Overall High School Changemaker honorees, all public schools in the state were ranked on each of the criteria described above. To receive a top school award, schools must have ranked in the top 25% on at least one of the following: 2023 Ready Graduate rates or 2022 college-going rates. Additionally, schools must have received a TVAAS score of 3 or higher.

High School Trailblazer Changemakers – Top High Poverty Public Charter Schools
Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy – Chattanooga
Freedom Preparatory Academy Flagship – Memphis
Memphis School of Excellence – Memphis
Soulsville Charter School – Memphis

Similarly to K-8 Trailblazer Changemakers, the Tennessee Charter School Center examined the same outcomes, and did so only among public schools where 50% or more of students identified as economically disadvantaged. Among these schools, an award school must have ranked in the top 25% on at least one of the following: 2023 Ready Graduate rates or 2022 college-going rates. Additionally, schools must have received a TVAAS score of 3 or higher in 2023.

High School Rising Stars – Outstanding New Public Charter Schools
Chattanooga Preparatory School – Chattanooga
Chattanooga Charter School of Excellence High – Chattanooga
Memphis School of Excellence – Cordova

The Tennessee Charter School Center (TCSC) recognizes the criteria for our awards focus heavily on graduation and postsecondary outcomes. However, many newer public charter high schools do not yet have graduating classes or college enrollment data. Therefore, they will not have Ready Graduate or College-Going data.

With that, the TCSC wants to recognize that these schools are serving students well and are on track for strong outcomes for future graduates. Honorees must have enrolled at least 30 students in 2023, and received a TVAAS score of 4 or 5.

NOTE: TVAAS (Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System) is the state’s measure that shows how a school is helping students grow beyond what their previous achievement might predict. Ready Graduate is the state’s indicator of how well high school graduates are prepared for college or a career. A school’s College-Going rate reflects the percentage of graduates who enrolled in a postsecondary institution (4-year, 2-year, and less than 2-year) the year after high school.

Since 2003, Tennessee public charter schools have offered one of the most successful and impactful approaches to transforming educational opportunities and outcomes for students. Tennessee’s charter schools are public schools, but unique in that they are allowed the freedom and flexibility to be more innovative in their approach to educating children but still held accountable for advancing student achievement. Because they are public schools, charter schools are:

● Free
● Open to ALL children
● Do not have special entrance requirements

In exchange for the autonomy public charter schools are afforded, they are also held highly accountable for the academic, operational and financial performance of the schools they run and must meet the same local, state and federal regulations as their fellow district-run counterparts.

The Tennessee Charter School Center also recently released its 2023-24 Impact Report celebrating the stories and impact of public charter schools across the state, including honoring the changemaker charter schools that stand out among their traditional and charter school peers.

For more information about the Tennessee Charter School Center, Tennessee’s many public charter schools, and our nominated Changemaker Schools, please visit TNCharterCenter.org.

###