The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission unanimously approved an appeal from charter school group Rocketship to open a fourth charter next year in the La Vergne area. The Rutherford County Schools Board denied Rocketship’s bid in July, as members were wary of the school’s finances and curriculum, as well as potential oversaturation.
Gov. Bill Lee set up the state commission in 2019 as part of his office’s push to expand charter schools in Tennessee. The commission has the power to overrule decisions made by local education authorities like school boards, which review applications for proposed schools proposed in their districts. Charters often clash with traditional public school systems and draw from the same student population. According to its 1,075-page application, the new Rocketship school aims to enroll 250 students in its first year in kindergarten through fourth grade, and 600 by its fifth school year — at which point it would expand to include fifth grade.
Looking at the politics and the impact of school choice in Tennessee
Rutherford County has experienced tremendous growth in the past decade. Two charter schools — American Classical Academy Rutherford and Springs Empower Academy — opened in the 2024 school year in the Smyrna and La Vergne area near the border of Davidson and Rutherford counties. Some RCS board members are wary another charter could oversaturate the area.
The board evaluated Rocketship’s application at a July 22 meeting and expressed prohibitive concerns, citing Rocketship’s spotty track record at three schools it currently runs in Davidson County and a lack of community support in Rutherford County.
After a denial from RCS, Rocketship appealed to the state commission on Aug. 1. Supportive Rocketship families — including many Davidson County residents — spoke at a Sept. 19 community meeting in Rutherford County convened by the state commission. Rocketship has also advertised to parents like Tonya Moore at area day cares.
“I wrote a letter of support for the school after I met them at my daughter’s day care,” Moore tells the Scene. “They explained the child-teacher ratio and other details, and I thought it would be a better fit for my son, who’s currently in a Rutherford County public school.”Â
Rocketship won unanimous approval from commissioners at the TPCSC’s Oct. 16 meeting.Â
“More than 50 parents attended the Commission’s public hearing, and 174 individuals submitted written comments supporting our appeal — a reflection of the strong community demand for the high-quality, personalized education Rocketship offers,” reads a media statement from Dr. Eric Dailey, executive director of Rocketship Public Schools Tennessee. “Their advocacy exemplifies the power of parent partnership that’s at the heart of Rocketship’s mission. We’re excited to partner with them to create an elementary school where every child is given the opportunity to unleash their full potential.”
