CHATTANOOGA’S CHARTER SCHOOLSChattanooga Charter School of Excellence* Where: 5600 Brainerd Road, Suite A-24 (former YMCA at Eastgate Mall)* Opened: 2011-12* Enrollment: 168* Grades: K-2 (will eventually add grades 3-5)* Focus: Liberal arts curriculum, including foreign languages and fine artsChattanooga Girls Leadership Academy* Where: 1800 Bailey Ave. (former Tennessee Temple Academy building)* Opened: 2009-10* Enrollment: 160* Grades: 6-11 (will add 12th grade next year)* Focus: STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)Ivy Academy* Where: 8443 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy (near North Chickamauga Creek Pocket Wilderness)* Opened: 2009-10* Enrollment: 170* Grades: 9-11 (will add 12th grade next year)* Focus: Environmental
TENNESSEE’S CHARTER SCHOOLSTennessee’s 41 charter schools educate about 9,000 students. Last year, the legislature lifted the cap that allowed only 90 charter schools across the state. Charters receive a per-pupil allotment, ranging from about $7,100 to $8,100, from the local school district’s funds. Charters must gain approval from the local school board before opening and must then meet certain academic benchmarks, as evidenced by state assessments.Source: Tennessee Charter School Association
Rose Mary Porter wasn’t pleased with her great-granddaughter’s kindergarten year at Calvin Donaldson Elementary School.
“I felt like my child was falling through the cracks at that school,” she said.
So Marcia Griffin’s knock on her door last year was welcome relief.