Enrollment is open, and the deadline is soon approaching to apply to attend Emerald Academy, Knoxville’s first and only public charter school, for the upcoming school year.
Interested families should apply immediately, and enrollment applications must be submitted online at emeraldacademy.org by 5 p.m. on March 26.
Emerald Academy opened in 2015 and serves scholars in grades K-8. At the conclusion of the school’s fourth year in spring 2019, scholars showed the highest state test results in the school’s history. Highlights include:
- Emerald Academy’s average on the Algebra I and Geometry assessments exceeded the average for all test takers in Knox County Schools as well as the state of Tennessee. (Emerald Academy eighth graders took these assessments that are traditionally for ninth and 10th graders.)
- Emerald Academy third graders outperformed the KCS district average for the state of Tennessee for elementary schools in English Language Arts.
Any Knox County resident with a rising kindergarten through eighth grade student is eligible to apply to this tuition-free, college preparatory school. There are no additional criteria for admittance, and if interest outnumbers available seats, a blind lottery will be conducted to determine admission.
“I love the community and the work ethic at Emerald Academy,” said La-Tasha Smith-Bryant, mother of two current scholars as well as a high schooler who is an alumnus of Emerald Academy. “The faculty and staff encourage scholars to see themselves as successful, with kindergarteners who are already talking about college. Our 12-year-old already has a college plan!”
“Our school’s mission is to prepare urban scholars for their college of choice and community leadership,” said school director Lauren Moore. “The online application process is easy and only takes a few minutes. I hope many families will take advantage of this tremendous opportunity and join us.”
Visit the school’s website at emeraldacademy.org or call 865-249-7223 weekdays between 7:45 a.m. and 4 p.m. to learn more.
For Spanish-speaking families, a dedicated information line is available at 865-270-0497.
About Emerald Academy & Emerald Charter Schools
Emerald Academy is a free, independently operated, K-8 college preparatory school launched by Emerald Charter Schools. Located in the historic Moses School Building at 220 Carrick Street in Old Mechanicsville, Emerald Academy’s mission is to grow scholars into leaders by creating the best learning culture for city students to develop the skills, habits and values for success in high school, college and life. Supporting opportunities are available. For more information about the school and how to become involved, visit emeraldacademy.org. Founded in 2014, Emerald Charter Schools is a non-sectarian, 501(c)(3) organization that operates Emerald Academy. Learn more at emeraldcharterschools.org.
John Crooks is director of communications for Emerald Youth Foundation.