MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Today, the Rutherford County Board of Education approved the application from Springs Public Schools Tennessee to open Empower Academy, a K-8 tuition-free public charter school focused on individualized learning. The new school, which will be located in the Smyrna-Lavergne area with plans to open in fall 2023, aims to enroll 150 students in its first year and grow to serve 800 students over time.
“We are thrilled to be approved to open in Rutherford County and appreciate the support of the school district staff, board members, families, community leaders, and so many others who have expressed their interest and enthusiasm for our school,” said Springs Empower Academy executive director Jared McLeod, who will be moving to Rutherford County with his family in the coming months. “Rutherford County is experiencing tremendous growth and Springs Empower Academy is ready to serve as a partner to the district and help meet the evolving needs of students and families in this community.”
Springs Public Schools operates over 20 public charter schools, serving more than 10,000 students across Southern California. Data shows students who attend Springs Public Schools benefit from the personalized learning model, achieving higher scores in math and English language arts (ELA) when compared to other schools in the same district. Additionally, Springs Public Schools retain teachers at a higher rate than other local districts, indicating the strong emphasis placed on educators and staff development.
“Educators are an integral part of our approach to personalized learning and creating an environment where students can unlock their full potential. We look forward to building out our team of like-minded, talented teachers living, working, and studying in the Middle Tennessee region,” McLeod said.
To learn more about Springs Charter Schools Tennessee and Empower Academy, visit springspublicschools.org.
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ABOUT SPRINGS EMPOWER ACADEMY
Springs Empower Academy is a tuition-free, public school of choice serving kindergarten- 8th-grade students coming to Rutherford County in the fall of 2023. It is guided by the ideals of authentic hands-on, meaningful activities, teacher-facilitated self-directed learning, and Montessori principles. To learn more and to join our email list, visit springspublicschools.org. Connect with Empower Academy on Facebook and Instagram at @SpringsPublicSchools.