About Us
future-oriented
Innovating Education
Our talented teachers work hard to incorporate a rich diversity of skills development, curriculum, and extracurricular activity into each day. And our staff works hard to direct our school’s resources where our students need them most.
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- Parent choice and involvement
- Using the community as the classroom
- Fostering a child’s innate creativity
- Collaborating to achieve goals
- Building relationships
- Personalizing learning
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Student Driven
Students come first at Empower Academy. We empower our students by putting them in the driver’s seat of their education.
Just Start
At Empower Academy, we value progress over perfection. We believe that continuous improvement happens through real implementation.
Actions Match Words
We align our school, faculty and curriculum with our goals and mission. We keep promises and share truth with our parents students and community.
"Environment matters.... We believe that we thrive when there is care and beauty around us."
Turn on the lights
Data Driven
We wake up and smell the coffee. We face the data, good or bad. We are smart and agile to make necessary changes to improve our school. We are reflective and expect the same from our students.
communication is key
personal service
Revolution happens outside our comfort zone
Pioneers never have it easy. At Springs, we get comfortable with being uncomfortable! Our sacred quest is to change the very structure of public education, which requires us to get knee-deep in messy cognitive dissonance. We a blazing a trail through the educational jungle, so make sure to bring your bushwacker!
We are all builders
Fun and Flexible
Keep it simply stated (KISS)
Together We can innovate your child's education
important things you should know
Questions And Answers
Empower Academy is planning to open for the 2024-25 school year with students in kindergarten through 5th grade. After year one, the academy will add additional grades up to 8th. Any student within Rutherford County is eligible to enroll in Empower Academy.
We believe in innovation. Our mission focuses on innovating education through building relationships, fostering creativity, involving parents and challenging the norm.
Our team is working on opening our doors to students Fall of 2024.
Empower Academy is in the process of purchasing a 10 acre property off of Enon Springs Road in the town of Smyrna close to Old Nashville Highway. This will be a brand new school building with opportunities to support our program’s mission and vision along with plans for future expansion and development.
Families will need to provide their own transportation or walk to school. To the greatest extent possible, the Empower Academy will also support families wishing to carpool with other families to help with transportation.
Yes, Empower Academy incorporates state standards into its curriculum. Empower Academy aims to provide a comprehensive education that aligns with the educational requirements and standards set by the state in which it operates. By adhering to state standards, Empower Academy ensures that students receive an education that meets or exceeds the prescribed learning objectives and expectations outlined by the state education department. Our personalized learning plans allow our teachers the flexibility to adjust teaching standards to each student.
Empower Academy offers a comprehensive individualized learning through Montessori inspired teaching practices that includes core subjects such as English, mathematics, science, and social studies. Specific course offerings may vary based on grade level or student and parent interests. Empower Academy is striving to bring a public charter school that reflects the extracurricular activities the community wishes to see for their students.
Parents are encouraged to actively engage in their child’s education. We strive to meet with our parents often in regard to their students’ personalized learning pathway. The teachers ask to meet with the parents at least three times a year to plan and monitor progress. Parents can volunteer for school activities, and most importantly collaborate with teachers and staff to support their child’s academic journey.
Prior to opening of the school, parents and community members can get involved through parent action teams. These parent lead teams will be empowered to help share the opportunity for enrollment with the community and help with fundraising and community activities.
Grades K-5 for year one, and adding an additional grade each year following up to grade 8.
Empower Academy is committed to providing an inclusive education and support for students with special needs. The school offers various resources such as individualized education plans (IEPs), accommodations, and specialized instruction to ensure that every student has equal opportunities to succeed academically and socially.
Empower Academy is the first locally approved public charter school in Rutherford County. It is a specialized educational program within Springs Public Schools that focuses on empowering students with the skills and knowledge necessary for academic success and personal growth. Empower Academy is open to all, tuition-free, and focuses on personalized learning with Montessori principles.
To obtain more information about Empower Academy, you can reach out to the school administration at 615-237-7170. We are happy to assist you with any questions or inquiries you may have.
The application process for Empower Academy involves completing an application form through the Rutherford County School District website, submitting necessary documents such as birth certificate, proof of residency, and immunization records. Open enrollment will begin early December 2023 and will close January 31, 2024. More detailed dates on the enrollment window will be provided in the future.
Yes, Empower Academy provides a variety of specialized programs and services to support student growth. The academy aims to provide a well-rounded education tailored to meet the unique needs of each student. Parents and students will be asked for feedback and input into the creation of additional specialized programs, athletics, the arts, and more.
Empower Academy strives to maintain smaller class sizes to facilitate personalized attention and a conducive learning environment. The specific class sizes may vary depending on the grade level and overall enrollment. Empower Academy also offers teacher assistants in each classroom. Each classroom will have a credentialed teacher, and a teacher assistant to allow for smaller groups and one-on-one lessons.