Great Hearts Academies is done trying to open a charter school in Nashville for now. The Arizona-based organization says in a statement that at this point “a successful school opening would be impossible.”
Tuesday night the Metro school board rejected the organization for a fourth time, defying a state order to approve a new West Nashville charter school.
Great Hearts says it has met all the requirements to open a charter, including on the issues of diversity and transportation. But Metro school board members argue the school inappropriately caters to the affluent.
A statement says Great Hearts may decide to apply for a charter in the future when Tennessee’s laws change and– quote – provide for open enrollment…and impartial authorizers.”
There has been some discussion of a statewide authority that could allow charters to open, even if local school boards disapprove.
A statement from Metro Schools says “the district will learn from this experience.”
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