Second School in Metro to Convert to Charter

Another traditional school in Nashville is set to become a charter. Education officials say they’ve found a model that works, and now they’re expanding on it.

Test scores at Brick Church Middle in north Nashville have languished for years. Now Metro officials working with the state want to try something they say is already proving itself at another school in the district. Cameron Middle has been shifting control, one grade at a time, to a charter-operator called LEAD Public Schools.

Officials say the move to expand on that model at Brick Church is a vote of confidence in LEAD. Founder Jeremy Kane is quick to share credit with his Metro counterparts:

“This could have been – and in other cities we talk about all the time – it’s a very contentious relationship between districts and charters. And it’s a ‘one wins and one loses’ sort-of proposition. Here I think we’ve finally discovered a secret sauce for a win-win.”

Kane notes the state has already given its blessing for LEAD to convert more schools. He says he’ll unveil plans for growth in the next few weeks.