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MNPS board renews KIPP Nashville charter, unanimously votes not to renew Knowledge Academy at the Crossings
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Summary
The Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools board voted 9–0 to renew KIPP Academy Nashville Middle School’s charter and separately voted 9–0 to deny renewal for Knowledge Academy at the Crossings after staff detailed long-running academic, operational and financial concerns, including a cited audit deficit.
The Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Board of Education on Dec. 16 approved two separate actions on charter renewals: it renewed KIPP Academy Nashville Middle School’s charter and voted to deny a renewal for Knowledge Academy at the Crossings.
The charter office recommended KIPP Academy Nashville Middle School for renewal after rating the applicant as meeting or exceeding state standards across academic, operational and financial categories. The board approved the renewal by voice vote; members recorded the motion and second and the measure passed unanimously.
By contrast, MNPS staff recommended nonrenewal for Knowledge Academy at the Crossings, citing multiple deficiencies in the renewal application and in the school’s record. The charter office reported that Knowledge Academy’s renewal application showed long-running academic shortfalls (including TVAAS and proficiency measures that did not meet charter goals), persistent high chronic absenteeism (reported at about 39% in 2024), prior probation and oversight actions, and financial concerns. The charter office cited an independent audit that reported a deficit of approximately $6,280,000 and said the school currently enrolls 343 students while the renewal application proposed a capacity of 1,112.
Board members debated the consequences of nonrenewal, emphasizing the disruption to roughly 350 students if the school closed and the need to ensure receiving schools have capacity. MNPS staff said the district’s boundary and planning team had assessed nearby schools and identified seats at traditional zone and optional schools including John Overton, Antioch Middle, JFK, Apollo, Cane Ridge and Antioch High School. Staff also said the district has a closure plan it would submit to the state if the board’s decision stood and that the school’s governing body would have 10 days to appeal to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission.
Member Mays moved to deny renewal for Knowledge Academy at the Crossings under MNPS’s charter authorizing standards and state guidance; the motion was seconded and the board voted 9–0 to deny renewal. MNPS officials noted that the district has pursued closure or revocation actions in the past and that the state commission has sometimes overturned district decisions; members said they weighed both the instructional harm of keeping a persistently low-performing operator and the disruption to families.
The meeting record shows MNPS followed state rubric and charter-office review procedures in its recommendation. The charter office told board members it provides oversight, two annual site visits, targeted supports (including specialists for exceptional education and English learners) and publishes ratings so authorizers and the public can track performance. The board’s action now begins the 10‑day window during which Knowledge Academy’s governing body may appeal to the state charter commission.
Next steps: if an appeal is filed, the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission will set a hearing, likely in late January or February, and may uphold or overturn the district’s decision. MNPS staff said they will coordinate the school-choice process and communications for families and will run choice fairs and staffing supports for displaced staff if the decision stands.
