Jackson Museum School wins state approval to open as charter elementary in 2026

Dr. Jean Little said the Jackson Museum School received state approval to open in 2026 and will launch as a public, non-zoned charter elementary school that initially will serve kindergarten through second grade. She told hosts the school’s priorities now are staffing, enrollment and facilities and that the program will add grades each year until it reaches sixth grade.

The approval, Little said, came Oct. 16. "On October 16, we were received approval to move forward for 2026," she told the program. Little said the application lists a potential long-term capacity of up to 700 students in K–6, but added the school intends a slow-growth plan to ensure sustainability and strong early-grade foundations.

Little said enrollment interest is highest for kindergarten: "About 60% of our intent to enrolls are for kindergarten," she said, and the school is accepting student and staff applications through its website, jacksonmuseumschool.org. She described the museum-model curriculum as Tennessee state standards presented in a hands-on, movement-rich format rather than a different set of academic standards.

On staffing, Little said the school has posted openings for school leadership and teacher positions and that it uses a multi-stage application process to recruit educators open to the museum-model approach. She said a facility location remains under negotiation and that a feasibility study has just been completed; she declined to name the site while negotiations finish.

The school will be publicly funded as a charter, Little emphasized, and will operate under the state’s charter-authorizing rules. Next steps she listed are finalizing facilities, continuing to collect enrollment intent forms, and completing the hiring process ahead of the planned 2026 opening.