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Tennessee Public Charter School Commission approves Libertas High School replication for 2027–28
Summary
On April 17, 2026 the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission approved Libertas School of Memphis’s replication application to open Libertas High School in the 2027–28 school year after staff review, a capacity interview and a public hearing; the vote was unanimous (7–0).
The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission voted unanimously April 17 to approve Libertas School of Memphis’s initial replication application to open Libertas High School beginning in the 2027–28 school year.
Executive Director Tess Stovall told commissioners that staff’s review committee, a 90‑minute capacity interview and a public hearing supported the recommendation. “My recommendation for Libertas High School’s initial application for a high school is to approve the initial replication application for Libertas,” Stovall said. The commission completed a roll‑call vote with seven ayes.
Why it mattered: Libertas operates an existing preK–8 network in Memphis that, according to staff, has a strong performance record. Stovall and staff cited a string of favorable performance indicators: the school earned level‑5 TVOS ratings in 2025 and in five of the last six years, and outperformed Shelby County Schools on the state assessment by more than 10 points in both English language arts and math in 2025. Staff said Libertas maintains conservative enrollment modeling, positive cash flow in its five‑year budget and strong governance practices, including succession planning and a state‑approved Montessori teacher‑preparation program.
Staff framed the decision under the commission’s replication pathway (created by Public Chapter 275), which allows high‑performing schools to apply directly to the commission. Beth Figueroa, director of authorizing, reviewed the three stages of staff review—document evaluation by an independent review committee, a capacity interview with the governing board and a public hearing—and reminded commissioners that the commission has 90 days to complete its initial review.
Commissioners emphasized both Libertas’s record and the limitations of the proposed high‑school model. Commissioner Patterson described the school as “exemplary” and noted its strong community ties; other commissioners praised the applicant’s planning and contingency staffing and facility options. Commissioners also noted that the proposed high school will not be a comprehensive high school and that Libertas has clearly articulated the services it will and will not provide.
What was reviewed: Staff said the application included three viable facility options feasible within the proposed timeline, a staffing plan that stages at least two staff and a principal to incubate within the existing middle school before opening, conservative enrollment assumptions with a projected matriculation of current students (staff said the return rate is north of 80 percent), and a five‑year budget grounded in conservative revenue projections and historical audit practices.
Next steps: With commission approval on first read, Libertas may proceed with the preopening activities described in its application with plans to open in fall 2027. If the commission had denied the application, the operator would have had 30 days to submit an amended application for the July meeting; approval would have been final if the commission denied a subsequent amended replication application.
The commission’s next quarterly meeting is scheduled for July 24 in Knoxville.
