The mission of Tennessee Classical Academies is to support local communities who want a Tennessee Classical Model school in securing approval for high-quality charter schools within their counties and to ensure those schools achieve long-term success. Tennessee Classical Academies provides professional development in the Tennessee Classical Model and ongoing business mentorship to school leadership. Through this support, new schools are positioned to demonstrate sustained academic and operational excellence, as evidenced by achieving an overall “Meets Standards” rating on the Tennessee Charter Schools Performance Framework for five consecutive years. Throughout this work, Tennessee Classical Academies remains firmly committed to the Tennessee Classical Model and its vision of goodness, truth, and beauty in the effective education of Tennessee public school students.

Tennessee is just beginning to realize the promise of Classical public charter education. While only a handful of public Classical charter schools currently serve students across the state, this model is poised for significant growth—because it works. Classical education develops sharp, curious minds, strong character, and confident learners, all while delivering academic results that surpass other models and other public schools. Rather than teaching to the test, it trains the brain, cultivates virtue, and prepares students for a lifetime of learning and leadership.

Tennessee Classical Academies stands on the shoulders of excellence. We observe and network with professionals from other national high-performing Classical public charter schools outside of our state, learning from their success and applying proven best practices here at home. This collaboration allows us to move forward with clarity and purpose, ensuring our schools are built on what works from day one and designed to deliver exceptional outcomes for every student we serve. So, although we are observers and learners of all things good in education, we are uniquely Tennessee. We are a Tennessee non-profit made up of Tennesseans.

What sets the Tennessee Classical Model apart is its seamless blend of time-tested Classical instruction with immersive outdoor learning. Students step outside multiple times each day, engaging their minds and bodies in ways that research consistently shows improve physical health, behavior, and mental well-being. Teachers, too, thrive in this environment—finding renewed joy, balance, and longevity in a profession rooted in purpose. It helps with teacher retention, which is a significant concern right now within our state.

With Tennessee’s natural beauty as an extension of the classroom, learning becomes active, inspiring, and deeply human. The Tennessee Classical Model is more than an educational approach—it is an invitation to reimagine what school can be.

Starting a classical charter school is a purposeful and inspiring journey—one that calls for clear vision, careful planning, and a deep belief that every child should have access to a rich, character-building education. The process is two to four years long. In Tennessee, this process is thorough and demanding, but with the right people, tools, and support, it’s absolutely within reach. Peruse our website, learn more, then contact us if you would like guidance on starting this uplifting version of a charter school in your community.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or community advocate, your commitment to high-quality education has the potential to ignite meaningful change.