Join Chalkbeat Tennessee’s free e-newsletter to maintain up with statewide training coverage and Memphis-Shelby County Faculties.
Memphis dad and mom at Ida B. Wells Academy are questioning why district leaders would suggest closing a faculty that earned the very best potential state rating for pupil development final yr.
The open-enrollment Ok-8 faculty in South Memphis is one in all 5 the district is recommending for closure on the finish of this faculty yr. In the course of the mandated neighborhood listening to Wednesday, dad and mom stated that Ida B. Wells’ educational development and small class sizes ought to make it a mannequin for Memphis-Shelby County Faculties.
However MSCS leaders say the college’s declining enrollment and excessive services prices make it unsuitable to maintain open. Solely 84 college students attend Ida B. Wells this yr, leaving over 400 out there spots unfilled. And the constructing wants $5.8 million in repairs over the subsequent decade.
“There’s nothing about this that feels proper,” stated Michelle McKissack, the MSCS board member who represents Ida B. Wells Academy. “It’s the toughest factor {that a} board member has to do.”
MSCS board members are anticipated to vote on the 5 proposed closures in February. That call is an element of a bigger plan from Interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond to shut down as much as 15 colleges by 2028 attributable to services prices and persistent underenrollment.
Ida B. Wells Academy earned the very best state rating, a 5, on the 2024-25 Tennessee Worth-Added Evaluation System, which measures for enchancment in pupil educational efficiency. The college additionally barely outperformed the district on state studying and math standardized assessments, with 25% and 26.7% proficiency charges respectively
Throughout Wednesday’s assembly, dad and mom credited that success to the college’s devoted lecturers and small class sizes. Erica Smith has two kids at Ida B. Wells, one in all whom has a sleep situation.
“The lecturers listed here are superb at serving to her,” she informed Chalkbeat. “She’s not behind.”
MSCS leaders stated 21 instructing positions can be affected if Ida B. Wells is closed. Smith stated she’s nervous about transitioning to a much bigger faculty, the place lecturers “won’t know the way to deal with her [child’s] scenario.”
Ida B. Wells just isn’t a conventional neighborhood faculty; kids apply to attend by the open enrollment course of. Which means displaced college students would have the choice to attend their zoned colleges or select one other one.
“I heard a lot of you say you just like the small surroundings right here,” stated MSCS Enrollment Advisor Stacey Davis. “We’ve many different colleges that provide that small surroundings setting.”
However dad and mom stated Ida B. Wells is not like another faculty in its space. Some requested why MSCS doesn’t have a coverage that forestalls the highest-achieving colleges from being really helpful for closure.
“You’ve given us some extra causes and suggestions that we are able to take again to the board to contemplate,” stated Chief Educational Officer Angela Whitelaw. “Suggestions can change as we pay attention.”
Make amends for Chalkbeat Tennessee’s protection of different Memphis faculty closure discussions at:
Bri Hatch covers Memphis-Shelby County Faculties for Chalkbeat Tennessee. Attain Bri at bhatch@chalkbeat.org.
