• Charter Schools

  • The Knox County Board of Education believes high quality charter schools have the potential to be a useful structure to help effectively educate Knox County students and enhance quality public education choices for all students and their families.

    Charter Schools are meant to serve as innovative learning centers where strong teachers and experienced administrators advance each student’s achievement every day, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability, proficiency in English, academic ability, social capital or family income.

    » KCS Chartering Office

  • Emerald Academy Renewal

    Please review the application for Emerald Academy: Renewal. The Application can be found under the Current Requests to KCS tab. We welcome your comments. In the upper right corner of the survey, you can adjust for a Spanish option. Window for Public Comment is open June 3-July 31. 

    » Submit Public Comment

      Application

      • » TDOE Application to Start a New Charter School

         

        Please review the KCS Application Documents tab for more information.

         

        Timeline

        • December 3, 2024- Letter of Intent submitted to KCS and TDOE.
          • The Letter of Intent must be completed and submitted to the applicant’s local board of education and the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) no later than December 3. When the December 3 deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or State observed holiday, the letter of intent is due on the next business day by 11:59 pm CT.
        • February 3, 2025- Application submitted to KCS and TDOE (11:59 pm CT). 
          • The Application must be completed and delivered to the applicant’s local board of education and the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) no later than February 1. When the February 1 deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or State observed holiday, the letter of intent is due on the next business day by 11:59 pm CT.

      KCS Application Documents

      Current Requests to KCS

      Approved Charter Schools

      Charter Progress & Performance

      KCS Authorizing Reports

      Resources