Emerald Academy Delivers Standout Academic Growth for Knoxville Scholars
Scholars work on a lesson in their classroom at Emerald Academy.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Emerald Academy, Knoxville’s first public charter school, is marking significant academic milestones as the school celebrates its 11th year of operation. The school recently earned a B on the Tennessee State Report Card, reflecting Emerald Academy’s continued success in accelerating student achievement and changing the academic trajectory for urban youth in Knoxville.
Founded in 2015 with a mission to prepare kindergarten through eighth grade scholars for the college of their choice and community leadership, Emerald Academy continues to deliver on its mission by demonstrating meaningful gains across key academic indicators.
Among the school’s most notable achievements in the 2024-2025 academic year:
Exceptional 3rd Grade Reading Growth: Emerald Academy’s third graders posted the largest one-year gain in reading proficiency across all of Knox County. This growth propelled Emerald Academy third graders to outperform the district as well as the entire state in reading proficiency, a critical indicator of long-term academic success.
Strong Outcomes for Lower-Income Scholars: Emerald Academy’s lower-income scholars surpassed their peers across the state in both reading and math.
Highest Possible Growth Rating: Emerald Academy earned a Level 5 growth score, the highest rating possible under the state accountability system, indicating that scholars’ academic progress significantly exceeded that of students statewide.
“Under the leadership of our school director, Carlissa Weeks, Emerald Academy continues to make tremendous gains,” said Emerald Charter Schools president Steve Diggs. “During the past five years, we have improved academic proficiency by 56%. While we still have not reached our aspirational and ultimate goals, I’m confident that we will continue to progress toward them under her leadership and with the partnership of our faculty, families and scholars,” said Diggs.
Emerald Academy is a public school, but as a nonprofit charter school, it relies on philanthropy to provide needed intervention services, counseling and behavioral health services, unexpected expenses and facility improvements, among others. As the 2025 calendar year concludes, donations in support of Emerald Academy can be made at emeraldacademy.org/donate.
Additionally, enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year is open now. For more information or to apply, visit emeraldacademy.org/enroll or call (865) 249-7223. Translation services are available.
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About Emerald Academy & Emerald Charter Schools
Emerald Academy (EA) opened as Knoxville’s first public charter school in 2015. Located in the historic Moses School Building at 220 Carrick Street, EA is a co-ed, K-8, college preparatory school with a mission to prepare urban scholars for the college of their choice and community leadership. Learn more about Emerald Academy at emeraldacademy.org. Founded in 2014, Emerald Charter Schools is a non-sectarian, 501(c)(3) organization that operates Emerald Academy. Learn more at emeraldcharterschools.org.