Emerald Academy Scholars Outpace State and Local Averages with Record Academic Gains
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Emerald Academy scholars are achieving academic results that significantly exceed local and state performance averages, according to the school’s 2024–25 state assessment results.
Key results are as follows:
Over the past five years, overall proficiency at Emerald Academy has increased by 56%, outpacing gains made across Tennessee.
In 2024-2025, Knoxville’s first public charter school earned the state’s highest academic growth rating – Level 5 – across all subjects and grade levels, which means that Emerald Academy scholars progressed academically at a rate that was significantly greater than students all across Tennessee. This includes standout performance in seventh grade reading, where scholars’ academic growth was in the 96th percentile across the state.
Emerald Academy scholars also achieved superior performance in third grade reading – a gateway to future academic success – where 46% of scholars demonstrated proficiency compared to the state average of 42% and the Knox County average of 44%.
Emerald Academy’s commitment to educational excellence is particularly evident among its economically disadvantaged students, who consistently outperformed their peers across Knox County in nearly every tested subject and grade. For example, third grade reading proficiency among Emerald Academy’s economically disadvantaged scholars was 38%, compared to 22% for their Knox County peers, and sixth grade math proficiency among Emerald Academy’s economically disadvantaged scholars was 41%, compared to 19% for their Knox County peers.
"One of our school’s core values is high expectations – we believe that everyone can achieve,” said Emerald Academy School Director Carlissa Weeks. “Emerald Academy teachers and scholars are demonstrating this schoolwide – across grade levels, academic subjects and subgroups of scholars.”
“At Emerald Academy, we work together,” said Tymier Johnson, parent of five scholars. “Through teamwork and persistence, scholars can achieve academic success that guides them to create ideas and skills and to accelerate opportunities for their future and college of their choice. As a parent, I am proud to see that this is happening firsthand.”
“Our mission is clear: to prepare scholars for the college of their choice and for impactful leadership in their communities,” said Steve Diggs, president of Emerald Charter Schools. “Our school currently has a waitlist of over 250 young people, indicating that city families continue to want this option. These latest results show many reasons why, and we are encouraged that these outcomes are another key milestone on the school’s journey to excellence.”
City families will continue to have the opportunity to send their children to Emerald Academy for many years to come, as the Knox County Board of Education authorized Emerald Academy’s charter renewal in January following a thorough, yearlong evaluation process. The process culminated in the unanimous recommendation of Knox County Schools’ Charter Review Committee that the charter for Emerald Academy – described as a “model charter school” and “a cornerstone of the Knoxville community” – be renewed for another 10-year term.
Emerald Academy offers a tuition-free, college preparatory education for kindergarten through eighth grade scholars. For more information or to apply, visit emeraldacademy.org or call (865) 249-7223. Translation services are available.