Preparing scholars to navigate and change the world.
RePublic Schools is a free, open-enrollment network of public charter schools, made up of passionate teachers and leaders dedicated to reimagining public education in the South.
WE ARE REPUBLIC
Founded in 2011, RePublic Schools serve more than 3,100 scholars in seven schools across two cities; Jackson, Mississippi and Nashville, Tennessee. We prepare our scholars, the majority of whom come from underserved communities, to attend the college of their choice through challenging academics, including computer science.
REPUBLIC AT A GLANCE
WHY WE’RE HERE
THE SOUTH IS HOME TO HISTORIC INEQUITY
Since the beginning, public education in the South was not built to ensure all children succeed. Communities of color and low-income communities have been and continue to be underserved. At RePublic, we believe this is an injustice and we are committed to ensuring that our scholars receive an excellent education and are able to live a choice-filled life.
THE LOWEST ODDS
A child in the Deep South has the lowest odds of going from the bottom of the income distribution to the top. We are helping to turn those odds around.
NOT COLLEGE READY
In 2019, the average ACT score in Nashville’s public schools was an 18.5, far below a college ready score of 21. We ensure our scholars are on track and prepared to succeed in college and beyond.
FALLING BEHIND
According to U.S. News & World Report, Mississippi is ranked 45th in the country for academic achievement and Tennessee is ranked 38th. We work to ensure our scholars do not fall behind and experience academic success.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
WE LEAD AND SUPPORT SCHOOLS ANCHORED IN LOVE, ACHIEVEMENT, AND ANTI-RACISM.
To reimagine public education in the South means we challenge the status quo. We believe that the way things have always been done is not enough and does not benefit our students. Therefore, we make a commitment to our scholars and their families that we set them up for success now and in the future.
EVERY SCHOLAR WILL GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE
An excellent college-preparatory education will set students up for success in whatever life path or career they choose.
EVERY SCHOLAR WILL LEARN COMPUTER SCIENCE
All of our scholars, including our elementary school scholars, receive computer science education, leading to AP Computer Science Principles at our high school. This gives our scholars a competitive edge as they enter college and beyond.
OUR RESULTS
PROVING WHAT’S POSSIBLE FOR KIDS IN THE SOUTH.
IN JACKSON
In the 2021-2022 school year, the state of Mississippi announced that Smilow Collegiate – the network’s first elementary school – has received an accountability rating of B. This past year, SC achieved 62% reading growth and 76% math growth on the MAAP state assessment. This means that 62% of state-tested SC scholars achieved significant growth in reading, and 76% of scholars made significant growth in math!
Our Jackson middle schools – Reimagine Prep and Smilow Prep – are two of the highest-performing non-magnet middle schools in the city. Each of our middle schools were rated C for the 2021-2022 school year. RP and SP demonstrated high growth rates on state exams in both reading and math. Of significance, SP achieved 60% growth in reading and 79% growth in math. RP achieved 62% growth in reading and 69% growth in math.
In the 2021-2022 school year, the state of Mississippi announced that Smilow Collegiate – the network’s first elementary school – has received an accountability rating of B. This past year, SC achieved 62% reading growth and 76% math growth on the MAAP state assessment. This means that 62% of state-tested SC scholars achieved significant growth in reading, and 76% of scholars made significant growth in math!
Our Jackson middle schools – Reimagine Prep and Smilow Prep – are two of the highest-performing non-magnet middle schools in the city. Each of our middle schools were rated C for the 2021-2022 school year. RP and SP demonstrated high growth rates on state exams in both reading and math. Of significance, SP achieved 60% growth in reading and 79% growth in math. RP achieved 62% growth in reading and 69% growth in math.
For the two years straight (2021-2023) school years, the State of Tennessee announced that all three RePublic schools in Nashville – Nashville Prep, Liberty Collegiate Academy, and RePublic High School – earned the highest possible score – a level 5 – on the TN Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS). This means that our scholars are growing at some of the highest rates in the state of TN.
Additionally, Nashville Prep and Liberty Collegiate Academy – earned Reward School Status, the highest possible designation for a school in Tennessee.
IN NASHVILLE
For the two years straight (2021-2023) school years, the State of Tennessee announced that all three RePublic schools in Nashville – Nashville Prep, Liberty Collegiate Academy, and RePublic High School – earned the highest possible score – a level 5 – on the TN Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS). This means that our scholars are growing at some of the highest rates in the state of TN.
Additionally, Nashville Prep and Liberty Collegiate Academy – earned Reward School Status, the highest possible designation for a school in Tennessee.