Rocketship seeks to open school in Rutherford County

Rocketship Public Schools Tennessee, a network of nonprofit public charter schools, is looking to expand to Rutherford County with the opening of a new K-5 elementary school. 

Rocketship has submitted a charter school application to the Rutherford County School Board. The Board will vote on the application at their meeting on Thursday, April 24. If approved, the school will open for the 2026-27 school year, giving families in LaVergne and Smyrna a new high-quality public school option. Rocketship has received multiple Reward School recognitions from the State of Tennessee and national recognition for closing the achievement gap for historically underserved students. 

“Rocketship offers a proven, innovative approach to elementary education that accelerates student learning and fosters strong community partnerships,” said Eric Dailey, Executive Director of Rocketship Education Tennessee. “We believe every child, regardless of background, deserves an excellent education that prepares students for lifelong success, and we are excited to partner with families in Rutherford County to make that a reality.” 

Rocketship’s unique model combines personalized learning, targeted teacher development, and deep family engagement to ensure every student reaches their full potential. Tailoring instruction for individual students is especially beneficial for high-need students such as English Language Learners and students with special needs. 

Rocketship leaders have been discussing the proposed school with local community members and support for the school is growing. Families who enroll at a Rocketship school can expect:

• Accelerated academic growth – Rocketship students consistently outperform local district averages, with demonstrated gains in literacy and math. The school’s approach focuses on accelerating learning growth, particularly for English learners and students with special needs.
• Personalized learning & small-group instruction – Teachers use real-time data to tailor instruction, ensuring each student gets the support they need to thrive.
• Social-emotional learning (SEL) & wraparound services – The school integrates SEL into the daily curriculum and partners with local organizations to provide families with essential resources, such as mental health support, employment assistance, and food security programs.
• Strong school community – Rocketship schools work closely with parents, offering home visits, leadership training, and volunteer opportunities to ensure families play an active role in their child’s education. By tradition, founding parents even help name the new school. 

Rocketship currently operates three high-performing schools in Tennessee—Rocketship Nashville Northeast Elementary, Rocketship United Academy, and Rocketship Dream Community Prep—serving nearly 1,500 students.