10 Memphis schools to split $5 million grant

Ten Memphis schools, including Southwest Tennessee Community College's new high school, will split $5 million in federal grant money designed to help launch new or expanded high-quality charter school options. 

While the grant was available statewide, only Memphis schools were awarded money this round. All are within Shelby County Schools.

The Tennessee Department of Education, which allocates the money, announced the funding Thursday. Charter schools are publicly funded but run by private organizations.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Education announced $245 million would be available for increasing school choice options. Tennessee, which received $20 million, was one of eight states to win a piece of the pie. The schools announced Thursday are the first in the state to receive funding through this grant.

Some of the schools will be opening this fall. Others will use the money to share their best practices with other schools. The schools had to apply for the grants. 

"Applicants were evaluated on their ability to improve learning for historically disadvantaged students, serve and prioritize students attending state’s lowest performing schools, and demonstrate a proven track record of student academic success," the state said in a release.

Schools receiving dollars:

Artesian-Southwest Early College High School (9–12)

Gateway University (9–12)

Legacy Leadership Academy (6–9)

Memphis School of Excellence Elementary (K–5)

Kaleidoscope School of Memphis (6–8)

Promise Academy (K–5)

Memphis Delta Preparatory Charter School (K–5)

Memphis STEM Academy (6–8)

Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Elementary School (K–5)

Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Middle School (6–8)