Emerald Academy: Positively Impacting City Scholars for Ten Years
By Focus Staff
Eriana Spencer moved to Knoxville at five years old to live with her grandparents. She started her schooling at a traditional public school, but by 2016, as sixth grade approached, her grandmother Norma felt it was time to find an education option that would truly set Eriana up for success in high school and beyond.
When they discovered Emerald Academy, at the time a brand-new public charter school located in the Mechanicsville neighborhood, they decided to take a leap of faith. Eriana became part of the school’s inaugural sixth-grade class, and though the decision was a leap of faith, Norma reflects, “It was the best choice we ever made.”
Eriana, now a student at the University of Virgina (UVA), is a great example of her own assertion that Emerald Academy empowers its scholars to see their options, make good choices for their futures and then pursue those plans with all the resources available. As she puts it, Emerald Academy teaches scholars that “yes, you are capable.” She believes that the greatest advantage of coming to Emerald Academy was how her eyes were opened to the diversity of educational possibilities available to her.
Emerald Academy offers a tuition-free, college-preparatory education for kindergarten through eighth-grade students. Its mission is ambitious yet simple: To prepare scholars for the college of their choice and community leadership.
The school’s latest outcomes reveal progress and dedication, including: The schoolwide academic growth of Emerald Academy’s scholars earned a Level 4 rating, a reflection of sustained academic progress across multiple subject areas. Over the past four years, the schoolwide proficiency rate increased by 40%, which fueled the school to have a higher percentage of minority and economically disadvantaged students performing on or above grade level than any of Tennessee’s four largest metropolitan school districts – Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville – for the third year in a row.
Emerald Academy School Director Carlissa Weeks attributes this success to the school’s culture of excellence. “One of our school’s core values is excellence. We keep pushing ourselves to be the best,” said Weeks. “Our high expectations for faculty, scholars and families are paying off, and I believe this dedication will lead to even greater achievements. I’ve seen so much growth in the years I have been here, first as a teacher, and now school director, and I can’t wait to see how far we go.”
Emerald Academy isn’t only about academic results, it’s about creating a thriving community. Chronic absenteeism has dropped by over 50% in the last three years, and the scholar attrition rate hit an all-time low during the 2023-2024 school year.
“Every day we strive to create an environment where scholars and families feel supported,” said Steve Diggs, president of Emerald Charter Schools. “These milestones confirm that we’re on the right track, but our mission remains clear: to prepare scholars for college and leadership roles in their communities.”
What makes Emerald Academy special? It’s the people: teachers, staff and families who pour their hearts into making the school a place of learning and growth – a place where the teacher retention rate hit an all-time high during 2023-2024. Parent feedback consistently emphasizes the school’s academic rigor, personalized support, deep relational connections and holistic care.
“The academics are what drove us here and made us stay,” parent Christal Bourne said. She and her husband, John, agree the faculty and staff make them feel important – and heard – as parents when challenges arise, and they know their children are cared for daily.
Emerald Academy faculty go above and beyond to ensure scholars’ success, including connecting scholars with unique learning opportunities. One example: last school year, eighth-grade scholar Amara-Asa Nwachukwu submitted an entry to the national essay contest, “Do the Write Thing.” Amara won the contest locally, which was sponsored by Knox County District Attorney General Charme Allen, and travelled to Washington, D.C., in July where she presented her essay to the Library of Congress, toured the U.S. Capitol and dined with the Ambassador of Kuwait.
Life at Emerald Academy is intentionally designed to inspire its scholars to dream big and achieve even bigger. From the moment they step into the school, scholars are met with a culture that prioritizes excellence, respect and the belief that higher education is within their reach.
One of the unique features of Emerald Academy is that each classroom is named after schools from the Southeastern Conference, the Ivy League and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This intentional choice surrounds scholars with reminders of academic achievement and the legacy of educational institutions that have shaped so many leaders. Walking through the halls, you’ll see names like Fisk University, Howard University, the University of Tennessee, MIT and Harvard, reinforcing the message that attending college is not just a far-off dream, it’s real and available to achieve.
Mornings often begin with affirmations and goal setting, helping scholars start their day with purpose and positivity. Inside the classrooms, learning comes to life through diligent academic instruction combined with engaging, hands-on activities. Scholars are constantly encouraged to think critically and aim high.
“I enjoy watching my kindergarteners grow from beginning to end of the year. Seeing them transition from pre-K students to model Emerald Academy scholars is so fun and rewarding as a teacher,” said kindergarten teacher Laura Williamson.
Beyond academics, classrooms are also spaces for character and leadership development. Teachers weave lessons on resilience, kindness and accountability into daily discussions, shaping scholars into well-rounded individuals ready to lead in their communities.
Afternoons bring opportunities for even more enrichment, with scholars having the chance to participate in extracurricular activities that range from sports to arts and leadership programs. These extracurriculars aren’t just for fun, they’re essential for enhancing teamwork, building confidence and creating meaningful connections in the community.
At the end of each day, scholars leave not just with new knowledge but also with the encouragement to continue striving for greatness in everything they do.
Emerald Academy faculty and staff look forward to educating young people not only for the remainder of the current school year, but for the decade to come. Charter schools are approved to operate for ten years at a time, and in January, Emerald Academy is up for renewal before the Knox County Board of Education.
Additionally, with the 2025-2026 school year approaching, enrollment is open now. Any Knox County resident with a rising kindergarten through eighth grade student is eligible to apply. There are no additional criteria for admittance, and if interest outnumbers available seats, a blind lottery will be conducted to determine admission. Applications are accepted online at www.emeraldacademy.org/enroll or you can call the school at (865) 249-7223 for more information.
