News Summary
Renaissance Academy in Tallahassee, Florida, has announced its closure following the 2024-2025 academic year. The governing board has signed a lease with Tallahassee Preparatory Academy, which will take over the property and convert it into a private institution. The closure raises concerns about the impact on the predominantly low-income student body and the challenges faced by the public charter school. The new academy aims to serve 600 students with a focus on advanced STEM education, while current staff members are encouraged to seek positions elsewhere.
Tallahassee, Florida – Renaissance Academy, a public charter school located in Leon County, is set to close its doors at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 academic year. This decision comes as the school’s governing board has finalized a lease agreement with Tallahassee Preparatory Academy, which will take over the existing Renaissance Academy property at 4351 Mahan Drive starting in the fall of 2025, transitioning into a private educational institution.
The finalized lease agreement was reached after several months of negotiations, with the property initially listed for $14.5 million. Following its closure, Renaissance Academy will cease operations, prompting concerns regarding the effect on its current student body and staff, as the school currently serves 242 scholars, predominantly from low-income backgrounds and the Black community.
During the 2023-24 academic year, Renaissance Academy, designated as a Title I school, received $1.8 million in public funding. However, despite this support, the school has experienced challenges in maintaining adequate enrollment and overall sustainability. Recent assessments from the state education department resulted in a C grade for Renaissance Academy, further contributing to the decision to close.
Tallahassee Preparatory Academy aims to provide advanced educational opportunities and will eventually expand to serve students up to grade 9. Managed by Discovery Science Schools, a service provider based in Orlando, the new institution has set a goal of enrolling 600 students in its first year of operation. The financial model for Tallahassee Preparatory Academy will follow a tuition framework tied to state voucher programs, with estimated annual tuition set at $8,000, plus additional fees depending on the grade level.
Admission requirements for the new school will include specific scores on state assessments, with an alternative entrance exam for those who do not meet the initial criteria. However, concerns have been raised about the limitations in support services for students with disabilities or those who are English language learners, as the school will focus primarily on STEM and advanced studies.
In light of this transition, Renaissance Academy staff members have been encouraged to apply for positions at Tallahassee Preparatory Academy or consider opportunities within the public education system. The restructuring of education in this manner has sparked discussion among local and regional educational leaders concerning the implications of state-funded voucher programs on traditional public schools.
Superintendent Rocky Hanna of Leon County Schools has expressed apprehension about the potential consequences of diverting public funds to private institutions. He has voiced concerns regarding the lack of accountability that may accompany the transition to private school systems and how this trend might undermine public education in the area.
The closure of Renaissance Academy and the subsequent establishment of Tallahassee Preparatory Academy signal significant changes in the educational landscape of Leon County. As the community prepares for this transition, the focus remains on the future of its students and how educational choices will shape their learning experiences in the coming years.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee Democrat: Charter School Closure
- WTXL: New Private School to Replace Charter School
- Stacker: Best Private K-12 Schools in Tallahassee
- Keys News: Best Private K-12 Schools
- Tallahassee Democrat: Opinion on Public and Private Schools
- Wikipedia: Education in Florida
- Google Search: Florida Charter Schools
- Google Scholar: Florida Education Policy
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School
- Google News: Tallahassee Educational Changes
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
