Tallahassee Schools Face Change as Renaissance Academy Closes

News Summary

Tallahassee’s educational landscape is shifting with the closure of Renaissance Academy and the upcoming opening of Tallahassee Preparatory Academy. The public charter school, struggling with low enrollment and financial sustainability, will close at the end of the current school year. The new private academy aims to serve advanced learners and has set ambitious enrollment goals. Community reactions raise concerns about accessibility and equity in education as the transition unfolds.

Tallahassee Faces Educational Changes as Renaissance Academy Closes and New Private School Opens

The Renaissance Academy, a public charter school in Leon County, will close its doors at the end of the 2024-2025 school year due to ongoing struggles with low enrollment and financial sustainability. The property will soon be leased to a new private institution, the Tallahassee Preparatory Academy, which plans to open in the fall of 2025.

Currently, Renaissance Academy accommodates 242 students, but a dwindling student body has prompted its management to seek alternatives. The school, owned by Charter Schools USA, has been in negotiations regarding leasing its property to the new private school for some time. As a result of this transition, all staff and students at Renaissance Academy are encouraged to either apply for positions at Tallahassee Preparatory Academy or enroll in local public schools.

Details About the New School

Tallahassee Preparatory Academy aims to cater to advanced learners, initially planning to accept students in grades pre-K through 9. It is managed by Discovery Science Schools (DSS), headquartered in Orlando, although the school has yet to appoint a principal. Until one is appointed, Zafer Demir, vice president of DSS, will oversee daily operations.

The new academy has ambitious enrollment goals, expecting to accommodate up to 600 students by August 2025. Tuition for students through the state voucher program is projected to average $8,000, with additional fees varying by grade level. Importantly, prospective students will need to meet specific performance criteria based on state exam results to gain admission.

Educational Concerns and Reactions

Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna has expressed concerns about the impact of the new private school on local public education. He criticized both the introduction of the academy and the state voucher program as facilitators of “cherry-picking” students, potentially undermining the stability and quality of public schools.

In the current year, Renaissance Academy has received approximately $1.8 million in tax dollars for operations and earned a C grade from the state education department. These challenges highlight the ongoing debate about funding and the efficacy of charter versus public schools in the area.

Support for Diverse Learners

It is important to note that Tallahassee Preparatory Academy plans to focus on STEM and advanced studies, which means that it may offer limited services for students with disabilities and those learning English. This focus has raised additional concerns regarding accessibility and equity in education, particularly for families that rely on public education systems.

As the educational landscape shifts in Tallahassee, many community members are closely monitoring these developments. The closure of Renaissance Academy signals not only a change for the students currently enrolled but also contributes to a broader conversation about educational choices in the county, highlighting the challenges faced by traditional public schools amidst rising private options.

The forthcoming transition reflects ongoing trends in education where charter and private schools increasingly gain prominence, raising questions about the future of public education and the principles of fair access and quality education for all students.

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Additional Resources

• Pasco News Online
• Tallahassee.com
• Patch.com
• Google Search: education in Tallahassee
• Wikipedia: Charter School