The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission convened a special called meeting on December 2, 2024, to discuss key amendments from two charter schools: Invictus Nashville and Rocketship Dream Community Prep. The meeting focused on the schools' requests to expand their grade offerings and the implications for their operational plans.

The first item on the agenda was the amendment petition from Invictus Nashville. The school, which was approved in 2023 through the Newstart appeal cycle, is currently facing challenges in securing a facility. Invictus Nashville is committed to providing a high-quality Montessori education in the Hermitage Donaldson community of Davidson County, with plans to serve up to 774 students at full capacity. The amendment petition seeks approval to add second grade to their opening year, expanding from an initial plan that included only kindergarten and first grade. The school argued that this addition would better meet the needs of families interested in enrolling their children in first grade and would allow for the implementation of mixed-age classrooms earlier than initially planned.

During the meeting, it was noted that Invictus Nashville is in late-stage negotiations for a preferred site, with hopes to finalize a lease before winter break. The proposed site requires renovations, and the school has engaged a general contractor and architect to expedite the process once the lease is signed. The governing board has also been exploring alternative options to strengthen their facility plan.

The Commission reviewed Invictus Nashville's financial position, noting significant progress in securing grant and philanthropic funding, including a grant from SPORE. The financial projections indicate positive cash flow and annual surpluses for the next five years. After thorough discussion, the Commission unanimously approved the amendment petition, allowing Invictus Nashville to serve students in grades kindergarten through second grade starting in the upcoming school year.

The second item on the agenda was the amendment petition from Rocketship Dream Community Prep, which opened in 2022 and currently serves students in kindergarten through fourth grade. The details of this petition were set to be discussed following the approval of Invictus Nashville's request.

The meeting concluded with a clear path forward for both schools, emphasizing the Commission's commitment to supporting charter schools in their efforts to enhance educational opportunities for students in Tennessee.