Memphis Kids Play A New Tune
Public education makes great strides
By: Kelly Jackson
Contributing Writer
Issue date: 11/28/06 Section: The Game of Life
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It is a Wednesday afternoon, and the sounds of music legends like Isaac Hayes and Booker T. & The MG's can be heard through the halls of the Soulsville Charter School.
Patrick Nolan, a seventh grader at Soulsville Charter School, said his grades have gotten much better since he came to the school in the sixth grade.
"It's exciting," the 12 year old said. "It keeps you out of trouble. It's setting a goal for you to go to college."
Soulsville Charter School consists of grades six and seven. The school, adding a grade each year, will eventually extend to the 12th grade. It is part of the growing alternative public education trend of charter schools.
Charter schools in Tennessee accept students who have tested below proficient in English, language arts or math on either the TCAP or the Tennessee Gateway Assessment, according to Charisse Sales, coordinator of charter schools for Memphis City Schools. Charter schools are public schools, and the Memphis Board of Education grants the charter to the group wanting to open the school.
"Each charter school has a separate governing board and sponsoring organization," said Stacey Thompson, coordinator of charter schools for Memphis City Schools. "Charter schools, by the law, have the right to ask for private donations and to seek grant funding (in addition to public funding.)"
Currently there are 10 charter schools in Memphis, and they all have different curricula to improve academic performance.
Soulsville Charter School incorporates music to encourage students to do their best in class, Principal David Hill said. All students play in the Soulsville Symphony Orchestra, which combines string instruments and a rhythm section, Hill said.
"When we have unique performance opportunities, students have to have earned the privilege to perform," Hill said. "This is usually based on behavior."
The students performed a Stevie Wonder medley for Wonder at the National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Awards Public Forum, Hill said.
Patrick Nolan, a seventh grader at Soulsville Charter School, said his grades have gotten much better since he came to the school in the sixth grade.
"It's exciting," the 12 year old said. "It keeps you out of trouble. It's setting a goal for you to go to college."
Soulsville Charter School consists of grades six and seven. The school, adding a grade each year, will eventually extend to the 12th grade. It is part of the growing alternative public education trend of charter schools.
Charter schools in Tennessee accept students who have tested below proficient in English, language arts or math on either the TCAP or the Tennessee Gateway Assessment, according to Charisse Sales, coordinator of charter schools for Memphis City Schools. Charter schools are public schools, and the Memphis Board of Education grants the charter to the group wanting to open the school.
"Each charter school has a separate governing board and sponsoring organization," said Stacey Thompson, coordinator of charter schools for Memphis City Schools. "Charter schools, by the law, have the right to ask for private donations and to seek grant funding (in addition to public funding.)"
Currently there are 10 charter schools in Memphis, and they all have different curricula to improve academic performance.
Soulsville Charter School incorporates music to encourage students to do their best in class, Principal David Hill said. All students play in the Soulsville Symphony Orchestra, which combines string instruments and a rhythm section, Hill said.
"When we have unique performance opportunities, students have to have earned the privilege to perform," Hill said. "This is usually based on behavior."
The students performed a Stevie Wonder medley for Wonder at the National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Awards Public Forum, Hill said.