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Given Nashville's reputation as Music City, it's only fitting that at least one school reflects the world famous nickname.
Rocketship Public Schools broke ground on a new campus in Antioch on Wednesday (September 15). The charter school, which operates two other schools in Metro Nashville, will bring music to the forefront of education for elementary students starting next fall, News Channel 5 reports. The school's enrichment program will offer music classes while music will also be incorporated daily in classroom learning.
"Music is a form of communication that brings together people from different races, different cultures and backgrounds," said Jessica Alexander, founding principal. "Music prepares students to think critically, take risks and persevere through challenges. Therefore, we are committed to ensuring ... access to music across disciplines. We are equipping our students with an additional language to utilize in a multicultural world."
The new school, whose name will be chosen by the founding families, will be open to Davidson County elementary age students, from kindergarten to fourth grade. Metro Councilmember Joy Styles hopes that the new school will provide relief for the education system that is already overcrowded, particularly in the southeast area of Nashville.
"This school is going to help alleviate that for us," said Styles, "and provide an opportunity for many of our students that they never had before."
Alexander said a child's educational outcomes shouldn't be determined by ZIP code or family income, and is excited about the opportunities that will be available to students starting next fall.
"Every child at Rocketship Antioch will receive an education that will equip them with the skills, knowledge and confidence to dictate their own paths in life," said Alexander.