OPPORTUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL LAUNCHING IN NASHVILLE IN 2026

THE ROCK ACADEMY

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We love you, we believe in you, and there is absolutely positively nothing you can do about it.

We believe our students are our greatest strength, and the future upon which we will build.

Our Mission

The mission of The Rock Academy is to re-engage disconnected youth to ensure they succeed in the post-secondary pathway of their choice.

Our Vision

We envision a world where all young people have the power to shape their own futures.

3 Key Design Elements

Belonging

Creating a sense of belonging is central to Rock Academy. Kids (and staff) must see themselves as strong, capable and inherently valuable members of their community. When students don’t feel like they belong in school, short and long-term health and success metrics suffer.

  • Pairs each student with a close-knit “team” of students that grow and develop alongside one another, led by a faculty mentor. These mentors are full-time faculty without teaching responsibilities, whose focus is solely on the students’ holistic wellbeing;
  • A culture built around restorative practices that ensures students are able to learn and grow in an environment that is trauma informed and healing oriented;
  • Invests in robust and embedded wrap around services for students and family including; mental health, physical health, job placement, housing, basic needs support; and,

Flexibility

Rock students will arrive at school in wildly different places with wildly different needs. This reality cannot be planned around - it must be planned for. We must meet kids where they are and help them move further down their path - wherever they start.

  • Mastery-based learning that leverages personalized instruction
  • Frequent and robust progress monitoring and advising structures
  • Adjusted start times and school hours
  • Robust and flexible transportation - ensuring that regardless of where a student lives or may move, they are able to seamlessly maintain their work alongside the Rock Academy family.

Relevance

When juggling the complex realities of life - youth who don’t see the immediate and/or long-term value of the schooling experiences understandably tend to opt out. As a result, Rock Academy puts a premium on creating deeply relevant learning experiences for our students.

  • Diverse Career and Technical Education (CTE)/Career Connected pathways which are deeply embedded in both elective and core classwork;
  • Focus on building durable skills in preparation for workforce readiness
  • An emphasis on project-based, collaborative learning;
  • Active community and corporate partnerships; and,
  • Personalized college and career readiness counseling.

Dr. Ahmed White

Founder & Executive Director

Lekita Sims

Operations Director & Community Engagement Coordinator

Meet Our Team

We are embracing a new journey to reach kids that need our help the most.

Our team is a dynamic blend of creativity, dedication, and collaboration. Each of us brings unique strengths and perspectives, allowing us to tackle challenges with innovation and enthusiasm. Together, we foster an environment of support and open communication, driving us toward our common goals and ensuring success for our students.