Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy Up for IMPACT Grant for Student Empowerment Excellence
Photo by Kyle Gregory Devaras on Unsplash
For today’s “In The Know with Gino”…
In a recent announcement from Building Hope, a national nonprofit education foundation, Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy (CGLA) has been recognized as an IMPACT Grant Semi-Finalist for its outstanding commitment to student empowerment. This marks a significant achievement for the school, distinguishing it from a pool of several hundred institutions across 36 states and U.S. territories.
This recognition is particularly noteworthy as it is the first time CGLA has received honors from Building Hope. The IMPACT grant is a prestigious accolade that acknowledges excellence in fostering student empowerment and educational innovation.
Last year, Memphis STEM Academy Elementary School received an IMPACT Grant last year, solidifying Tennessee’s presence in the national spotlight for educational excellence. Libertas School in Memphis was a grant semi-finalist last year for its innovative approach to education and has again been named a grant semi-finalist this year, this time for its exceptional student empowerment programs
Building Hope’s recognition sheds light on the impactful work being done by Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, further highlighting the school’s dedication to achieving excellence in education. CGLA’s commitment to student empowerment and innovation in education has not only earned them this prestigious honor but also distinguishes them as a standout institution.
As the U.S. Department of Education provides key statistics, it’s important to note that charter schools, including CGLA, are public schools funded by the state and open to all families and students. Nationally, there are nearly 7,850 charter schools, with 7.5% of all public school students attending these institutions, totaling around 3.7 million students.
Additionally, Harvard University‘s research has shown that charter school students from the bottom 25% of the socioeconomic distribution demonstrate nearly 2x growth compared to their peers in traditional public schools.
In the context of Tennessee, charter schools play a significant role in the education landscape. With 116 schools enrolling 43,908 students, charter schools in the state are serving a diverse student population. Approximately 4% of Tennessee public school students attend charter schools, with an impressive 91% of these charter school students identifying as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color).
Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy’s recognition as an IMPACT Grant Semi-Finalist not only brings honor to the school but also underscores the broader impact of charter schools in Tennessee, contributing to a more diverse and empowered student body across the state.
