Where it all started
History of
Promise Academy
At the dinner table one Sunday evening, two founding board members of Promise Academy started brainstorming about starting a school.
Originally, the plan was to locate the school off of Crump in the Foote and Claybrook Homes section of Memphis. However, due to logistical issues and lack of suitable space for a school, Promise Academy began in Frayser, in a little Episcopal Church off Watkins.
We began with three kindergarten sections with a total of 60 students.
After two years, it became quickly obvious that we needed to locate larger space to house our growing school.
After an extensive and often frustrating search the school found a recently boarded up MCS school located in North Memphis. The former Hollywood School had been recently shuttered by MCS and the Promise Academy Board of Trustees thought that was the perfect location for Promise.
Since it was not that far from our original location, many of our existing students could continue to attend. Over the summer the school moved books, furniture, computers and supplies into our new building.
Year
2007
Volunteers help get rooms ready and Promise Academy welcomes over 200 students in grades kindergarten through second.
Year
2011-2012
Growth continues over the years, adding one grade after another, Promise Academy ends growth with the addition of fifth grade, with over 400 students and staff of 50.
Year
2013
Promise Academy applies to the Achievement School District to open second elementary school in Raleigh area.
Year
2014
Promise Academy Springhill begins with PK-1 grades and adds a grade level each year until 2018.
Year
2018
Promise Academy Springhill becomes PK-5th grade with over 400 students.
Year
2020
2 of 5 Schools in the nation with in person learning during COVID.
Year
2022
Promise Academy Hollywood reached level 5 status.
Year
2023
Level 5 status for the 2nd consecutive year.
We led the way in charter education and continue to be a leader in the community.
Our Board of Trustees is continually challenging itself to provide the necessary leadership for the school to flourish and prosper and we look forward to a bright and exciting future.
Today we occupy all three floors and continue to need space for our ever expanding and growing school. We currently have 45 faculty and staff members.
