Memphis Merit Academy currently educates 180+ scholars this school year in kindergarten through 2nd grade. Despite the pandemic, more than 80% of K-1 MMA scholars demonstrated at least 1 year of academic growth in literacy, prior to school closure in March. Memphis Merit Academy continues to educate scholars through virtual learning and is prepared to transition scholars once safe back into the physical building. This year, MMA teachers continue to provide high quality instruction and our scholars are continuing to thrive in the virtual space. Watch this video to learn more about why Memphis Merit Academy's Board of Directors chose our community- Why 38118?
Memphis Merit Academy leverages a slow-growth model to provide a high quality school option to families in the city of Memphis. Memphis Merit Academy will continue to add one grade level every year until MMA serves grade K-8th. MMA's current renovated facility is approximately 14,000 sqft with approximately 20,000 more sqft earmarked for future grades. This means Memphis Merit Academy has to continue to navigate the build out of a facility to support the school's growth and ensure resources are allocated in response to student data.
Last year and the year prior, our village helped us raise more than $10K to add to our general funds to provide this education to our scholars. The COVID-19 pandemic brings forth multiple challenges, but our village remains strong. Scholars and families alone last year raised more than $15K to go towards our school playground. Our village has helped us add more than 5,000 book titles to our physical guided reading library, 183+ books into the homes of MMA scholars, offer over 350+ hours of professional development and support to our teachers, individual supplies and materials for scholars to use during virtual learning, provide more than 300+ families with food during this Thanksgiving holiday and so much more! This year, we are counting on our VILLAGE to help us raise $10K to offset the cost of a future build out of 2 additional classroom spaces for the 2021-2022 school year.
While Memphis Merit Academy Charter School will operate primarily on public funding, the success of Memphis Merit Academy, particularly in our start-up and founding years, depends heavily on the backing of committed, passionate donors. Individuals who believe that every child can learn at a high level when given a rigorous curriculum, character education and the supports to excel.
Scholar Keilah dresses up at the Living Wax Museum last Winter at MMA. She enthusiastically spoke about the rich history of the Ruby Bridges story.
Even with per-pupil funding from state and federal sources, there is a shortfall between this revenue stream and the cost to educate a Memphis Merit Academy student, specifically relating to additional technology needs, enrichment opportunities, and general start-up operational costs.
#GIVEMERIT
Note: Memphis Merit Academy, Inc. is an exempt organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code. For your reference, our EIN is 82-2828471.