Memphis students are graduating from closing schools. But one beloved program could be revived.

“Sign up for Chalkbeat Tennessee’s free newsletter to keep up with statewide education policy and Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Shouts and cheers reached around a South Memphis block Tuesday morning from families at Ida B. Wells Academy, a K-8 school that Memphis-Shelby County board members voted to close at the end of this year . As the school days dwindle, 84 students and a small team of staff are trying to suck every last drop of joy out of the building the school has called home for decades. There was an eighth-grade student awards ceremony last week. Friday was field day. And Tuesday was graduation. At 10 a.m., students sat in dark blue caps and gowns near the cafeteria stage waiting for their name to be called. Family members burst into applause so loud the emcee had to cover his ears as each student collected their certificate. There was an air of sadness as the new graduates passed out yellow roses to their teary-eyed parents, and uncertainty about what’s coming next . In February, the Memphis-Shelby County school board voted to shut down Ida B. Wells Academy in a slate of school closures aimed at reducing chronic underenrollment and high facility costs. But while Wells will no longer be in the same building, school staff and families say the district made a last-minute decision to transfer the program to Norris Achievement Academy, another alternative school four miles south. A flyer passed out at graduation reads, “We are moving!” promising the “same dedicated teachers & students” at Norris next year. But it’s unclear whether that’s different from plans for other school closures, which will disperse students into nearby schools and relocate teachers throughout the district. MSCS leaders did not respond to multiple requests for comment clarifying the transfer decision. Superintendent Roderick Richmond said the district was considering that option in February. But some parents then expressed concern about sending their children to Norris, which only enrolls students that have been expelled from other schools. “We know a lot of you all have chosen other [school] options because of the late change in keeping Ida B. Wells open,” Principal Tarcia Gilliam-Parish said during Tuesday’s ceremony. “But we are glad, thankful, and grateful that we are going to be here.” School staff and family members said Tuesday that only current Ida B. Wells students would be able to transfer to the new location. Lois Eldridge, whose eighth-grade grandson graduated Tuesday, praised the school’s dedicated teachers and safe environment. She wanted her granddaughter to start there next year. “I just hate that my other grandkids couldn’t get to go here,” Eldridge said. Some parents have already made the decision to move their children to different schools next year. Erica Smith told Chalkbeat in March that she’s sending one child to the Soulsville Charter School and another to arts-focused magnet school Rozelle Elementary. For months, Ida B. Wells’ parents questioned why a school with high student test scores and academic growth should be closed . But MSCS leaders said the building is severely underenrolled, with more than 400 open seats, and needs almost $6 million worth of facility repairs. It’s part of Richmond’s plan to close up to 10 more schools by 2028 . Carla James has a granddaughter in third grade at Ida B. Wells this year. She said the family is planning to send her to Norris Academy next year to be with her teachers and maintain longstanding school ties. “I used to go here when I was younger,” James said. “We’re going to be really sad without it.” Bri Hatch covers Memphis-Shelby County Schools for Chalkbeat Tennessee. Reach Bri at bhatch@chalkbeat.org .

Summary generated from the RSS feed of Chalkbeat Detroit. All article rights belong to the original publisher. Click through to read the full piece on www.chalkbeat.org/detroit.