Philadelphia’s Memphis Street Academy charter school ordered to close by judge.

A federal judge has ruled that Memphis Street Academy, a charter school in Philadelphia, must relinquish its charter and cease operations due to the school’s failure to meet academic benchmarks outlined in its agreement with the district. This ruling, issued by U.S. District Court Judge Chad Kenney, underscores the ongoing disputes between charter schools and public school districts, particularly concerning allegations of discrimination and academic accountability.

The school, located in Port Richmond, serves approximately 500 students in grades 5 through 8, with a demographic composition of 86% to 90% Black or Hispanic students. During the legal proceedings, Memphis Street Academy posited that its closure was influenced by systemic racial discrimination from the Philadelphia School District, an issue that has often been at the forefront of discussions surrounding charter schools in the city. However, Judge Kenney maintained that the district’s evaluation process was conducted within a “racially neutral” framework.

In his decision, Judge Kenney noted that the administration of Memphis Street Academy had attributed the school’s shortcomings to its students’ demographic backgrounds rather than addressing the institutional failures that led to poor academic performance. He emphasized the responsibility of schools to provide a quality education, regardless of the demographic factors involved.

The CEO of American Paradigm Schools, which manages Memphis Street Academy, indicated that the school is currently reviewing its legal options following the ruling. Despite the judgment, the school intends to open for the fall term, asserting that there is no immediate directive for closure.

Additionally, the Philadelphia school board has historically been implicated in controversies surrounding charter school operations, with allegations that Black-led charter schools are disproportionately targeted for closure. A 2023 investigation commissioned by the district found no evidence of intentional racial discrimination in the decision-making processes regarding charter schools.

Since its inception, Memphis Street Academy has faced scrutiny regarding its academic performance. Originally granted a charter in 2012 as part of the Renaissance charter program—aimed at revitalizing failing district schools—the academy saw a dramatic decline in test scores, with math proficiency plummeting from 23.26% of students scoring proficient to just 2.95%. In 2018, the school entered into an agreement with the district to remain open under specific academic conditions, pledging to surrender its charter if it failed to meet those benchmarks.

As the charter school landscape evolves in Philadelphia, the district is revising its evaluation framework to encompass broader criteria including academic performance, operational management, and financial accountability. The case of Memphis Street Academy serves as a pivotal example of the tensions between academic standards and the socio-demographic realities of urban education, highlighting the complexities that charter schools face in ensuring educational equity.

Media News Source reports that while the current ruling does not affirm any claims of intentional discrimination, it raises pertinent questions about how educational metrics may indirectly impact schools serving predominantly minority populations. As the legal landscape develops, the implications for Memphis Street Academy and similar institutions remain significant.