Emerald Academy students walk the green carpet on first day of new academic year

By Ken Lay

Faculty, staff and administrators answered an early wake-up call on a hot morning early last week to welcome students back to school at Emerald Academy.

The first day of classes was Monday, July 21, at the Knoxville public college prep charter school, which was recently renewed for another decade.

Upon arriving on campus, the students were welcomed back by a high-five line as teachers, board members, community leaders and administrators held signs and cheered as the students walked the green carpet up to the school’s main entrance and entered the building to kick off the 2025-26 school year.

It was early. It was hot. And it was humid, but the spirits weren’t dampened by the weather as the school welcomed 450 students on the first day of class.

“We look forward to a great school year,” said Emerald Academy Director Carlissa Weeks. “We invited the community to come and welcome our scholars back.

“We do this every year to alleviate nerves and provide a welcome into our learning culture and our family-oriented environment. We wanted our staff and community to welcome back our scholars.”

Emerald Academy serves students in grades K-8 and looks to prepare its students for high school and postsecondary education through the use of rigorous academic standards.

Students returned to campus, but the staff came back to prepare for the new academic year on July 1.

“Our staff has been here and been training since July 1,” Weeks said. “We’ve been here for three weeks, and we’re all happy to welcome our scholars back.”