LEAD Public Schools to Open LEAD Neely’s Bend High School in Madison Community
Today, the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission (TPCSC) approved an amendment that allows LEAD Neely’s Bend Middle School to remove 5th grade and add high school grades 9-12.
“Over the last decade, LEAD Neely’s Bend Middle has been on an exciting trajectory, going from the bottom 5% to the top 25% of schools in Tennessee,” said Dr. Ricki Gibbs, CEO at LEAD Public Schools. “Opening a high school will not only expand opportunities for current LEAD Neely’s Bend students, it will also provide a new high-quality high school option for families with limited choices in their geographic area. We are excited about the opportunity to expand our offerings and reach even more families in the Madison community.”
LEAD Neely’s Bend Middle was founded in 2015 when the state-run Achievement School District (ASD) selected LEAD Public Schools to operate Neely’s Bend Middle, a zone-enrolled school in Madison, after it fell in the bottom five percent of all Tennessee schools for academic performance. Neely’s Bend’s academic performance improved under LEAD’s operation, and the school exited priority status and the ASD in 2022. In 2023, the TPCSC approved LEAD Neely’s Bend to join its portfolio of schools.
Since becoming authorized under the TPCSC, LEAD Neely’s Bend Middle has consistently outperformed its peer schools and remains the best public middle school option for families in the Madison area. During the 2024-25 school year, LEAD Neely’s Bend Middle received a B rating, earned a Level 5 on TVAAS, and outperformed Madison Middle in every subject area on TCAP.
LEAD Neely’s Bend High School will welcome its first class of 9th grade students in fall 2026 and continue to add a new grade each year until it reaches 12th grade.
Current LEAD Neely’s Bend 8th grade families will be able to enroll in 9th grade during the re-registration window in April. For new students, 9th grade applications are now open. If you’re interested in enrolling at LEAD Neely’s Bend High School, please complete an application here.
