Reengaging Disconnected Youth: The Rock Academy

Dr. Ahmed White, the founder and CEO of The Rock Academy, is opening the innovative public charter high school in Nashville in 2026 to serve disconnected and at-risk students. His mission is to re-engage these students, often chronically absent, in foster care, or involved in the justice system, and set them up for post-graduate success. The Rock Academy will provide a unique educational model focused on developing students' skills in four key areas: caring professions, creativity, technical fields, and trades. The school will have an emphasis on building strong mentor relationships, removing barriers through wraparound services, and empowering students to choose their own path forward. Dr. White's personal experiences and passion for serving marginalized students drive his vision for creating a transformative school model that can meet the diverse needs of this underserved population.