Download this episode

Dr. Brenda Jones believes education is about more than just academics; it’s about developing confident, capable students who are prepared for life beyond the classroom. That’s the motivation behind the model she used when founding Invictus Charter School, Nashville’s first public Montessori charter school opening Fall 2025.

In this episode of Back to the Whiteboard, host Scott Campbell sits down with Dr. Jones to discuss how Invictus is designed specifically to provide students with a personalized, hands-on education that fosters independence, creativity, and real-world readiness. 

Dr. Jones’ original intention was for Invictus to work with students in grades sixth through twelve. But that plan changed when Dr. Jones took her idea to the community she planned to serve.

“One of the primary things that was important to me when building a school was to get community buy-in. What did the community want?” The answer was overwhelming: 

“They loved everything that we wanted to do,” she recalls, “but you need to start younger. By the time they're in middle school and high school, these kids have been pre-programmed already into this one way of learning.” 

Dr. Jones decided instead to design the school with a “backwards approach.” 

“What type of academic programming would allow us to get kids where they need to be to fulfill the vision that I have for six through twelve? And Montessori research is what came back.”

Montessori: A Student-Centered Approach to Learning

Unlike traditional education models, Montessori classrooms allow students to learn at their own pace, focusing on hands-on activities, problem-solving, and independent exploration.

“Montessori is the academic piece of our program that builds autonomy, self-discovery, and innovation,” Dr. Jones shares. “It gives students the freedom to explore their interests while ensuring they master key academic skills.”

This approach isn’t just engaging—it’s effective. Research shows that Montessori students often outperform their peers in literacy, math, and social development, thanks to the method’s hands-on, exploratory nature.

Beyond its Montessori curriculum, Invictus is unique in that it also focuses on holistic education, ensuring that students grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

Daily Mentorship & Social-Emotional Learning: At Invictus, every student starts the day in a mentorship group, where they receive personalized check-ins and support. 

“Every morning, children are in small mentoring groups with teachers. It's time to check in—Are you okay? Are you hungry? Do you need a nap?,” Dr. Jones explains. “As they get older, it evolves into discussing their goals, habits, and academics.” 

By prioritizing emotional well-being alongside academics, Invictus creates a supportive environment where students feel seen and valued.

Community Expeditions & Real-World Learning: Invictus believes students should learn beyond the classroom walls. That’s why every quarter, students engage in service projects and exposure trips designed to connect them with the world around them. 

“Part of holistic education is giving back,” she says. “So one week out of every quarter we do some type of service project and we give back, and we spend the remaining part of that week dedicated to exposure.”

Partnerships with the surrounding community provide opportunities for Invictus students to engage in hands-on projects, exploring career paths and life skills from an early age.

“How do you know what you want to do with your life if you're not exposed to the possibilities,” Dr. Jones asks. “What can we do to let them know that the world is bigger than your community, your city, your state? It is huge. So there may be that exposure over time leads to them saying, I know I want to do this. This is my place in the world and I'm ready to go after it.

These experiences, Dr. Jones says, help students discover their passions early while building critical problem-solving and communication skills.

“We spend more time ensuring that they learn the skills necessary that will transfer across careers, college, whatever the case may be, and invest in that so that when they graduate, they actually know what they might want to do and they have a plan to pursue that.”

As Dr. Jones passionately shares, “Invictus means ‘unconquerable.’ No matter what hand you’ve been dealt in life, you still get to decide your outcome. That’s what we want every child to understand.”

Why Parents Should Choose Invictus Charter School

If your child flourishes in an educational environment that offers a student-centered approach, real-world learning, and a strong sense of community, Invictus may be the perfect fit.

• A High-Quality Montessori Education—For Free: Montessori schools are often private and expensive, making them inaccessible to many families. Invictus is tuition-free, ensuring more students can benefit from this world-renowned approach.

• A Focus on Student Well-Being & Confidence: Through daily mentorship and hands-on learning, students develop independence, confidence, and a strong sense of purpose.

• Exposure to Career & Life Opportunities from an Early Age: Rather than waiting until high school to introduce career pathways, Invictus ensures that students start exploring interests early—potentially saving time and money on unnecessary college degrees later.

• Mixed-Age Classrooms That Foster Leadership & Collaboration: Invictus follows the Montessori model of mixed-age classrooms, where students learn from and support each other. 

• Small Class Sizes & Personalized Attention: With a 1:12 teacher-student ratio, Invictus ensures that every child gets the support they need to thrive.

How to Get Involved:

Invictus is currently enrolling for pre-K through 2nd grade, with plans to expand through 8th grade in the coming years.

To learn more, visit Invictus-Nash.org or email info@invictus-nash.org You can also follow their journey on social media @InvictusNashville.

If you’re searching for a school that nurtures independence, curiosity, and confidence, Invictus Charter School is the place to be.