Libertas School of Memphis is marking a major investment in Frayser with the opening of its new Middle School campus, part of an $11 million expansion aimed at expanding access to high-quality public education in North Memphis.
The campus, located at 3833 Mountain Terrace, officially opens on Friday, January 16, with a dedication led by Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, along with student-led presentations and an open house for families, partners, and community members.
The expansion positions Libertas to serve more than 750 students from infancy through adolescence, continuing its mission to bring public Montessori education — an approach more commonly found in private schools — to the Frayser neighborhood.
Designed specifically for adolescent learning, the Middle School campus emphasizes responsibility, collaboration, and real-world problem solving. The site includes 14 classrooms, a library, student research and collaboration spaces, a 1,325-square-foot STEM lab, and enrichment spaces for hands-on learning, performing arts, and physical activity. Outdoor features across the 34-acre campus include a baseball diamond, a one-mile woodland hiking trail, and a greenhouse and animal barn currently under construction by students.
“These buildings were designed to support adolescents as they learn to think deeply, work carefully, and contribute meaningfully to their community,” said Bob Nardo, executive director of Libertas School of Memphis.
The project was made possible through a combination of local and national philanthropic support, as well as contributions from Libertas families and community partners. For some supporters, the investment is deeply personal. Local business leader Hilliard Crews of the Crews Family Foundation, which helped support the campus, said he chose to give back because he grew up in Frayser and wanted to invest in its future.
During the opening event, attendees will be able to tour the campus, engage with student work, and learn more about Libertas’ Montessori-based approach to public education.
Founded in 2014, Libertas School of Memphis was Tennessee’s first public charter school to offer the Montessori method. The school has since transformed what was once the state’s second-lowest-performing elementary school and has been recognized multiple times as a Reward School, Tennessee’s highest distinction for academic growth and performance.
