Memphis College Fights to Save Reputation

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A Memphis college was named one of the worst in the country but the Visible School fought to have their name taken off that list and says it's one of the most unique colleges around.

The Visible School was ranked seventh on a list of colleges with the worst graduation rates but the school says it graduates far more than 8 percent of its students, as the article claimed.

The school says it has successful students to prove that. Zack McQueen, a second year worship leading student from Georgia, says the Visible School is one of a kind.

"I really want to be open in today's culture, today's worship leading," says Zack. "And I found Visible, and there was really no other place to consider."

Visible School offers degrees in music and music production with an emphasis on contemporary worship. Students are engaged in a very intense three year program.

School president Ken Steorts was shocked to find his school seventh on a list of colleges with the worst rates of graduation.

"It was crushing because it's exactly what we have worked on in the college, to be solving the problem of graduation rates," says Steorts.

Steorts says "Washington Monthly" took rates from 2002-2008 of students graduating with a bachelor degree. But Visible School only offered certificates until 2006. In 2006 the school was accredited to give out bachelor degrees and ever since the school has boasted a 72 percent graduation rate, which Visible School says is above average.

"It didn't threaten us, if anything it made us more sure of what we're doing is right and we're walking out what God has called us to do," says Dave Kropf, Visible School's Music Department Chair.

The Visible School fought the ranking and says "Washington Monthly" finally took the college off the list. The hope is that the error did not affect the school's fundraising campaign. It hopes to move into its new building next fall.

"We feel like we've developed a new way of education which really does engage or niche students in a way they are successful," says Steorts.

Zack says he's on the road to success and with the help of Visible School, he will be ready for a career leading worship.

"My heart is with the church to be able to lead a body of believers to the throne," says Zack.