Harding Academy
Harding Academy is a coeducational, nonsectarian day school serving pre- kindergarten through eighth grade. With a focus on rigorous academics taught by nurturing teachers, Harding Academy students thrive within a uniquely balanced and motivating environment. At the heart of the Harding Academy advantages is our fundamental commitment to the PreK-8 structure, which supports every student’s social, emotional, and academic needs in a developmentally appropriate manner.
We seek to serve a diverse community of families searching for the optimal pathways to some of the nation’s most challenging public and independent high schools, and who share our mission to foster thoughtful, lifelong learners and responsible, caring citizens. We encourage any interested family to contact our admissions office at 615-356-2974 or email admissionsoffice@hardingacademy.org to schedule a tour. We also offer a few facts and figures that well represent the success of our school and our students:
Harding Academy serves 350 families from 24 zip codes.
The science curriculum features robotics, programming, physics, chemistry, organic gardening, and four science labs.
At the middle-school level, Harding offers 21 competitive team sports with a no-cut policy.
Harding Academy produces two full-scale theater programs each year and has attained national status with its award-winning art program. Harding Academy strives to inspire the mind and nurture the spirit in all we do. Our PreK-8 model provides the optimal environment in which to strike this balance. We serve each and every student with a whole-child approach and through challenging and developmentally appropriate curriculum, character education, and extracurricular activities.
Ensworth
Envision a vibrant, dynamic community committed to the search for truth.
Ensworth provides a challenging program within a loving environment, creating an inspiring and joyful place where students develop the intellectual agility and self-confidence they need to grow and thrive. Ensworth believes that the key to developing lifelong learners is awakening and cultivating intellectual curiosity, and our curriculum engages students as active learners, encouraging their individual approaches to exploration and understanding. Students have opportunities to discover and develop their talents both inside and outside the classroom, and they flourish in an environment where their unique skills and interests are respected and nurtured. At Ensworth, students are more than scholars, athletes, and artists—they are courageous and compassionate global citizens who are empowered to make a difference.
TIP: Learn more about our K-12, coeducational program at ensworth.com.
Harpeth Hall
At Harpeth Hall, ambitions become achievements and girls become purposeful young women prepared to make a meaningful difference in their communities and the world. As an independent, college-preparatory school for students in 5th through 12th grades, every aspect of Harpeth Hall is designed with girls in mind. The student council president is a girl. The captain of the state title-winning soccer team is a girl. The leader of our World championship-qualifying robotics team is a girl. At Harpeth Hall, we know how girls learn best and provide an environment where our students are embraced for who they are and encouraged in their intellectual curiosity.
In the classroom, students learn through doing. From power tools to telescopes, Harpeth Hall teachers create hands-on experiences that elevate concepts beyond the textbook and make lessons memorable. The arts programs encourage students to explore creative expression without limits. Students create publications with original paintings, poetry, and prose. They are actors, screenwriters, and musicians whose creative endeavors shine on stage. In athletics, girls take healthy risks, push themselves beyond their comfort zones, and enjoy unforgettable experiences along the way. In the 2021-2022 school year, Harpeth Hall claimed a school-record five state championships with titles in cross country, soccer, riflery, lacrosse, and track and field. The strength and confidence our students develop as athletes prepare them for a lifetime of health and wellbeing.
TIP: A SCHOOL WORTH LEARNING ABOUT
For more than 150 years, Harpeth Hall has held true to the idea that girls deserve an excellent education full of possibilities and purpose. At Harpeth Hall, all girls are welcome and every girl thrives. To learn more about Harpeth Hall, where students learn to think critically, lead confidently, and live honorably, visit HarpethHall.org.
Linden Waldorf
The Linden experience educates the whole child—their will, their passion, and their intellect—through the organic unfolding of our developmentally appropriate and intentionally cross-disciplinary curriculum. Our rich academic programs in science, math, and language arts are balanced with music, Spanish, movement, strings, woodworking, and handwork, offering students the opportunity to dive even more deeply into our core subjects. Linden students learn to harness the infinite possibilities they envision to become active makers of words and ideas, of art, music, and poetry, of lasting change, of new knowledge and thoughtful revisions, of influential contributions to their world. Over 90% of our graduates are accepted to their top choice of high school.
TIP: Linden’s Environmental Stewardship program takes place in our permanent outdoor classrooms and offers students the opportunity to tend our newly expanded organic garden, see the life cycle of various plants, harvest food they’ve grown to share with their schoolmates, explore the native trees on our 12-acre campus, and learn about important environmental issues. Schedule a tour today at lindenwaldorf.org!
Overbrook
Overbrook School, located on 83 acres in the heart of Nashville, has prepared students for high school, college, and beyond since 1936. An academically-rigorous approach to education emphasizes the true learning that leads to wisdom. While Overbrook students excel academically at a level above the national norm, we also form leaders for tomorrow. Faculty and staff help students build a foundation where a life of virtue, grounded in friendship with Jesus Christ, who is Truth, leads to happiness, fulfillment, and joy.
Nashville’s premier preschool, Overbrook, utilizes a Montessori-based, hybrid approach for their youngest students to be prepared for Kindergarten. As students enter grade school, they are reading at an early age, participating in STEM projects, excelling at higher-level math classes, and receiving sacramental preparation. Enrolling preschool – 6th grade, Overbrook School is a co-education, private, independent Catholic school. Owned and operated by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, Overbrook offers small class sizes, multi-layered student support, and exciting afterschool programming.
TIP: Want to learn more? Overbrook will host a “Lunch and Learn” on September 13th and an Open House on October 22nd. For more information, please visit overbrook.edu.
Pope Prep
Serving students in grades 6-12, Pope John Paul II Preparatory School was established in 2002 in Hendersonville, Tennessee as a Catholic school community of faith and service with high academic standards, competitive athletics, and innovative extracurricular programs. Inspired by our understanding that God made each of our students with unique gifts that can be used to change the world, our school exists to serve students of all faiths by helping young adults find their God-given talents and discover their greater purposes in life. With the addition of middle grades in the fall of 2021, we continue to grow as an innovative institution committed to our unchanging mission: to prepare students to be strong in mind, body, character, and spirit for lives of learning and service, according to the Gospel.
TIP: Pope Prep’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship courses and internship placements are developed in partnership with instructors who are professionals in a variety of fields: engineering, healthcare, visual and performing arts, business, and marketing. Through project-based learning, students develop skills necessary for careers in the 21st century: communication, collaboration, dependability, creative and critical thinking, and technology.
St. Cecilia Academy
St. Cecilia Academy is a private, Catholic, college preparatory academy for girls grades 7 – 12, seeking to grow in character, confidence, and creativity. Our independent, all-girl environment ennobles young women, equips them to excel, and inspires them to lead lives of integrity.
Founded by the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in 1860, St. Cecilia Academy is the oldest continually operating high school in Nashville. SCA provides a rigorous liberal arts academic program in a Christ-centered environment. St. Cecilia is the patron saint of the arts, and SCA takes pride in its long tradition of excellence in the arts, reflected in its extensive offerings. SCA offers the opportunity for young women to know their worth and potential. In the classroom or on the athletic fields, St. Cecilia girls have an abiding sense of purpose. They collect an impressive list of academic honors to prepare for their future education at the next level.
Last year’s senior class was offered over $16.5 million in merit aid awards for a wide range of talents, including academic achievement, leadership, athletics, service, and the arts. They are now attending 45 colleges and universities in 22 states and making a difference in the world everywhere they go. St. Cecilia Academy has been consistently recognized nationally since 2004 to the Catholic Education Honor Roll School by the Cardinal Newman Society.
Visit stcecilia.edu to see what it is like to be a St. Cecilia Girl!
The Webb School
Founded in 1870, The Webb School is a boarding and day school that offers challenging academics with an emphasis on personal integrity for students in grades 6-12. Our family-like setting provides personal attention for each student with an average class size of 13. Our 150-acre campus is located just south of Nashville in historic Bell Buckle.
WHY BOARDING SCHOOL?
Boarding schools foster independence in a close, nurturing environment. From practicing basic responsibility to learning how to navigate peer relationships away from home, Webb students learn skills that will help their transition to college and in life. Boarding schools encourage students to gain new experiences and discover their passions.
WHY WEBB?
With students from 12 states and 22 countries, Webb is a place where students are exposed to diversity and various viewpoints. Webb also offers 16 AP courses, highly competitive athletic teams, and a robust fine arts program. Beginning in Fall of 2022, the school will offer Dual Enrollment courses through Lipscomb University featuring electives in psychology, business, and communications. Tennessee residents take these courses for no extra charge and have the opportunity to start their college careers with credits already obtained.
TIP: Come visit Webb by scheduling a visit or attending an official Visit Day. Call 931.389.6003 or visit thewebbschool.com/admissions/visit-campus to register.
Battle Ground Academy
Battle Ground Academy is located in Franklin, Tenn., and is the No. 1 Private K-12 School in Williamson County. Known for creating an elevated educational experience, we believe in the enormous potential within every child, and we know that full potential is not achieved by merely acquiring academic skills and facts. It is achieved within a community where the needs of each individual are recognized, supported, and encouraged, and where teachable moments extend far beyond the walls of our classrooms. Once our students leave the halls of the Academy, they join an alumni network of more than 3,500 Wildcats worldwide, who give their time, treasure, and talent annually to provide opportunities and experiences for current BGA students.
ADMISSIONS PROCESS:
BGA is accepting applications for the 2023-24 academic year and offering individual tours by appointment. Families interested in first-round admission consideration must apply by December 15 (kindergarten) and January 6 (first grade and up). Learn more at battlegroundacademy.org/admissions.
TIP: This fall, BGA expands its Upper School academic program to include a concentration in STEM. The Academy’s innovative Entrepreneurial Leadership and STEM concentrations provide students the opportunity to meaningfully explore and dive deeper into an area of academic interest through specialized curricula, enhanced learning opportunities, and intentional experiences. Additionally, Middle and Upper School schedules have been redesigned with a focus on students’ overall wellness, creating a school day that allows for greater opportunities for connection and community and offers students enhanced options in their academic and extracurricular lives.
Currey Ingram Academy
Promoting Strengths. Supporting Differences. Situated on a beautiful 83-acre campus in Brentwood, Tennessee, Currey Ingram Academy is a K-12 day school and 9-12 boarding school for students with learning differences. Some of our students have diagnoses such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, twice exceptional, executive function and/or processing speed deficits, and others simply thrive best in a smaller, more personalized setting.
“Currey Ingram is the best decision that we have ever made for a child. It has been life-changing.”
~ Anonymous parent comment from the all-school survey
If your child is not reaching his or her fullest potential in a traditional classroom, Currey Ingram can provide them with the tools to succeed. Through small classes and individualized learning plans, we address each student’s learning profile – allowing students to soar ahead in areas of strength while shoring up any areas of need. Strong signature programs, arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities emphasize student strengths and talents. We offer support in speech-language and occupational therapy, executive function skills, and social-emotional learning. School counselors and college counseling round out our approach to preparing every child for college and for life.
TIP: Currey Ingram Academy features in-person instruction and has a year- round admission process, which means it is never too late to apply. For more information about admission, or to set up an in-person tour, contact the Admission Office at admissions@curreyingram.org or call (615) 507-3173.
Episcopal School of Nashville
The Episcopal School of Nashville is a diverse, urban, independent school located in East Nashville. ESN’s mission is to nurture the joy of learning and the spirit of discovery in each of its students. ESN’s vision is to shape students who are intellectually, spiritually, and responsibly engaged with the place, community, and world they call home.
ESN’s goals are to develop each student’s:
Social and Emotional Intelligence
Valuable Habits of Mind – Perseverance, Gratitude, Joy, Resilience, and Curiosity
Problem Solving Skills – students who understand their roles as change agents in their local community and the wider world.
Value of Diversity and the Episcopal Tradition of Inclusiveness.
Strong Academic Skills – students will be competitive and academically successful in the most rigorous college-preparatory high schools as well as in university and life beyond.
Exploration of spiritual practices, cultivation of a spiritual identity, and an understanding of the richness of religious traditions in our world.
When our students graduate from ESN, they will possess a set of experiences and values that help define who they are and distinguish them from their peers.
Franklin Road Academy
Franklin Road Academy is a pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade coeducational independent school offering a challenging educational experience in an inclusive Christian community. FRA provides an excellent education within a collaborative learning environment, preparing students to attend the finest colleges and universities across the nation while also cultivating a concern for others within and beyond their own community. With innovative academic spaces like a DNA Lab and Innovation Lab, students are honing team-building, problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills in dynamic spaces as they become critical thinkers and leaders in pursuit of excellence.
FRA is big enough to offer students opportunities to discover and pursue their passions and small enough to know each family’s story. FRA fosters a healthy student experience with intentional class sizes that allow students to fully engage in the classroom while competing at a high athletic level or perfecting an art form. For more information, call our Admission Office at 615-832-8845 or visit franklinroadacademy.com.
TIP: Franklin Road Academy recently established the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership to provide additional experiential and innovative learning opportunities for students. The curriculum and programs are designed to inspire students to pursue their passions, while equipping them with the skills required to chart their own path. Starting this fall, upper school students will begin the entrepreneurship program by taking the finance and communications foundational skills course to strengthen core competencies and propel students into the incubator course.
Montgomery Bell Academy
Montgomery Bell Academy is the only boys school in Middle Tennessee. MBA’s history is woven into the ideal of developing “Gentlemen, Scholars, Athletes,” and keeping current in our world. We work to ensure that a boy’s effort, excellence, and character define him – not his last name or zip code.
MBA offers:
Intellectual rigor and strong friendships that build confidence and competence.
An education that imbues skills and foundations and affords students the openness to explore ideas.
Boys that are committed to hard work and meeting challenges.
The ability to strive for balance and excellence.
The fostering of meaningful interior lives that nurture their emotional as well as intellectual intelligence.
The development of a spirit of great aspirations in and out of the classroom.
A faculty who know and are passionate about their subject and who can convey that information with care and appreciation.
We are committed to building boys into great men who will make a difference in their communities. We hope they leave our school with vision and empathy to be kind, humble, and thoughtful people.
Mt. Juliet Christian Academy
Mt. Juliet Christian Academy (MJCA) is a private Christian school that is a ministry of First Baptist Church Mt. Juliet. We desire to partner with families in developing students to think, lead, and live as Christians based upon a biblical worldview. As a college-preparatory school, we extend a variety of opportunities through numerous academic, fine arts, and athletic programs, including a formal leadership academy. Guided by our mission, we approach education with the goal of “enriching minds, engaging hearts, and equipping hands” with excellence for the glory of God! Rigorous curriculum, including advanced placement courses are all taught within a biblical-worldview framework. Active learning in every classroom meets the highest academic standards while holding a strong, Christ-centered foundation.
St. Edward Church & School
St. Edward Church & School (SES) is a well-known and respected Roman Catholic Community in the Diocese of Nashville, serving students from Pre-K3 through 8th grade. Our parish school is grounded in a strong sense of community and tradition, with 70 years of experience in providing Catholic education in the Nashville area. Students of all racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds gather daily to learn, play, serve, and pray together.
“We picked St. Edward because it is the total package - caring teachers, commitment to academic excellence, a welcoming community, and a focus on our children’s whole development,” St. Edward parent, Ginette Brown said.
St. Edward has a dedicated teaching staff, who ensure that students receive a balance of academic rigor, social-emotional learning, individualized attention, and faith formation. St. Edward is cultivating the next generation of Saints and Scholars. To set-up a tour, call 615.833.5770 or visit us at ses.stedward.org.
TIP: Follow us on Facebook @St. Edward Church and School and on Instagram at @StEdwardCommunity
St. Henry School
Saint Henry School provides a vibrant, faith-filled, academically rich school environment. Teachers challenge and support students to achieve their highest potential and seek to make all academic areas come to life in developmentally appropriate ways. In all grades, students engage in the core subjects of Religion, Math, Science, Literature, English, and Social Studies, thus continually deepening their comprehension of fundamental concepts and skills. Academic contests offered in almost every discipline (National History, Spelling and Geography Bees, Math and Science Olympiads, MTSU STEM Expo, Lego League, Middle Tennessee Vocal Association Contest, Mid-State Band Competition and Nashville Art Shows/Contests). Zero Hour Program offers Latin, Debate, Guitar and Drones. Sports teams for all levels of play, a spring drama production, forensics, scouts and many service opportunities. Full-time nurse practitioner, full-time school counselor, and a Resource Department for educational testing, guidance and instructional support. Before and aftercare are available.
TIP: “St. Henry’s is one of the best decisions we made for our daughter; because of the academic standards she was held to, she developed an advanced knowledge base, work ethic, and discipline that prepared her for the rigorous academic challenges in high school. We are proud to see her as humble, respectful, and encouraging of others; character traits developed within the St. Henry’s family that have continued to live strong.”
