New arrivals have plenty of choice when it comes to education and schools in Nashville. Picking the right school for your child can still be daunting, and it pays to do your research.
Your first decision is usually between public and private schools. Public schools in Nashville are free to attend and teach the US curriculum, which ends with the American High School Diploma. Private and international schools charge tuition, but they tend to have smaller class sizes and greater freedom in their curricula and teaching styles.
Like the rest of the US, schools in Nashville are divided into three levels: elementary school (Preschool to Grade 5), middle school (Grades 6 to 8), and high school (Grades 9 to 12).
Public schools in Nashville
Public schools in Nashville are open to anyone legally resident in the city, at little to no cost. As in most US cities, quality is uneven: some public schools are excellent, others fall short. For this reason, you should research the public schools in your preferred suburb before you settle on a neighbourhood.
Public school admission in Nashville is based on residential zones, so it makes sense to weigh up how close the better schools are before you commit to a family home. Children who attend their zoned school and live more than 1.25 miles (2km) from an elementary or middle school, or more than 1.5 miles (2.4km) from a high school, qualify for a free yellow bus. Metro Nashville also offers free WeGo public transport through its Stride programme to all high schoolers, and to middle schoolers at optional and magnet schools. Either way, you are spared the school run through rush hour traffic.
Magnet schools
Magnet schools are a subset of public schools. They concentrate on particular subject areas such as STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths), the performing arts, world languages, and advanced academic programmes.
Admission to magnet schools is less restricted by catchment areas than it is with regular public schools. Students often come from farther afield, provided they show an aptitude for the school’s subject focus. The most sought-after academic magnets, such as Hume Fogg and Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet, ask for a GPA of around 80 with no missing or failing grades, plus met or exceeded marks in maths and English. Metro Nashville has floated a move to lottery-based admissions at some of these schools to widen access, so the exact bar may change.
While magnet schools are primarily state funded, they often receive additional financial support from external sources. They aren’t as strictly bound by the US curricula, and they have some freedom to develop their own syllabus.
Charter schools
Charter schools are another element of the public schooling system in Nashville. These schools are semi-autonomous institutions that operate under a contract with the Metro Nashville Public Schools District. The charter covers how the school is run, along with its goals, curriculum, teaching methods, and performance targets. Charter schools largely follow the standard curriculum, but they have more room to design their own programme. Like magnet schools, charter school admission isn’t based on residential zoning.
Areas and Suburbs in Nashville
Education and Schools in the US
Useful links
- Metro Nashville Public Schools: School Directory
- Tennessee Department of Education: State Report Card
Private schools in Nashville
Parents who want a more tailored education for their child often turn to private schools in Nashville. They are funded through tuition fees, and they generally offer smaller classes, better facilities, a wider choice of extracurricular activities, and a higher standard of teaching than the average public school. Children also tend to get more individual attention from teachers.
The downside of private education is the cost. Tuition fees add up quickly, and parents who go this route should budget accordingly. You will also need to factor in the extras: textbooks, uniforms, extracurricular activities, and field trips.
There are more than 100 private schools in Nashville, so you are spoilt for choice.
Useful links
International schools in Nashville
International schools in Nashville are thin on the ground, but families arriving from outside the US who want their children to keep studying a home-country curriculum still have options. Children can take the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme at several charter and magnet schools, among them Hillsboro Comprehensive and Hunters Lane High.
At these schools, children mix with others who have recently moved and may share similar experiences. For a family new to the country, that can be a real comfort. For Nashville residents in general, the advantage of completing the IB as opposed to a local curriculum is that the qualification is globally recognised.
Useful links
Special educational needs in Nashville
Children with special educational needs in Nashville are protected under both state and federal law. Under Tennessee law, a child with a learning difficulty or a physical disability is entitled to extra support through the public school system. Under federal law, too, every child, including those with a disability, has the right to a free and appropriate education.
The city has a fair few dedicated special needs schools, and public and private schools alike are expected to support children with developmental, behavioural, sensory, and physical disabilities.
Schools always try to place a child in mainstream classes first. A child moves to a specialist facility only when their needs are too complex to be met in that setting.
Useful links
- Tennessee Department of Education: Special Populations and Intervention Programmes
- Metro Nashville Public Schools: Exceptional Education
Tutors in Nashville
Private tutors in Nashville help children in all sorts of ways. Children can lose confidence after a move to a new school, and some need extra help to find their feet again. Others want coaching for university admissions exams. Whatever the reason, there are plenty of tutors to choose from.
The first place to look is often the child’s own school, which may provide a tutor or point you to one. Beyond that, Nashville has plenty of tutoring companies. You can pick from one-on-one and small group sessions, in-home visits, and online tutoring.
Long-standing local names include Learning Matters Inc. and Mathnasium. Mathnasium is a national chain with branches around the city. You can also find a tutor through online platforms such as Wyzant, and many parents shop around a few services before they settle on one. Whichever route you take, check that any tutor has been properly vetted before you sign anything.