Update: This article was last updated on 19th February 2025 to reflect the accuracy and up-to-date information on the page.
A brilliant capital and what culturally endowed destination Nashville, Tennessee, has always been. Recently, the city and the state saw some hallmark decisions that would rise the quality of education in children. In the year 2021, about 19.2 of Tennessee residents aged 25 years and above had a bachelor’s degree as highest educational attainment, and close to 31.2% of residents in the state reported that their most significant educational attainment was high school or equivalent in that same year.
There are more than 23 private schools in Nashville which comprise the nearly 11,560 students enrolled in it, and we are here to take you through them-seven of the really best-rated A+ ones for your child to get the top education he- or she- deserves!
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1. University School of Nashville
Topping the list is the University School of Nashville, which was on the University of Nashville campus by the Peabody Board of Trustees in 1888. The school is a renowned private institution on 80 acres of sprawling campus. It provides students with a rigorous academic curriculum on leadership and character development. The school’s diverse student body and its devoted faculty are passionate about utilizing cutting-edge teaching methods to improve the learning process.
Music, theater, and clubs are just a few extracurricular activities available to students. The University School of Nashville has varieties of extra activities available, including solidly equipped athletic teams that include clubs and sports like tennis, baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, and baseball.
Website: https://www.usn.org/
Contact: (615) 321-8000
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1
- College Preparation: Yes
- Graduation Rate: 100%
- Average SAT Score: 1380
- Average Financial Aid: Available but not specified
- Yearly Tuition: $29,239
- Location and Address: 2000 EDGEHILL AVE NASHVILLE, TN 37212
- Safety and Security: 89% of students agree that they feel safe at their school
2. The Ensworth School
The Ensworth School is located in two different sites in Nashville, Tennessee. The original campus had the first 152 pupils in 1958, now providing instruction from kindergarten through grade eight. The K–12 co-educational school cuts across its student body with very strong emphasis on teaching moral integrity, discipline and compassion to the student body.
The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools (SACS) and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). It has 71% of its faculty with advanced degrees. Besides this, The Ensworth School also offers more than 58 visual and performing arts courses at the high school level, along with 23 AP courses, to name a few. It is well reputed for creative teaching strategies and dedication to student-centered learning.
Website: https://www.ensworth.com/
Contact: (615) 383-0661
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1
- College Preparation: Yes
- Graduation Rate: 100%
- Average SAT Score: 1380
- Average Financial Aid: $21,788
- Yearly Tuition: $31,990
- Location and Address: 211 ENSWORTH PL NASHVILLE, TN 37205
- Safety and Security: 83% of students agree that they feel safe at their school.
3. Battle Ground Academy
Our third choice is Battle Ground Academy (BGA), an independent college preparatory school located in Franklin, Tennessee. Founded in 1889, the school originally sat in the part of the ground where the American Civil War battle of Franklin occurred.
In fact, grades K-4 taught at the historic Cox House on Franklin Road comprise the Harpeth Campus. The Glen Echo campus houses students from grades 5 through 12 of Mack Hatcher Parkway, adjacent to the historic plantation mansion Glen Echo.
The school has dedicated its presence to the students through one of the finest learning experiences for 133 years. Presently, the school serves almost 909 K-12 students and has a learning approach directed toward making some of that nurturing encouraging environment such that it inspires significant realization of the potential of children.
Not just does Battle Ground provide an excellent learning atmosphere for its students, it also highly attracts parents by providing all kinds of extracurricular activities outside an already pressing academic curriculum. With nearly 70 athletic teams competing in 13 middle school sports and 16 upper school sports, and more than 75 clubs and organizations, the school has much more to offer outside the curriculum, including sports teams, clubs, and service.
Website: https://www.battlegroundacademy.org/
Contact: (615) 794-3501
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1
- College Preparation: Yes
- Graduation Rate: 100%
- Average SAT Score: 1330
- Average Financial Aid: $12,071
- Yearly Tuition: $26,920
- Location and Address: 336 ERNEST RICE LANE FRANKLIN, TN 37069
- Safety and Security: 100% of students agree that they feel safe at their school
4. Lipscomb Academy
Fourth comes Lipscomb Academy, a private, Christian, college preparatory school designed for students from pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1891, Lipscomb offers an extensive and rigorous academic curriculum along with a vast number of programs in the fine arts, performing arts, and physical education.
College preparatory courses at the school are designed to put students on a track to lifelong learning and prepare them for success at some of the most selective colleges and universities nationally and abroad.
However, this program does not just relate to the rigorous academics that the Lipscomb Academy holds, but also includes a fitness curriculum known as a year-round strength and conditioning program specifically designed for grades 7-12 students. The instructional fitness inspires students to utilize their talents and fulfill their maximum potential in both worlds of sport and wellness.
Website: https://www.lipscombacademy.org/
Contact: (615) 966-6405
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1
- College Preparation: Yes
- Graduation Rate: 100%
- Average SAT Score: 1270
- Average Financial Aid: Available but not specified
- Yearly Tuition: $21,093
- Location and Address: 3901 GRANNY WHITE PIKE NASHVILLE, TN 37204
- Safety and Security: 79% of students agree that they feel safe at their school
5. Christ Presbyterian Academy
Ranking 5th on our best list is Christ Presbyterian Academy (CPA), a 58-acre private, co-educational, college-preparatory school located in Nashville, Tennessee. Established in 1985 as a ministry of Christ Presbyterian Church, the school aims to provide Christian education for the children of the church’s covenant members and, space permitting, for children of other believers, who wished to send their children to the academy.
It started with 124 students in grades K-6 with an 11-member faculty and staff. By the next year, the school had grown. Since its inception, the school has kept growing, adding grades and classes to develop a full preschool-12 program. The present enrollment is just over 1,300 with a faculty and staff of more than 200.
CPA boasts that 47% of its teaching members hold advanced degrees and offers its students 46 AP courses, all within a specialized 110 tech-integrated classrooms. Along with a rigorous academic program, the school has various extracurricular activities, including close to 58 athletic teams, sports teams, and other clubs. .
Website: https://www.cpalions.org/
Contact: (615) 301-3531
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1
- College Preparation: Yes
- Graduation Rate: 99%
- Average SAT Score: 1310
- Average Financial Aid: Available but not specified
- Yearly Tuition: $24,925
- Location and Address: 2323 OLD HICKORY BLVD NASHVILLE, TN 37215
- Safety and Security: 78% of students agree that they feel safe at their school
6. Montgomery Bell Academy
Montgomery Bell Academy, established in 1867, is an all-boys college preparatory school in Nashville, Tennessee. Having a long tradition of academic excellence, leadership development, and service to the community, this school is known for rigorous coursework, competitive athletics, and an arts program. The mission of the academy is to develop a community of gentlemen, scholars, and athletes who strive for excellence.
It offers many AP classes, has a well-rounded athletics program, and emphasizes leadership development. Numerous successful alumni have emerged from MBA into various fields such as business, law, medicine, and public service.
Website: https://www.montgomerybell.edu/
Contact: (615) 298-5514
Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1
College Preparation: Yes
Graduation Rate: 100%
Average SAT Score: 1400
Average Financial Aid: Available but not specified
Yearly Tuition: $30,840
Location and Address: 4001 Harding Rd, Nashville, TN 37205
Safety and Security: 90% of students agree that they feel safe at their school
7. Franklin Road Academy
Franklin Road Academy (FRA) is a private, coeducational, college preparatory Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee, educating students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. Founded in 1971, FRA combines academic rigor with sound moral values based on Christian faith.
Students at FRA have choices for extracurricular programs such as athletics, fine arts, and STEM initiatives. The school nurtures leadership, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning in all its students.
Website: https://www.franklinroadacademy.com/
Contact: (615) 832-8845
Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1
College Preparation: Yes
Graduation Rate: 100%
Average SAT Score: 1320
Average Financial Aid: Available but not specified
Yearly Tuition: $24,800
Location and Address: 4700 Franklin Pike, Nashville, TN 37220
Safety and Security: 85% of students agree that they feel safe at their school
There you have it; an analysis and a list of seven best private schools in Nashville that you should consider for your child’s education. These institutions not only hone your kids academically; they instill a sense of discovering and developing hidden talents, along with nurturing spirituality to shape them into responsible citizens of their global community.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Private Schools in Nashville
1. What benefits will my child gain by attending a private school?
Private schools tend to have smaller class sizes and specialized programming for their students, as well as more individualized attention and advanced curriculum options with strong emphasis on the preparation for college. Many of them also provide unique extracurricular activities and safety measures.
2. How do I choose the best private school for my child?
Critical factors to consider are the academic reputation of the school, student-teacher ratio, extracurricular opportunities, safety, tuition and financial aid options, and values with which you and your family can identify. You may further inform your choice by visiting the campus and discussing it with the parents and students of the school.
3. Do schools offer financial aid or scholarships?
Yes. Several private schools in Nashville provide financial aid, needs-based scholarships, and merit-based awards to ease tuition costs for families. Specific details can be obtained through each school’s website or by contacting the admissions office.
4. How much does it cost to attend private school on average in Nashville?
The cost of tuition varies depending on the particular school, grade level, and amenities included. On an average basis, the private school tuition tends to be in the range of $20,000 to $32,000 per annum in Nashville. There are some schools that may provide a payment plan or any financial assistance that could lessen the burden of such tuition.
5. Is there any college preparation offered in Nashville private schools?
Yes, most private schools that offer advanced college preparatory courses including AP training, dual enrollment, SAT/ACT Prep, and personal college counseling services to help students with the admission process.
6. What measures are provided for the safety of students of private schools in Nashville?
For the most part, private schools are subject to stringent regulations concerning security protocols, secured entrances and exits, surveillance cameras, identification checks, school resource officers, etc. Overall, they should ensure regular safety drills as well as support services for mental health.
7. Are private schools in Nashville affiliated with any religion? The private schools in Nashville vary in their religious affiliations. For instance, Lipscomb Academy and Christ Presbyterian Academy are religious, while University School of Nashville and Montgomery Bell Academy are considered secular. Parents can make decisions based on their preferences for either religious or secular education.
8. What extracurricular activities do they offer?
Private schools offer a huge array of extracurricular activities: sports teams, performing arts, robotics clubs, and STEM programs, plus opportunities for leadership to hone well-rounded skills.
9. When should I begin the process of applying to private schools?
Most private schools in Nashville will accept applications starting in the fall for the following school year and are likely filling their spaces quickly, so the earlier the application process begins, the better. Some schools may also have entrance exams and/or interviews.
10. How do I schedule a tour or obtain more information about a school?
The school website will have details on any upcoming tours, open house dates, and contact information for admissions. Many schools also provide virtual tours for interested families that cannot visit the school in real life.
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How can I tell whether a Nashville private school genuinely provides a better education, and what other proof should I seek for than fancy brochures?
Academic excellence is based on standardized test results, college acceptance rate, and alumni success. Ask for concrete information on these metrics, as well as the school’s plans to maintain and enhance academic performance.
Especially at larger institutions, how can I ensure that my child won’t get lost in the shuffle when so many private schools profess to value personalized attention?
Investigate student to teacher ratios in detail, but do not limit yourself to that. Ask current parents to provide testimonials regarding their children’s real-life classroom experiences.