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The 10 Best Private Schools in Nashville

Sometimes public high school isn’t the best option for your child or family. Luckily the city of Nashville has plenty of great private school choices for a more specialized approach to education. 

The Best Private Schools in Nashville

Christ Presbyterian Academy 

Here you’ll find a private, coeducational college-preparatory school that houses grades preschool-12.

Christ Presbyterian Academy provides top-notch education that’s taught through a Christian worldview.

Here they work to provide transformation through education and assist Christian families and kids in creating a deeper relationship with the religion and how that relates to the world around them.

A smaller campus ensures that teachers are able to spend time individually with students when more dedicated education is required, and there are only around 1300 students between all grades.

Christ Presbyterian Academy is a top choice in private schools in the Nashville area. 

  • Location: 2323-A Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN 37215 

Davidson Academy 

Here you’ll find an accredited and dedicated private Christian school where that hosts students ranging from K-12th grade.

Davidson Academy is a profoundly dynamic school for students that offers them the space to learn and grow with other like-minded students.

Here they provide college preparatory courses in an environment that also harbors spiritual, intellectual, physical, and social growth.

This is a semi-smaller campus with just over 600 students in all grades, ensuring more individualized education for all students.

They have numerous notable alumni, including a NASA employee, Miss USA 2007, and the Fruit of the Loom CEO.

Set your kids up for long-lasting success with education at Davidson Academy. 

  • Location: 1414 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN 37207 

Donelson Christian Academy 

This private Christian school houses grades K-12 and was originally founded in 1971.

The mission of Donelson Christian Academy is to serve Christ by providing students with a more challenging and college-preparatory-focused education.

Here the education is non-denominational, providing a biblical worldview aiming to develop individuals into more Christ-like leaders in all aspects of their life.

They offer numerous athletic teams for a whole growth experience outside of just education.

Private education creates smaller class sizes, too, which helps provide a more individualized type of education and a closer relationship within classrooms.

Donelson Christian Academy is a great choice for private lower education in the city of Nashville. 

  • Location: 300 Danyacrest Dr, Nashville, TN 37214 

The Ensworth School 

This private school features 2 campuses in the city of Nashville and provides K-12 education by both independent and coeducational means.

The Ensworth School is split between K-8 and then 9-12 to provide the highest quality education possible for each and every student.

Much smaller campuses and class sizes than found at public schools also ensure that the students here receive more attention from teachers and more specialized education when needed.

They offer AP courses, visual and performing arts, plus teachers with advanced degrees.

Regardless of age, The Ensworth School is a great choice in private education for students in the city of Nashville. 

  • Location: 211 Ensworth Ave, Nashville, TN 37205 

Father Ryan High School 

Here you’ll find a private, coeducational Catholic high school that focuses on college prep.

Father Ryan High School was founded on a tradition of faith, knowledge, and service, first founded in 1925.

Rooted in strong traditions of the Catholic faith, they also focus on advanced academic excellence and challenge students to reach their full potential; spiritually, academically, and personally.

For almost a century, they’ve withheld the same traditions while also managing to evolve and meet the new-age needs of the community.

With over 200 course offerings, an average class size of 16 students, and over 80 honors and AP courses to pick from, Father Ryan High School will help set kids up for long-term success. 

  • Location: 700 Norwood Dr, Nashville, TN 37204 

Franklin Road Academy 

This is a private, coeducational campus that features students from K-12 and is originally founded in 1971.

Franklin Road Academy provides an inclusive Christian community for its students at all levels.

Education here will be more challenging than at your average school, pushing students to academic success from day one.

Here they focus on inspiring, encouraging, and nurturing, all while promoting Christian ideals for a more spiritual way of viewing the world.

They boast a 62-acre campus for students, and over 12 countries are represented within this student body.

Franklin Road Academy is the perfect choice for a private Christian school in Nashville. 

  • Location: 4700 Franklin Pike, Nashville, TN 37220 

Harpeth Hall School 

Unlike the other schools that make this list, which include a coeducational campus, this private school is dedicated to girls only.

Harpeth Hall School is an independent college-preparatory school that has a mission of teaching young girls and women to think critically in an environment that helps them focus on education and thrive.

Here girls in grades 5-12 are welcome and embraced for who they are while also being encouraged to explore and expand their intellectual curiosity.

Raise daughters who think independently and lead confidently after an education at Harpeth Hall School. 

  • Location: 3801 Hobbs Rd, Nashville, TN 37215 

Lipscomb Academy 

This private Christian school is a premier private college preparatory Christian school perfect for students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

Lipscomb Academy prides itself in being an intentional Christian school that encourages students to discover their faith by serving both the community of Nashville and the world beyond.

The class sizes are small here, with a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio.

Plus, almost half the staff can boast over 10 years of teaching experience, and over 70% of faculty have advanced degrees.

Here students are encouraged to focus on their faith and education to help them grow both mentally and spiritually.

Lipscomb Academy is a great choice for private school grades pre-K through 12. 

  • Location: 3901 Granny White Pike, Nashville, TN 37204 

Montgomery Bell Academy 

The opposite of an all-girls school, this private preparatory day school is dedicated to boys only.

Montgomery Bell Academy is a premier independent school providing education to boys grades 7-12.

Founded in 1867, they have a long history of dedication to education and excellence in all fields.

They believe in strength in knowledge and also encourage students to take up passions outside of schooling with an emphasis on sports and the fine arts.

Through a lifelong pursuit of excellence, thousands of boys become brothers with an educational experience at Montgomery Bell Academy. 

  • Location: 4001 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205 

University School of Nashville

Here you’ll find a coeducational private day school in the city of Nashville that provides excellent education to students in grades K-12.

University School Of Nashville focuses on modeling only the best educational practices.

Here they push students to explore their individual needs and interests while nurturing intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential along with educational intelligence.

They want students to love learning and the pursuit of excellence.

The University School Of Nashville is well-known as a hub for educational greatness and will help students become the best version of themselves. 

  • Location: 200 Edgehill Ave, Nashville, TN 37212 

Final Thoughts

When you want to take high school education to the next step, enroll with one of these terrific private schools in the Nashville area.