City School of Nashville is a progressive, inclusive private school in the heart of Music City. We're built for families who want their child to be known, challenged, and fully themselves.
We're student-centered by design, with small classes, project-based learning, and a campus that reaches far beyond its walls. If you've been searching for an affirming, student-centered school in Nashville where curiosity leads the way, you're in the right place.
Choosing a school is one of the most personal decisions a family makes. This page walks through what a progressive, inclusive education looks like at City School, who thrives here, and how to see it for yourself.
When you're ready, we'd love to schedule a tour so you can experience it in person.
What Progressive and Inclusive Mean Here
A progressive school treats education as preparation for life, not just for tests. Learning is active, connected to the real world, and shaped around the students in the room.
An inclusive school goes a step further. It makes sure every student feels a real sense of belonging, where different identities and perspectives are welcomed and respected.
At City School of Nashville, those two ideas work together every day. We describe our approach as rainbows on the inside, which means students are free to be exactly who they're within a community that knows and supports them.
That belonging isn't a slogan on a wall. It shows up in how advisors build relationships, how classmates learn to disagree respectfully, and how each student brings their whole self to the table. You can read more on our Our Approach page.
A Small School Where Students Are Known
Small classes are one of the clearest advantages a family can look for. When a teacher works with a smaller group, there's more room for questions and more time for feedback.
There's also far less chance for a quiet student to slip through the cracks. Attention becomes personal rather than one-size-fits-all.
City School keeps classes intentionally small, with an average of about ten students. Serving grades 5 through 12, we pair that small size with a Core Advisory program, so every student has a trusted adult who knows their goals, strengths, and challenges.
The result is a school where students are seen and expected to participate, not simply counted. Our Academics Overview explains how this plays out across middle and high school.
What Makes City School Different
A quick look at what families tend to notice first:
- Small classes. An average of about ten students per class.
- Extended learning blocks. Longer classes that allow depth over breadth.
- Weekly fieldwork. Regular excursions that use Nashville as a classroom.
- Core Advisory. A trusted adult who knows each student well.
- Project-based learning. Real challenges with real-world relevance.
Fieldwork Is the Difference
Plenty of schools now talk about project-based learning and social-emotional growth, and that's a good thing. What sets City School apart is how far we take learning out into the city itself.
We treat Nashville as an extension of the classroom, and we do it on purpose and often. In a typical month, students might analyze architecture downtown, study civics at the State Capitol, or talk with professionals who bring their fields to life.
Over a single year, our classes take dozens of excursions that connect coursework to real people and real places. Students might meet a working doctor one week and a city official the next, building as broad a picture of careers and community as we can offer.
This is where curious, independent learners come alive. It's the part of our model families remember most.
Is City School the Right Fit?
Being honest about fit helps families make a confident choice. City School is a natural home for students who are proactive and self-directed, who enjoy asking questions and chasing down answers.
These are students who are ready to step into a hands-on day rather than wait to be told what to do, and they tend to flourish in our project-based, fieldwork-driven environment. Our model also asks something of them in return.
Because so much learning happens out in the city, students need to be comfortable with movement, new places, and the occasional change of plan. We preview and prepare for those moments whenever we can.
Families looking for a highly structured, low-activity, or intervention-based program will likely find a better match elsewhere, and we're always glad to talk that through. Getting this right means the families who join us are a real fit, which is better for everyone, and especially for the student.
In Their Own Words
City School students describe the difference in ways no brochure can. As Julian, Class of 2026, put it:
"This year, I really learned how to find my voice and truly advocate for myself. I think that is what this school is best at: helping teach you how to use the resources around you in the classroom, the home, and even the city, to help you."
Making City School Accessible
City School of Nashville is socio-economically diverse by design. We work to make our education reachable for families from a range of financial backgrounds.
Need-based financial aid is available and assessed through a secure third-party partner. You can learn more on our Tuition and Financial Aid page, or simply contact us and we'll help you find a path that works.
Still weighing whether a nontraditional school is right for your child? Our blog on creative students and alternative education is a helpful next read.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City School a special-education school?
No. City School is a small, supportive, personalized school where students who learn and think in their own way are known and supported. We aren't a special-education or clinical program, and we don't provide intervention services.
What kind of student thrives at City School?
Curious, self-directed students who enjoy hands-on learning and are ready to explore the city as part of their education tend to thrive here. Proactivity and resilience matter more than any particular academic profile.
What grades does City School serve?
We serve grades 5 through 12, spanning middle school (grades 5 to 8) and high school (grades 9 to 12).
How large are classes?
Classes average about ten students, which allows for personalized attention and strong relationships between students and teachers.
How can I see the school for myself?
The best way is to visit. You can schedule a tour or contact us with any questions.
Come See It for Yourself
A progressive, inclusive education is easier to feel than to describe. If you want a Nashville school where your child is known, challenged, and free to be themselves, we'd love to meet you.
Schedule a tour today and see the City School difference in action.