City School of Nashville is a progressive, inclusive private school that sits just across the river from East Nashville, right in the heart of downtown. For creative, curious East Nashville families, we're about as close as a private school gets.
We're student-centered by design, with small classes, project-based learning, and a campus that reaches out into the whole city. If you've been looking for an East Nashville private school where your child is known and free to be themselves, you're in the right place.
This page covers who we're, how close we sit to East Nashville, and how to come see us for yourself. When you're ready, we'd love to schedule a tour.
A Neighbor in East Nashville
East Nashville has always been one of the city's most creative, independent-minded corners, and a large share of our families call it home. City School sits downtown along the river, which puts us just minutes from Five Points, Lockeland Springs, Inglewood, and the rest of the East Side.
That closeness matters. A short trip across the river means less time in the car and more time for the things that matter, and it means your child is learning right in the city you already love.
Because so many of our families come from East Nashville, the community here already feels familiar to East Side kids. They walk in and find people who share their curiosity and their creativity.
What Makes City School Different
Here's a quick look at what East Nashville 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.
A Progressive, Inclusive Community
A progressive school treats education as preparation for life, not just for tests. Learning is active, hands-on, and shaped around the students in the room.
We describe our approach as rainbows on the inside, which means students are free to be exactly who they're inside a community that knows and supports them. For East Nashville families who want their child to feel at home being themselves, that belonging is the whole point.
You can read more about how we teach on our Our Approach page.
Fieldwork Across the City
Plenty of schools now talk about project-based learning, 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 often. In a single year, our classes take dozens of excursions, from studying civics at the State Capitol to talking with working professionals who bring their fields to life.
For East Nashville kids who already see the city as their playground, this is where school clicks. Our Academics Overview shows how it comes together across middle and high school.
Built for Curious, Creative Kids
East Nashville runs on creativity, and so do we. A lot of our students are makers, questioners, and doers, the kind of kids who'd rather build something real than sit and be lectured at.
That energy fits our model perfectly. Project-based learning gives creative kids room to chase real ideas, and our small classes mean a quiet artist and a big personality both get the attention and encouragement they need.
We also hand students real ownership of their learning. They help shape projects, follow their own questions, and present finished work to people who matter, from community partners to local professionals.
That kind of ownership builds confidence that lasts well beyond graduation. For an East Nashville family raising a curious, independent kid, it can be the difference between a child who tolerates school and one who loves it.
Is City School the Right Fit?
Being honest about fit helps families choose with confidence. City School is a natural home for students who are proactive and self-directed, who love asking questions, and who are ready to step into a hands-on day.
Our model asks something of students, too. Because so much learning happens out in the city, students need to be comfortable with movement, new places, and the occasional change of plan, which we preview and prepare for 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.
In Their Own Words
As Tully, Class of 2026, shared:
"City School brought me more creativity and friendships than I could've ever imagined. It is truly a fun, open, wonderful, and loving school."
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 just contact us and we'll help you find a path that works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is City School located relative to East Nashville?
City School sits downtown along the river, just minutes from East Nashville neighborhoods like Five Points, Lockeland Springs, and Inglewood.
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.
Is City School a special-education school?
No. We're 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.
How can I visit?
The best way to know is to come see us. You can schedule a tour or contact us with any questions.
Come See Us From the East Side
If you want an East Nashville private school where your child is known, challenged, and free to be themselves, we'd love to meet your family. Schedule a tour today and see the City School difference in action.