Looking for South Nashville private schools that will truly know your child? City School of Nashville is a progressive, inclusive private school right downtown, and we're proud to serve families from Antioch and across South Nashville.
We're student-centered by design, with small classes, project-based learning, and a whole city for a classroom. If you want a school where your child is known, supported, and free to be themselves, you're in the right place.
This page covers who we're, how easily South Nashville and Antioch families can reach us, and how to come see for yourself. When you're ready, we'd love to schedule a tour.
Close to South Nashville and Antioch
Antioch and South Nashville are part of the fabric of this city, and so are we. City School sits downtown, a straightforward connection up I-24 for families coming from the south side.
That means your child can learn in the heart of the city they already belong to, without leaving Nashville to find a school that fits. For many South Nashville families, that mix of closeness and a genuinely different approach is exactly what they've been looking for.
South Nashville is one of the most diverse parts of the city, and our community reflects that same range of backgrounds and perspectives. Students here find classmates who see the world in all sorts of ways.
What Makes City School Different
Here's a quick look at what South 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 built 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. Every family is welcomed and respected here, whatever their background.
You can read more about how we teach on our Our Approach page.
Fieldwork Across the City
Project-based learning is becoming more common, 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. In a single year, our classes take dozens of excursions, connecting coursework to real people and real places all over town.
For South Nashville students, that means the whole city opens up as a place to learn. Our Middle School page shows how this looks for younger students.
A Community That Reflects the City
Families choose City School for the academics, but they often stay for the community. South Nashville is home to people from all over the world, and our classrooms are richer for that range of backgrounds and perspectives.
Students here learn alongside classmates with different languages, cultures, and stories. That everyday exposure to other points of view is part of the education, not something separate from it.
It also mirrors the real world your child will step into after graduation. Learning to listen well, collaborate across differences, and see a problem from more than one angle is a skill set that pays off for life.
For South Nashville families who want their child to feel both challenged and at home, that blend of rigor and belonging is what makes the school work.
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 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 hard to make our education reachable for families from a range of financial backgrounds, and we know cost is a real question for many South Nashville families.
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
How far is City School from Antioch and South Nashville?
City School sits downtown, a straightforward connection up I-24 for families coming from Antioch and South Nashville.
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.
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.