Academies of Nashville

We have all asked the question, "Why do I need to know this?" The Academies of Nashville is a transformation of the high school experience so that students never have to wonder, "Why?"

The Academies of Nashville has been recognized by the White House as a national high school transformation model and provides students with one of the best college and career prep experiences in the nation.

Our journey of transforming high schools is founded on three fundamental concepts:

Transform the classroom experience by bringing real-world experience aligned to careers of interest to all classrooms and developing 21^st century life skills that students will use for years to come.
Transform the high school experience through a structure of career and interest academies that bring teams of teachers together to collaborate, build relationships, and support individual student needs.
Transformation of business engagement by working closely with business and community partners to provide expertise and experiences.

Every student in our 12 zoned Academies of Nashville schools has a choice of multiple academies. Whether a student is interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, business, or engineering, every academy will enhance the student's high school experience while preparing them with skills applicable to any career field.

More than 400 business and community partners are committed to ensuring students gain exposure and experience within each class. Additionally, local colleges and universities have teamed up with the Academies of Nashville to create access to a range of dual credit, dual enrollment, and industry credentials that will better prepare every student to be college or career ready.

Opportunities Beyond the Classroom

We want to give our students every opportunity to learn about their areas of interest. Take a look at what experiential learning looks like at every grade level.

Career Exploration Fair

Industry Field Trips

Job Shadowing

Internships

Preparation and Real World Inspiration

We place an extremely high value on first-hand experience so our students can make informed, inspired choices about their areas of study. Our program includes:

Academy Showcases

The Capstone Experience

Early Post-Secondary Opportunities

While enrolled in their academy, students can complete their choice of advanced academic classes, honors, and global arts and music courses. Every pathway within the 35 academies offers pathway dual credit and often an industry certification.

In addition to the academy pathway courses, students can earn early post-secondary opportunities through Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge, or Dual Enrollment through their general education courses.

Industry 4.0 Diploma Distinction

The Industry 4.0 diploma distinction provides a graduation pathway for high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in a high-need, high-skill industry after graduation.

Students who pursue this distinction will:

Receive enhanced career coaching and counseling.
Earn at least nine career-based learning (CBL) or dual enrollment credits in grades 9-12.
Have the option to substitute a CBL or dual enrollment course, as approved by the State Board of Education, for one math credit and one science credit.

A high school student interested in receiving an Industry 4.0 diploma distinction shall notify their counselor or school principal prior to the end of their 10th grade year.

For more information, reach out to a school counselor or view the Tennessee Board of Education's Academic and Instructional Requirements for earning a diploma.

Learn More about Our Academies

Academies and Pathways by School 2024

In This Section

Rigor

All students form a deeper understanding of required academic subjects, electives, and specialized courses to prepare them for college.

Relevance

Teachers incorporate real-world examples into all academic and specialized courses. In the Academies of Nashville, we strive for every student to participate in at least one experiential learning activity every year of high school. Experiences are designed to build upon one another in order to narrow a student's postsecondary focus.

Relationships

Students share smaller personalized environments with classmates with common interests and a team of teachers who serve as their advocates.

Readiness

Connections with business and community partners provide students with 21st-century skills for post-secondary and career success.