Metro Nashville Public Schools

A School For Every Student

Metro Schools offer a wide variety of unique academic programs, supports, and extracurricular activities in locations that span the city,  ensuring students have access to the tools they need to thrive and be successful.

MNPS is home to 160 schools and a community of dedicated teachers and administrators who provide students with the education they deserve.

Partnering with you and your family, we want to provide your child with a complete educational experience that allows them to graduate prepared for success in college, the professional world, and life. MNPS offers personalized learning Pre-K - 12, making sure every student is known and supported.

• Families can choose from their zoned school, apply to a charter school, or select a school outside their neighborhood or zone through the school options process.
• Visit the district maps page for more schools, cluster, optional schools maps. 
  • Optional schools are listed by grade tier on this page, as well.

2025-2026 School Year Application

The Optional Schools application for the 2025-2026 school year will be open from January 21 to February 7, 2025.

For the complete schedule with important dates and deadlines, visit the School Options calendar.

New to the District or Switching Schools?

We accept, at any time, optional schools applications from students who are new to MNPS or currently enrolled in an MNPS school but would like to apply to a charter that participates in our district's optional school application process.

You can begin the application on the SchoolMint online portal. Optional Schools Application

Download Application Booklets

The informational application booklets, translated into several languages, are in the document container on this page. 

Instructional Application Videos

• The videos walk you through creating a SchoolMint account and submitting an application.
• The videos are available in English, Spanish and Arabic.
• If you would like to read the instructions the video transcript is provided in the tabs.
• The instructions can be translated into several languages by using the translation tool on the top of our webpage. The videos can be watched in other languages on YouTube as well.

Before You Apply to an Optional School

Explore Metro Schools

To fully compare school options and make informed selections on the Optional Schools Application, families are strongly encouraged to engage with the schools that interest them, including their zoned school. 

• Visit the school’s website and social media pages or call the front office to learn about virtual or in-person events — an important step to ensure the climate, culture and educational offerings of a school will meet your child’s needs.
• A list of optional schools can be reviewed on this page and on the optional school map.

Optional Schools List for 2025-2026

Key for School List:

• * Indicates charter school
• (M) indicates magnet school

Translated Optional Schools Application