Serving Metro Schools’ youngest students, Ross Early Learning Center uses a curriculum that allows the pre-kindergarten students enrolled there to learn while playing – laying a foundation for future academic successes and lifelong learning.
Ross’s teachers and staff ensure Every Student is Known by connecting with each family during arrival and dismissal and through positive parent phone calls and conferences. MNPS Pre-K programs are open to all age-eligible students and focus on areas that are important for school success. Each student’s learning needs are considered as teachers plan and adapt learning environments and carefully craft instruction to meet students at their current learning level, and the impact on students’ development at a very young age can be profound. 
“When students feel loved and cared for, they perform better in school and life,” explains Ross Principal Miatta Alexander. “Learning through play is our strength, and carefully crafted classroom environments, along with meaningful relationships with our families, are the foundation for our success with preparing our students to meet academic and social-emotional learning goals. Our students thrive at Ross and leave ready to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.”
Community partners and family participation also contribute to making Ross a caring, fun place to learn and work. Through a partnership with local nonprofit Plant the Seed, Ross students enjoy weekly gardening lessons. Ross also encourages families to be a part of the school’s Parent Advisory Council (PAC) and offers monthly family workshops on a variety of topics. With the help of community partner UniCycle, Ross also operates a clothing closet for families who need that type of assistance.
Facts about Ross
- The school motto is “Ross Early Learning Center is transforming early childhood education; laying the foundation for academic success and lifelong learning through curiosity, inquiry, discovery and joy.”
- Ross Early Learning Center has a long history in Nashville, going back to the first Ross Elementary School that opened in 1907 on Ordway Place. Ross takes its name from Marcus M. Ross, a teacher and principal for Nashville City Schools. The current building, located on McFerrin Avenue, opened in 1988.
- Ross transitioned to an Early Learning Center in 2014. Students learn through outdoor experiences, social and emotional learning activities, and structured play that is designed to support academic success.
- Ross just launched a new logo featuring the Ross Robin mascot in school colors of medium grey and light blue.
Learn More about Ross and Early Learning
To learn more about Ross ELC and Metro Schools’ other early learning programs, visit our Early Learning and Pre-K website.
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