School Options

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 personalized learning in grades Pre-K to 12.

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.

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 another school that participates in our district's optional school application process.

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

Before You Apply to an Optional School

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.

Consider Transportation and Attendance

In most cases, school bus transportation is not provided to out-of-zone students attending optional schools. Check with individual schools to determine transportation availability.

Public bus transportation through WeGo Public Transit is provided at no cost to all high school students through the StrIDe program, where student ID cards double as city bus passes. The same program is available to middle school students attending an optional school, with the exception of charter middle schools. Parent permission for middle school students is required to receive a StrIDe bus pass. Learn more on the district transportation webpage.

Approval to continue enrollment in an out-of-zone school is given with the understanding that your student’s attendance will comply with the district’s attendance policy. Failure to comply with the attendance policy can result in revocation of placement in an out-of-zone school.

Check Special Admission Requirements

Schools with Academic Entrance Requirements

Hume-Fogg High School
Martin Luther King Jr. School
Meigs Middle School
Early College High School

Schools that Require Students to Audition and/or Interview

Isaiah T. Creswell Middle School of the Arts
Nashville School of the Arts
MNPS Virtual School (review additional requirements)
Nashville Big Picture High School

The schools will contact applicants to arrange auditions or interviews.

Detailed Requirements Available

Read the Academic Requirements page for school-specific information

Gather Required Documents

The parent/guardian must be a Davidson County resident before submitting an Optional Schools Application for his/her child.
An MNPS-issued student identification (ID) number is required.
- Families can apply for a student ID number online the Register for School webpage
Student ID numbers may also be acquired at any of the district’s eight enrollment centers.
The parent/guardian must have a valid email address or phone number to submit an application.

Fill out the Application

Families are encouraged to apply online at the application website . All changes to an existing application must be made online. If you need internet access, you may visit your nearest Nashville Public Library branch.
All applications are entered into a computerized random selection process.
If your child is selected to attend one of the schools on your application during the random selection process, you will be offered the opportunity to accept a seat in that school. The seat must be accepted or declined by the deadline.
Your child will be put on a waitlist for any schools that were listed higher on your priority list than the school where your child was selected to attend.
School choices must be prioritized from one (highest priority) to seven (lowest priority)—this includes pathway schools and all schools that require an interview or audition.
Families will be “pulled” from the waitlist and offered an available seat at any time beginning in March after acceptance deadline, through the fifth day of school as seats become available.
Families will be notified of their selections by text, email and/or by USPS mail.

Submit the Application

Families are encouraged to apply online .

All changes to an existing application must be made online. If you need internet access, you may visit your nearest Nashville Public Library branch.

Paper applications are accepted and must be returned to the Office of School Options.
Submit a paper application by mail to:
Office of School Options
Metro Nashville Public Schools
2601 Bransford Ave.
Nashville, TN 37204