Where Every Student is Known
Nashville’s public schools mirror our vibrant and diverse community, where every student is known, valued, and supported.
Success at Every Level
Metro Nashville Public Schools offer rigorous academic programs, like International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement courses, Early College degree opportunities, and Cambridge International, along with a bounty of hands-on learning experiences. At every grade level and in every content area, students are engaged and inspired by teachers who make it their mission to understand every student's talents and interests and support their goals and dreams.
Our internationally known Academies of Nashville promote career exploration at our 12 zoned high schools through school-within-a-school small learning communities and hundreds of business and community partnerships.
And strong community and college partnerships provide top opportunities to our students from Pre-K through Grade 12, including dual college credit programs and full-tuition university scholarships and on-campus supports through our University MNPS initiative.
Our History
Public education in Nashville dates back more than two centuries. Robertson Academy, founded in 1806 through a federal act establishing schools in each Tennessee county, remains open and serves as the center for MNPS's gifted (GATE) and exceptional education programs.
The city opened its first lasting public school, Hume School, in 1855. That building still stands and is now home to Hume-Fogg Magnet High School. Nashville operated its own school system until it merged with Davidson County’s schools in 1964.
Davidson County established its Board of Education in 1907 to oversee a growing network of schools. Several original county schools—like Antioch, Jere Baxter, and Harpeth Valley—are still part of the MNPS system today.
In 1963, the creation of a unified Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County led to the merger of the two school systems. The first Metropolitan Board of Education met July 1, 1964.
Today, Metro Nashville Public Schools serves approximately 81,000 students across 160 schools, making it the 49th largest district in the nation. We are led by a nine-member elected Board of Education and a superintendent, with funding approved by the Metro Council.