Best Nashville Private Schools

Best Nashville Private Schools – 2025

February 26, 2025

As a parent in Nashville—or the surrounding suburbs such as Brentwood, Franklin, or Nolensville—you have a wealth of excellent private schools to choose from. Of course, having a ton of terrific options doesn’t make your selection any easier. After all, there are a multitude of considerations guiding your decision of which private schools in Nashville will be best for your child. Are you seeking a boarding or day school? Do you want your child’s private high school to have a religious affiliation? How long of a commute is right for your teen’s lifestyle? However, ��һ��ӰԺ�ݲ�’ list of the Best Nashville Private Schools will focus primarily on our area of expertise—college admissions. As such, we will highlight the job that each of the schools does at sending their graduates on to the region/nation’s premier 4-year schools.

Here’s a quick preview of the high schools that made our list. Detailed profiles and stats can be found when you scroll below.

1) University School of Nashville

2) Harpeth Hall School

3) The Ensworth School

4) Montgomery Bell Academy

5) Battle Ground Academy

6) Pope John Paul II Preparatory School

7) Christ Presbyterian Academy

8) Brentwood Academy

9) Lipscomb Academy

10) Franklin Road Academy

Please note that inclusion on our Best Nashville Private Schools list is a selective and criteria-based process. However, the order in which the schools appear is not representative of any further ranking; the numbering is solely intended to enhance the ease of navigating this resource. All of the schools profiled below have a history of sending graduates to the top colleges in the country. For each of our top institutions, ��һ��ӰԺ�ݲ� will provide you with—when available—each school’s:

Location
Tuition (9-12)
Enrollment (9-12)
Average Score
Average Score
Senior Class Size
College Admissions Highlights
Academic Highlights

Now, let’s dive in and examine the profiled Nashville private schools.

#1 Best Nashville Private Schools

University School of Nashville – Nashville

2000 Edgehill Ave, Nashville, TN 37212

College Admissions Highlights: University school of Nashville over the last four years have seen graduates enroll at these fine institutions: American, Belmont, BU, Carleton, Carnegie Mellon, Case Western, Columbia, Davidson, DePaul, Duke, Ga Tech, Howard, Indiana, Loyola, Middlebury, NYU, Northeastern, Occidental, Pratt, Purdue, Spelman, UChicago, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Tennessee, USC, UVA, Vanderbilt, Vassar, Wake Forest, Washington U, William & Mary, and Yale.

Academic Highlights: The average class size is 14 students. 72% of faculty possess an advanced degree. 36% identify as students of color. Household represent 52 different countries. 14 AP & 18 MSON (Malone Schools Online Network) for advance level courses. 86 % scored a 3 or higher on AP exams. 19 sports programs with 85% participation grades 5-12.

Tuition (9-12): $32,908
Enrollment (seniors): 105
Median SAT Score : 1400
Median ACT Score: 30.5

#2 Best Nashville Private Schools

Harpeth Hall School – Nashville

3801 Hobbs Rd, Nashville, TN 37215

College Admissions Highlights: Graduates from the last four years have gone on to matriculate into highly-selective schools such as: BC, Case Western, Columbia, Cornell, Davidson, Duke, Georgetown, Howard, MIT, Northwestern, Pepperdine, Princeton, Tufts, US Air Force Acad, UC Berkeley, UCLA, U Michigan, Notre Dame, UNC Chapel Hill, USC, Stanford, Vanderbilt, Villanova, Washington U, William & Mary, Williams, and Yale.

Academic Highlights: Harpeth Hall is an all-girls institution. 7:1 student to teacher ratio with an average class size of 14. 84% of faculty hold masters or doctoral degrees. 19% students of color. 90% of AP test-takers earned a 3 or better on exams. Over 10 national merit finalists in the last two years. 14 varsity sports in which 65% participate.

Tuition (K-12): $38,600
Enrollment (seniors): 101
Mid-50% SAT Score: 1250-1470
Mid-50% ACT Score: 25-31

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#3 Best Nashville Private Schools

The Ensworth School – Nashville

211 Ensworth Ave, Nashville, TN 37205

College Admissions Highlights: Over the last four years, Ensworth grads entered the following schools: American, Barnard, Baylor, Belmont, BC, Brown, Case Western, Colby, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Georgetown, Howard, Indiana, Loyola, NYU, Northeastern, Pomona, Princeton, SMU, Tulane, Ohio State, UC Berkeley, Georgia, Michigan, UNC Chapel Hill, Notre Dame, Penn, USC, Tennesse, UVA, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Washington U, William & Mary, and Williams.

Academic Highlights: Average class size is 16, with 9:1 student/teacher ratio. 73% of faculty hold advanced degrees. 23 AP courses are offered. 94% scored a 3 or higher on AP exams. 52 extracurriculars offered. 82% participate in the 18 sports teams. 54% participate in service scholars.

Tuition (9-12): $41,950
Enrollment (graduates): 121
Average SAT Score: Not Reported
Average ACT Score: 28-34 (for students with an 89.5 or better GPA)

#4 Best Nashville Private Schools

Montgomery Bell Academy – Nashville

4001 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205

College Admissions Highlights: For the last four years, students matriculated at many of the finest schools including: Baylor, BC, Carnegie Mellon, Case Western, William & Mary, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Davidson, Emory, Georgetown, Ga Tech, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Macalester, NYU, Northwestern, Princeton, Purdue, Stanford, Tufts, UC Berkeley, U Miami, U Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn, USC, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, and Yale.

Academic Highlights: Montgomery Bell is oldest private all-boys school in state. The average class size is 14 students. 17% students of color. 70% of faculty members hold advanced degrees. 93% students scoring 3 or higher on AP exams. 80+ clubs & activities. 17 Varsity sports with 16 state championships since 2014. 4665 hours of student service to 25+ non-profits.

Tuition (9-12): $39,069
Enrollment (seniors): 140
Mid-50% SAT Score: 1210-1460
Mid-50% ACT Score: 26-32

#5 Best Nashville Private Schools

Battle Ground Academy – Nashville

336 Ernest Rice Ln, Franklin, TN 37069

College Admissions Highlights: Recent BGA graduates college destinations: American, BU, Case Western, Columbia, Clemson, Dartmouth, Emory, Georgetown, Middlebury, NYU, Northwestern, Rice, UC Berkeley, Penn, Rhodes, USC, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Vassar, Wake Forest, Washington & Lee, WashingtonU, and Yale.

Academic Highlights: 83% of the 40 faculty members possess advanced degrees. 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio with an average class size of 12 students. 20 AP courses. 86% of AP test-takers scored a 3 or above. Visual and performing arts with 31 courses. Over 40 athletic teams and 60+ clubs, organizations & honors societies. Greers & Platos literary society is a year long competition within the school.

Tuition (9-12): $29,450
Enrollment (Pk-12): 955
Average SAT Score: Not Reported
Average ACT Score: 24

#6 Best Nashville Private Schools

Pope John Paul II Preparatory School – Nashville

117 Caldwell Dr, Hendersonville, TN 37075

College Admissions Highlights: Recent students have enrolled in schools such as American, Belmont, Clemson, William & Mary, Davidson, Embry-Riddle, FSU, Georgetown, GaTech, Hofstra, Macalester, NYU, Northeastern, Purdue, Sewanee, Syracuse, Tennessee, UMichigan, UMiami, Notre Dame, UVA, Vanderbilt, Vassar, Villanova, and Wake Forest.

Academic Highlights: 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio. 80% faculty have advance degrees. 22% students of color. 50 AP, Honors, and Dual Enrollment courses offered. There were 77 AP Scholars in the Class of 2022. 79% of AP test-takers scored a 3 or better; 58% scored a 4 or 5. 24 varsity sports. 20+ clubs & student organizations. 4 art concentrations.

Tuition (9-12): $20,000
Enrollment (9-12): 522
Average SAT Score: Not Reported
Average ACT Score: 23.5

#7 Best Nashville Private Schools

Christ Presbyterian Academy – Nashville

2323-A Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN 37215

College Admissions Highlights: In a recent 3 year study, students matriculated into Belmont, BC, BU, William & Mary, Dartmouth, Davidson, Duke, FSU, George Washington, Pepperdine, Purdue, Sewanee, Texas A&M, Tennessee, US Air Force Acad, UGA, UMass, UMiami, UNC Chapel Hill, USC, UVA, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, and Washington & Lee.

Academic Highlights: 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio. 47% of faculty hold advanced degrees. 41+ honors/AP courses. 48 AP scholars with distinction. 89% scored a 3 of higher on the AP exams. 58 athletic teams have produced 151 college athletes. Over 15 arts performances a year and 37 classes offered. 50+ clubs, honors societies, publications, and enrichment opportunities.

Tuition (9-12): $26,170
Enrollment (seniors): 126
Average SAT Score: 1220
Average ACT Score: 27

#8 Best Nashville Private Schools

Brentwood Academy – Nashville

219 Granny White Pike, Brentwood, TN 37027

College Admissions Highlights: Over the last 4 years, students matriculated into the following schools: Baylor, BC, Dartmouth, Davidson, Furman, George Washington, Georgetown, UGA, Hofstra, Howard, Indiana, UMiami, UMichigan, NYU, UNC Chapel Hill, Northeastern, Penn, Pepperdine, Purdue, Rice, Tennessee, US Naval Acad, Vanderbilt, UVA, and William & Mary.

Academic Highlights: 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio. 24 AP and 28 honors courses are offered. 36 AP Scholars from a recent class. The Robotics program has won 9 state championships and 15 VEX world championships awards. In the last 10 years, they have won 40 individual & team state championships in athletics. 8 fine arts disciplines with over 20 performance opportunities.

Tuition (9-12): $34,490
Enrollment (seniors): 117
Average SAT Score: 1040-1270
Average ACT Score: 21-29

#9 Best Nashville Private Schools

Lipscomb Academy – Nashville

3901 Granny White Pike, Nashville, TN 37204

College Admissions Highlights: Graduates frequently gain acceptance to and enroll in schools such as BC, Brown, Cornell, GaTech, Johns Hopkins, Northeastern, Penn State, Rice, UT Austin, Penn, UNC Chapel Hill, UT Austin, UVA, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, and US Naval Academy.

Academic Highlights: 10:1 student to teach ratio. 65% of teachers have advanced degrees. 30 courses are available every day through Lipscomb University. Lipscomb produced 6 National Merit scholars & finalists. Over 30 athletic teams. The benefits of fine arts support multiple opportunities in the theatre, music and visual arts.

Tuition (9-12): $23,255
Enrollment (Seniors): ~130
Average SAT Score: Not Reported
Average ACT Score: Not Reported

#10 Best Nashville Private Schools

Franklin Road Academy – Nashville

4700 Franklin Pike, Nashville, TN 37220

College Admissions Highlights: Graduates from the last two years were accepted into American, Baylor, Belmont, BC, BU, Bucknell, Columbia, Colorado School of Mines, Davidson, DePaul, Emory, Furman, George Washington, IndianaU, Kenyon, Northeastern, Pace, Penn State, Purdue, Pepperdine, Rice, Tennessee, Trinity, U Miami, UGA, USC, Vanderbilt, VaTech, Wake Forest, WashingtonU, and William & Mary.

Academic Highlights: 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio with an average class size of 17.3 students. 19% student of color. 70% of faculty members hold advanced degrees. FRA offers 23 AP courses which 85% of the students take at least 1. 59 sports teams. 20+ art shows throughout the year. Mission trips are part of the curriculum for 9-12. 2800+ hours of community service.

Tuition (9-12): $31,830
Enrollment (seniors): 85
Average SAT Score: Not Reported
Average ACT Score: Not Reported

Final Thoughts – Best Nashville Private Schools

We hope you found our blog on Nashville private schools to be helpful. All high school students and families may wish to explore further information regarding the college search and admissions process at our Dataverse, Blog, and .

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High School Success

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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