Statements

Mission

To cultivate healthy and happy, young adults who are knowledgeable about the world, passionate about the outdoors, and motivated to do good work.

Background

After years of successful nature-based programming in the 37013 zip code, the TN Department of Education approved a Charter School Expansion Grant for Tennessee Nature Academy in Spring of 2021. This grant kickstarted the launch of Tennessee Nature Academy as a nonprofit. The founding team began building support for the nature-based school model and hosted dozens of community outreach events, including an art and nature summer camp.

The school model is informed by community needs and research on the benefits of nature-based learning. As the most diverse zip code in Tennessee, this particular school model is needed to address opportunity gaps in order to connect historically disconnected demographics to nature-based programming.

The Tennessee Charter Commission approved TNA as a public charter school on October 18, 2022. Tennessee Nature Academy is the first nature-based public charter school in Middle Tennessee. TNA opened its doors to its first class of 5th and 6th graders in August of 2023 and is expanding one grade each year.

Impact

Tennessee Nature Academy will open in the Fall of 2023 with 162 fifth and sixth grade students that reflect the diversity of the school's surrounding community. We have received an overwhelming amount of applications from educators who are committed to our school model and have been searching for this sort of workplace environment. By the end of the first school year, all students will have met high academic standards, while also engaging in work related to agriculture, conservation, or natural resource management. Our school will have created a community of families who enjoy the frequent opportunities to participate in and contribute to the life of the school and the school's farm.

After ten years of operation, Tennessee Nature Academy aspires to assist in the spread of nature-based learning throughout the Nashville and Tennessee community. Our curriculum will be rooted in TN State Standards and available for teachers to adopt across the region. TNA's model will inspire other districts and states to shift educational priorities so that the whole child and community is nurtured and valued.

Needs

As a new charter school opening in 2023 there are significant startup needs to ensure that TNA is prepared to open and operate in 2023 with our founding students and staff. Areas of need include:

-Marketing to support enrollment and hiring
-Founding classroom supplies
-Salaries for community engagement coordinators during the planning year
-Facilities costs including leasehold improvements, construction of outdoor classroom spaces, and student and staff furniture
-Investments in our community agriculture

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Education  - Elementary & Secondary Schools
Secondary Category:	Environment  - Environmental Education
Tertiary Category:	Food, Agriculture & Nutrition  - Agricultural Programs

Areas Served

TN - Davidson