Statements
Mission
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student's intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
Background
The roots of the University School of Nashville extend to the Reconstruction Era education movement and the beginning of 19th century model schools. Much of the school's legacy as a regional leader in independent school education can be traced to its Winthrop Model School and Peabody Demonstration School history. Founded in 1892 by the Peabody Board of Trustees on the University of Nashville campus, the Winthrop Model School was the first school in the South designed for the demonstration of proper teaching methods. Under the leadership of Governor James D. Porter, the 'model' school was transformed into a 'demonstration' school; Gov. Porter began allowing students at Peabody College for Teachers to practice teaching in the Winthrop School. In 1915, under the leadership of Dr. Thomas Alexander, the Peabody Demonstration School was founded on Peabody's new campus on 21st Avenue, combining the old observational and the new experimental methods of teacher training. At first the school was located in the basement of the Jesup Psychological Building. In 1925 the present building, designed in the classical style by the architectural firm of McKim, Mead, and White, was completed on Edgehill Avenue. Peabody Demonstration School quickly earned an excellent reputation for its curriculum and faculty. It also gained respect for its early commitment to diversity, a commitment which remains a defining strength of a USN education. When Peabody College decided to close the Demonstration School in 1974, a group of parents, alumni, students and teachers formed University School, a non-profit, independent institution dedicated to the original school's historic legacy. Today, University School is the educational home of approximately 1,070 students and 200 faculty and staff. The school's legacy of excellence continues in its faculty, which is consistently listed by students, parents, and alumni as University School's greatest strength. Seventy percent of the faculty hold advanced degrees, including six with doctorates. In addition to superb academic training, USN's teachers bring to their classrooms an abiding belief in the importance of attention to the individual student.
CEO Statement
We believe that *learning should be student-centered, active and in depth, to engender understanding. *collaboration across disciplines and age groups enhances learning. *inclusion of multicultural perspectives broadens and deepens opportunities for learning. *good schooling promotes responsible citizenship and service beyond self. *learning should be sequential and developmental, connecting factual content with cognitive process. *creating connections with the family and community improves learning. *good schooling helps students build a foundation for further study and a passion for learning. The school is defined by a culture of inquiry across divisions, in and out of the classroom, among teachers and students alike. Teachers guide their students toward becoming lifelong learners. Mutual respect among students and teachers, a cooperative spirit, and a commitment to independent thinking help define USN's student culture.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Education - Elementary & Secondary Schools |
| Secondary Category: | - |
| Tertiary Category: | - |
Areas Served
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - Rutherford |
| TN - Sumner |
| TN - Williamson |
