Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) has reached its highest-ever graduation rate, with 85.7% of seniors graduating in the 2023-24 school year—a 4.5 percentage point increase from the previous year. Two schools achieved double-digit gains, Maplewood High School and Glencliff High School, both Academies of Nashville schools.
This success coincides with MNPS earning a Level 5 TVAAS growth score for the third consecutive year, marking the district’s first-ever “threepeat” in Tennessee’s Value-Added Assessment System. The Level 5 designation—the highest possible—reflects exceptional progress across subjects like literacy, numeracy, and science. Together, these achievements demonstrate MNPS’s commitment to ensuring every student is prepared for success in college, career, and beyond, in line with the district’s “Every Student Known” mantra. This commitment ensures that each student’s academic and career needs are met, paving the way for long-term success.
Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) has introduced a dedicated instructional coach position to support Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers with less than three years of experience across the district. This move reflects MNPS’s commitment to strengthening teaching practices and retaining CTE teachers, ensuring that new educators receive the guidance and tools needed to succeed in the classroom.
A $1.8 million Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) grant to TCAT-Nashville will establish dual enrollment programs at McGavock and Glencliff high schools, preparing students for careers in industrial electricity and construction fields through partnerships with the Tennessee Titans, Turner Construction, Tudor Building Group, Perkins Construction, Eclipse Construction Group, and Empower Electric. Similarly, a $2 million GIVE grant awarded to Nashville State Community College and MNPS will launch dual enrollment healthcare programs at Maplewood and Pearl-Cohn high schools. Students can earn a Central Sterile Processing certificate, participate in clinical experiences with leading healthcare employers like Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Ascension, and HCA Healthcare, and gain a strong foundation that they can use to continue forward into more advanced healthcare pathways and careers. Together, these initiatives exemplify how strategic collaborations between education and industry are creating new opportunities for students while addressing workforce needs in Nashville and beyond.
The MNPS Early College Program empowers students to earn college credits—and even associate degrees—while still in high school through dual enrollment courses. This innovative approach provides a seamless transition to higher education and the workforce, reflecting MNPS’s unwavering commitment to fostering career readiness and equipping students with the skills and tools needed to reach their full potential.
In addition to the district’s Early College High School, which offers an immersive college experience at Nashville State Community College’s White Bridge campus, MNPS now proudly features four Early College programs citywide. These programs are also located at Whites Creek High School, Glencliff High School, and Cane Ridge High School, each offering students a unique opportunity to combine high school coursework with college-level learning.
The program’s impact is already evident. During a visit to Whites Creek High School, members of the Education Report Committee observed the program in action and engaged with school leaders, educators, and students. They learned that 22 students at Whites Creek are on track to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree. This achievement underscores the program’s effectiveness in preparing students for future academic and professional endeavors.
Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) has leveraged over $30 million from the Innovative School Models (ISM) Grant to redefine career and technical education, creating equitable pathways for student success. By fostering partnerships among schools, postsecondary institutions, and local employers, the district is preparing students for Tennessee’s most in-demand careers.
In addition to upgrading classrooms across the Academies of Nashville, the program has introduced industry-standard labs in middle schools, offering early exposure to career pathways in fields such as Culinary Arts, Audio Visual, Entrepreneurship, and STEM. These labs are strategically aligned with feeder high schools, ensuring students build foundational skills that support seamless transitions to high school Academies. Partnerships with institutions like Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt University have provided students with immersive STEM experiences, exposing them to real-world applications and broadening their career possibilities.
By prioritizing innovation, technology, and strategic investment, the MNPS Innovative School Models Grant Program is building a strong foundation for student success, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to thrive in the modern economy and lead the next generation of change.
