What would it be like if every child in Nashville were thriving in our schools every day?
We believe that the ability to thrive exists within each of our schools.
But creating thriving schools isn’t easy. The conditions do not occur by happenstance. They must be intentionally cultivated and supported, and we all have a role to play.At the Nashville Public Education Foundation, we believe the conversation about school success needs to be broadened – that academic achievement and growth, though critically important, do not by themselves represent what we all want for our students.
We also want our students to be inspired and motivated, to be socially and civically engaged, and to be happy and confident learners.
By examining the conditions that exist – or don’t – in our schools, we can pursue intentional actions around the policies, resources, and expectations that allow each child to grow, learn, and develop to their full potential.
Join the conversation as we explore schools that are climbing to thriving, examine research and practices in thriving schools, and enhance our ability to advocate for the conditions that allow every child to thrive every day.
Thriving Schools Framework
Our Thriving Schools Framework explores the conditions necessary to create thriving schools and explains how the presence of these conditions leads to increased student performance and agency. Download our white paper to explore the research base behind the framework.
Schools Climbing to Thriving
Our profiles show how a set of schools are leveraging different conditions – effective school leadership, ambitious instruction, collaborative cultures, and aligned resources – to create engaging educational experiences in an inclusive and supportive culture for all students. The magic happens through the interplay of these conditions that, when considered individually, are significant but not sufficient to create and sustain the experiences and outcomes we desire for all kids.
You may not find these schools on reward lists – yet – but we believe they are on their way to exhibiting the beliefs, structures, and supports necessary for all students to thrive.
Whitsitt Elementary School
South Nashville
Warner Elementary School
East Nashville
LEAD Cameron Middle School
Chestnut Hill
Head Middle School
North Nashville
A case study in social-emotional learning
