Nashville School of the Arts

I am a mother of a Junior who has attended this school since 9th grade. Overall I think this is a great school but I would advise any parent whose student may attend NSA to check there work and to make sure they are on target. I do feel like the students sometime get away with things due to their artistic ability. My student is an honor student and takes AP classes but I monitor all of her grades. They have to stay focus due to all the activities that go on! Principal Bob is a great principal and Ms. Williams is a wonderful Assistant Principal, she is always there to help!!!
--Submitted by a parent

This school provides an excellent education while focusing on the students' creativity and artistic expression in all areas of the arts.
--Submitted by a parent

I spent all four years of high school at NSA, graduating in May 2008. Having somehow miraculously managed to matriculate into a top-tier university in the Northeast, I am actually somewhat scandalized at how poor my secondary education really was. At the time, I thought that I was simply a bright student, receiving consistently top scores in my courses, however, I know see that my courses were largely overly simplistic and did not at all prepare me for the rigors of higher education. I currently struggle inordinately in my studies compared to my fellow students (who largely attended elite New England preparatory academies). I would discourage any college-bound student from attending this school, and to instead look into Hume-Fogg, MLK, and similar private schools, regardless of income (one thing that I wish I knew then is that these institutions often offer financial aid).
--Submitted by a student

NSA is, as Principal boB says, 'the greatest school on the planet'. The school is small and teachers know kids. The teacher willingly work with kids and parents and there is a weekly conference for parents to take advantage of with any or all of a student's teachers. They offer AP and Honors classes and some of the finest arts teachers in the MNPS system. If your child is an art 'geek' in any discipline NSA will be a great home for them.
--Submitted by a parent

We are the most diverse school in Nashville. Our students are artistic individualists with caring souls.
--Submitted by a parent

the writer of the post of december 7 2008 is apparently under the impression that education is given to people by their teachers and not sought for the student himself or herself. i would imagine his or her complaint on the day after report cards would be 'why did you give me this grade!' when in reality, he or she earned it. i graduated from NSA in 2006 and while i will admit that algebra is not my best subject, the academics at NSA are just fine. as is true with any other experience you get what you put in it. the difference between this school and others is that NSA gives the students the opportunity to invest themselves in the arts.
--Submitted by a student

This school was the best high school i ever went to. I unfotunately had to move in my sophomore year. But trust me, you will love this school and everyone in it.
--Submitted by a student

Anyone who is considering going to this school, please do. I'm graduating in May and I've been at NSA for the entire time I've been in high school. It's been the best experience of my life. I'll miss NSA with all my heart. We have some amazing teachers. The feeling of openness and family-like affection for one-another is awesome. Generally the people who dislike NSA are just people who like to complain.
--Submitted by a student

I will never be able to forgive my teachers for my horrible education. I'm a graduating senior who is at an Algebra I math level. For all those parents and kids out there who, like me, have a choice between NSA and Hume Fogg, choose HFA.
--Submitted by a student

I'm graduating this May, and honestly, I was able to coast by on what I learned in middle school at MLK. My arts courses were generally good, however, my academics were the opposite. Academically I learned nothing outside of English, French, History, Government, Economics, and Biology. The rest was pointless. Biology isn't even good anymore since Miss Williams left. This school is a joke academically. My diploma won't even be worth the paper it's written on.
--Submitted by a student