Get To Know Metro Nashville Public Schools

From the Metro Nashville Public Schools:

January 28, 2021

The Optional Schools Application allows Metro Schools families to choose among open enrollment schools, in addition to their zoned school. For most families, zoned schools are the best option, as they serve their community and students can attend school close to home and with their neighborhood friends. However, if you want to learn more about all of the school options available to you, the annual School Options Process is designed to help you discover all that Metro Schools has to offer.

Whether you want to learn more about your zoned neighborhood school or an optional school — we can’t wait to show you our 159 Metro Schools.

Zoned Schools

Students in Nashville have a guaranteed seat at their zoned elementary, middle and high school. Some areas across the county also have zoned options, which give families guaranteed access to more than one school in their school zone. Proof of residency is required. Find your neighborhood school using the Zone Finder.

Optional Schools, Magnet Schools

Magnet schools offer students unique themes that meet their specific interests such as: STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), Arts, IB (International Baccalaureate) and more. Magnet schools offer specialized programming and may have entrance requirements. Students must meet two requirements to qualify for entrance into an academic magnet school: academic grades and standardized test scores. See complete details on the 2021-2022 academic requirements.

Optional Schools, Non-zoned Schools

Our non-zoned schools are zoned, neighborhood schools that have seats available for students across the county. A geographic priority zone (GPZ) gives admission preference to families who live in a defined geographic area around an optional school. Admission is not guaranteed for families located in a GPZ; however, they do receive priority placement during the random selection process. Learn more about the GPZs and see if you’re in a priority zone.

Specialty Schools

Some of our schools, including our two arts magnets - Nashville School of the Arts and Isaiah T. Creswell Middle School of the Arts - require students to audition. Schools will notify potential students for details. Other schools, like MNPS Virtual School and Nashville Big Picture High School, require student interviews.

Early College High School Programs

Through an early college high school program, admitted students can fast-track their college plans or begin building a career by simultaneously earning a high school diploma and a collegiate associate degree in just four years — and at no cost to families. The application process is open to current eighth graders who will enter high school as ninth graders in the 2021-22 school year. Learn more about our two Early College High School programs.

Charter Schools

Charter schools are publicly financed, privately operated schools. Based on current state law, all charter school operators in Tennessee must be nonprofit organizations.  Some charter schools have their own application process.

Important Dates

Download the school options calendar.

• Monday, Jan. 25, 2021: Applications open online at www.mnps.org/apply. Printed applications are available at schools, enrollment centers and the Family Information Center.
• Friday, Feb. 12, 2021: Applications must be submitted in-person at the Family Information Center, 2601 Bransford Avenue, by 4:30 p.m. CST or submitted online by 11:59 p.m. CST. Applications received by this deadline will be part of the random selection process on the first Selection Day.
• Families must schedule an appointment if they are submitting applications in person. Schedule an appointment by calling the Family Information Center at: 615-259-INFO.
• Monday, March 8, 2021: Selection Day results will be available online at www.mnps.org/school-options.

Application Booklet

The application booklet, filled with helpful information and frequently asked questions, is available for download in several languages: English, Spanish, Arabic, Burmese, Kurdish, Nepali.

Virtual School Tours

Check school webpages, or the School Options application page for links to virtual school tours. We’ve also added the events to the Metro School Facebook page, if you want to sign up for a reminder on social media.

Explore Your Public Schools

Submit your optional schools application

This press release was produced by the Metro Nashville Public Schools. The views expressed are the author's own.