Grit
Students are encouraged to work hard toward their goals and continue moving forward when learning becomes difficult.
Find Your Place at KIPP Academy Nashville
Middle school is a time when students begin developing greater independence, discovering new interests, and finding their voices. At KIPP Academy Nashville, students are challenged academically while receiving the support and opportunities they need to grow with confidence.
Located in the heart of East Nashville, KIPP Academy Nashville (KAN) is a tuition-free public charter school serving students in grades 5–8. Our approach combines rigorous academics, individualized learning, music, athletics, clubs, and a school community where students are encouraged to develop their authentic selves.
About KIPP Academy Nashville
Schedule a TourKIPP Academy Nashville has served East Nashville families since 2005. Today, approximately 390 students learn at our Douglas Avenue campus, where teachers and staff work to create a challenging, supportive middle school experience.
KAN is built around three values—Grit, Shine, and Team—that help students understand what it means to work toward their goals, give their best effort, and support the people around them.
Grades: 5–8
Location: East Nashville
Address: 123 Douglas Avenue, Nashville, TN 37207
Year Opened: 2005
Students: Approximately 390
After-School Care: Options offered
Bus Transportation: Provided
Rigorous Academics With Individualized Support
Middle school students are taking on increasingly complex ideas while learning how to manage greater responsibility for their education.
KIPP Academy Nashville provides a holistic educational experience centered on rigorous academics and individualized learning. Across KIPP Nashville middle schools, students engage in core subjects including Math, English, Science, and Social Studies while developing skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, independent work, and meaningful classroom discussion.
Students are encouraged to participate actively, ask questions, communicate their ideas, and keep working when something is challenging.
KAN also helps students develop organizational habits as they move through middle school. Current school practices include student agendas for tracking assignments, online access to grades, and opportunities for students to reach out to teachers when they need help with their work.
The goal is to help students build both the academic knowledge and independence they’ll need as they prepare for high school.
Music Is Part of the KAN Experience
Students need opportunities to discover interests and abilities beyond their core academic classes.
At KIPP Academy Nashville, every student participates in music. Students who want to take their interest further also have the opportunity to participate in performance choir.
Music gives students another way to express themselves, collaborate with classmates, develop skills, and participate in the school community.
Supporting Students as They Become More Independent
Grades 5–8 bring significant academic, social, and personal changes. Students are learning more about who they are while also being asked to take greater responsibility for their work.
KIPP Nashville’s middle school approach emphasizes independent thinking, communication between students, staff, and families, music, athletics, and extracurricular opportunities. The broader KIPP Nashville model pairs rigorous academics with attention to social-emotional development, well-being, identity, and purpose.
At KAN, individualized learning and opportunities for students to develop their authentic selves are central parts of the school’s approach.
The result is a middle school experience designed to challenge students while giving them relationships and structures that can help them navigate those challenges.
Recognized for Student Growth
Families deserve current, school-specific evidence when comparing schools.
For the 2024–25 school year, KIPP Academy Nashville earned TVAAS Level 5 status, Tennessee’s highest designation for student academic growth. KIPP Nashville also reports that KAN was recognized by U.S. News & World Report in 2025 among the top 15 middle schools in Davidson County.
Academic results are one part of evaluating a middle school. Families may also want to consider the school’s learning environment, student support, extracurricular opportunities, transportation, location, and how their student feels when visiting the campus.
Athletics, Leadership and Activities
Middle school is also a chance to try something new.
KAN students have access to extracurricular opportunities that can help them develop friendships, practice teamwork, take on leadership roles, and discover interests outside the classroom.
Current opportunities highlighted by the school include:
- Student council
- Basketball
- Cross country
- Track
- Cheerleading
- Step team
- Performance choir
- Club
Programs, teams, eligibility requirements, and activities may vary by season and school year. Families should ask about current opportunities when touring the campus.
Meet Principal Dr. Kayla Miller
Dr. Kayla Miller
Principal, KIPP Academy Nashville
Dr. Kayla Miller leads KIPP Academy Nashville and its community of students, families, faculty, and staff.
KAN’s vision centers on what its community can accomplish together. Grit, Shine, and Team provide a shared framework as students work toward their goals and prepare for the next stages of their education.
Preparing for the Transition to High School
Explore KIPP Nashville Collegiate High SchoolExplore the K–12 PathwayMiddle school is an important chapter, but it’s also preparation for what comes next.
Throughout grades 5–8, students have opportunities to strengthen the skills they’ll need as high school expectations increase: managing assignments, working independently, participating in challenging discussions, communicating with teachers and classmates, and asking for help when they need it.
KAN is also located at 123 Douglas Avenue, the same address as KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School. KIPP Nashville’s broader network serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade, giving families the opportunity to explore another KIPP option when students approach the transition to ninth grade.
Enrollment and transitions between KIPP schools are not automatic, so families should review current application requirements as eighth-grade students prepare for high school.
Transportation and After-School Options
Explore Transportation & CareSchool choice has to work with your family’s everyday schedule.
KIPP Academy Nashville currently provides bus transportation and offers after-school care options.
Transportation routes, eligibility, schedules, and after-school arrangements can change. Families should confirm the latest options directly with KAN when considering enrollment for an upcoming school year.
Visit KIPP Academy Nashville
A campus tour can help your family understand what everyday life at KAN actually feels like.
Visiting gives students and caregivers an opportunity to see the school environment, learn about academic expectations, and ask questions about the programs and support that matter most to them.
Consider asking:
- What does a typical day look like for a KAN student?
- How does individualized learning work?
- How does the school support students who need additional academic help?
- What does the music program look like?
- Which sports, clubs, and activities are currently available?
- How does KAN help new students build relationships and feel part of the community?
- What transportation and after-school options are available?
- How does the school prepare eighth graders for high school?
Whenever possible, bring your student so they can ask their own questions and experience the campus firsthand.
KIPP Academy Nashville
Address: 123 Douglas Avenue, Nashville, TN 37207
Main Office: 615-514-6266
Email: KAN@kippnashville.org
Is KIPP Academy Nashville Right for Your Student?
Choosing a middle school means finding a place that fits your student’s academic needs, interests, personality, and goals while also working for your family.
KIPP Academy Nashville offers East Nashville families a tuition-free middle school where students can take on rigorous academics, participate in music, explore extracurricular activities, and develop greater confidence and independence.
KAN is open to Davidson County students. KIPP Nashville has no academic admissions requirements, and attendance is free.
Visit the campus, meet the school community, and get answers to the questions that matter to you. When your family is ready, you can take the next step toward enrollment.