Application Period
Complete your application during the designated application period to be considered in the lottery process.
The application only takes a few minutes and can be completed online.
Eligibility, Dates & Required Documents
Applying to a new school comes with important details to keep track of. Knowing who can apply, when enrollment decisions happen, and which documents you’ll need can make the process easier.
KIPP Nashville offers tuition-free public charter schools for students in grades K–12 across East, North, and South Nashville. KIPP Nashville is open to students who live in Davidson County, with no academic admissions requirements and no cost to apply or attend.
Applications are currently available for the 2026–27 school year.
Who Is Eligible to Attend KIPP Nashville?
KIPP Nashville schools are open to Davidson County residents in grades K–12. Students do not need specific grades, test scores, or academic qualifications to apply.
There is:
- No tuition
- No application fee
- No academic entry requirement
When there are more eligible applicants than available seats, KIPP Nashville uses a random lottery process to determine enrollment.
KIPP Nashville also serves students with a range of educational needs, including students with special needs, gifted students, and English Language Learners. Families who have questions about specific services are encouraged to contact the school they’re considering.
Kindergarten Eligibility
If you’re enrolling a student in kindergarten, age is an important part of eligibility.
Students must generally be 5 years old on or before August 15 to enter kindergarten. If your student turns 5 between August 16 and September 30, you may request that the school administer a Brigance K-Readiness Assessment.
Families registering a new kindergarten student—or another student who is new to Metro Nashville Public Schools—also need to obtain a nine-digit MNPS student ID number beginning with 190.
You can obtain this number at an MNPS enrollment center by presenting:
- Your student’s birth certificate
- Parent or guardian proof of residency
- A copy of the parent or guardian’s driver’s license
Important Enrollment Dates
KIPP Nashville is currently enrolling students for the 2026–27 school year.
The current enrollment resources explain that KIPP Nashville conducts its random lottery selection process in February, with families receiving acceptance or waitlist notifications in March through the Smart Choice portal. Schools also notify families by phone and letter.
Because specific deadlines can change from one enrollment cycle to another, families should check current enrollment communications for exact dates.
February: Lottery
If applications exceed available seats, KIPP Nashville conducts a random lottery selection process in February.
March: Results
Families are notified in March whether their student has received a seat or has been placed on a waitlist. Results are available through the Smart Choice portal, and schools also contact families.
After Receiving an Offer
If your student receives a seat, you’ll need to accept the offer through Smart Choice and then complete registration.
Summer: Orientation
Each KIPP Nashville school holds orientation during the summer and shares information families need to prepare for the upcoming school year.
- View the Enrollment Process
What if I Miss the Application Deadline?
You can still submit an application.
Applications received after the deadline are automatically placed on the waiting list. KIPP Nashville encourages families to maintain their place on the waitlist because schools may continue accepting students from the list throughout the summer and into the first few weeks of the new school year.
If you’re interested in KIPP Nashville but believe you’ve missed an enrollment deadline, submit an application rather than assuming it’s too late.
You don’t need to gather every registration document before submitting your initial application.
The full documentation step comes after your student has been offered a seat and you’ve accepted it. At that point, you’ll complete registration and provide the required records.
For students in grades K–12, families should prepare:
- Completed student registration packet
- Record of birth, such as a birth certificate, passport, visa, or I-94
- Immunization or vaccination record on a Tennessee Certificate of Immunization
- Parent or guardian photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, or military ID
- Proof of residency, such as a current lease, mortgage statement, or utility bill
- Recent transcript or report card, if available
- School physical, required only for students new to Davidson County
Having these documents ready can make registration easier once your student receives an offer.
Because KIPP Nashville enrollment is open to Davidson County residents, families need to provide documentation showing where their student lives.
Examples of acceptable proof listed by KIPP Nashville include a:
- Current lease
- Mortgage statement
- Utility bill
If the address on the parent or guardian’s ID does not match the student’s residence, the parent or guardian should provide two proofs of residency.
If you don’t have proof of address in your name, contact the KIPP Nashville Enrollment Team for assistance rather than assuming your student cannot enroll.
Enrollment Team: enroll@kippnashville.org
Families need to provide a record of the student’s birth during registration.
KIPP Nashville lists several examples, including:
- Birth certificate
- Passport
- Visa
- I-94
The student’s parent or guardian also needs to provide photo identification, such as a driver’s license, passport, or military ID.
If you don’t have legal documentation of guardianship, KIPP Nashville asks families to contact the Enrollment Team for assistance.
Students registering at KIPP Nashville need an immunization or vaccination record documented on a Tennessee Certificate of Immunization.
KIPP Nashville’s Student & Family Handbook states that students entering public school for the first time must provide proof of a complete physical examination and that required immunizations must be documented on the official Tennessee certificate, subject to applicable exemptions.
For enrollment registration, KIPP Nashville specifically identifies a school physical as required for students who are new to Davidson County.
Families with questions about health documentation should contact their school or the Enrollment Team for current requirements.
KIPP Nashville lists a recent transcript or report card as optional among its registration documents.
There is no academic entry requirement to attend a KIPP Nashville school. Students aren’t recruited or admitted based on academic ability or performance.
If you have your student’s recent academic records available, including them can help provide the school with information about their educational history.
What Happens if There Are More Applicants Than Seats?
KIPP Nashville uses a random lottery process when applications exceed the number of seats available.
The lottery takes place in February, and families receive results in March. Your student will either receive an offer or be placed on a waitlist.
If your student receives an offer, you’ll need to:
Accept the seat through Smart Choice.
Complete your student's registration.
Submit the required documents.
Participate in summer orientation.
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If your student already attends KIPP Nashville and plans to return to the same school, you don’t need to submit a new application.
A new application is required when a student is switching KIPP Nashville schools. This includes transitions from elementary to middle school and middle to high school.
Because KIPP Nashville offers schools across the K–12 journey, families approaching a transition should explore their options and complete the application process for the next school they’re considering.
Choosing a School for 2026–27
KIPP Nashville currently has 10 schools across East, North, and South Nashville. School options include:
Elementary School
KIPP Nashville College Prep Elementary — K–4
KIPP Kirkpatrick Elementary — K–4
KIPP Antioch College Prep Elementary — K–4
KIPP Antioch Global Elementary — K–3Middle School
KIPP Nashville College Prep Middle — 5–8
KIPP Academy Nashville — 5–8
KIPP Antioch College Prep Middle — 5–8
KIPP Antioch Global Middle — 5–8High School
KIPP Nashville Collegiate High — 9–12
KIPP Antioch Global High — 9–12
Families can compare schools by grade level and location before beginning an application.
Your Enrollment Checklist
Before applying:
Confirm your student is a Davidson County resident.
Find the KIPP Nashville school serving your student’s grade.
Schedule a tour if you’d like to visit before applying.
Create your enrollment account and submit an application.
After receiving a seat:
Accept your student’s offer.
Complete the registration packet.
Gather your student’s record of birth.
Gather immunization documentation.
Provide parent or guardian photo ID.
Provide proof of residency.
Include a recent transcript or report card if available.
Provide a school physical if your student is new to Davidson County.
Attend your school’s summer orientation.
Questions About Eligibility or Documents?
Every family’s situation is different. If you’re missing a document, have questions about guardianship or residency, or aren’t sure what you need to complete registration, contact KIPP Nashville before assuming you can’t enroll.
The Enrollment Team can help families understand the requirements and determine their next steps.
Email: enroll@kippnashville.org
KIPP Nashville also provides enrollment tutorials in English and Spanish covering account creation, applications, lottery results, and completing enrollment.
Get Ready for the 2026–27 School Year
A little preparation can make enrollment easier.
Start by confirming your student’s eligibility and finding the KIPP Nashville school that fits their grade level. Submit your application, watch for enrollment communications, and have your registration documents ready if your student receives a seat.
KIPP Nashville’s Enrollment Team is available to help if questions come up along the way.