MNPS District Update
October 2026
Record 86.4% graduation rate marks nearly 18 percentage points of improvement since 2006
Nashville Public Schools achieved its highest graduation rate in district history in 2026, with 86.4% of students in the graduation cohort earning diplomas.
The new record surpasses the previous high of 85.7% in 2024 and represents a 2.8-percentage-point increase over 2025. The district has now recorded its three highest graduation rates in three consecutive years, up from 68.8% in 2006.
“We are continuing to make history in Nashville Public Schools, and this record graduation rate is another powerful example of what our students, educators and families can accomplish together,” said Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle.
Several schools saw significant gains, including Glencliff High School, which improved 19.3 percentage points to 80.8%, and Maplewood High School, which improved 17.1 points to 88.3%.
The achievement builds on four consecutive years of Level 5 academic growth, Tennessee’s highest designation, and historic gains in student proficiency.
East Tennessee State University is the newest higher education partner to expand college access and affordability for eligible MNPS graduates through the University MNPS initiative, offering scholarship support and dedicated student success resources to help students thrive in college and reach their graduation goals.
The ETSU EXCEL Scholarship will be available to graduates from the district’s 12 zoned high schools who qualify for Tennessee’s HOPE Scholarship with at least a 3.0 GPA or a 21 on the ACT and also qualify for the maximum federal Pell Grant. Along with covering any remaining tuition and program service fees, ETSU will provide a $1,500 housing scholarship each year for four years to help cover the cost of on-campus housing and meal plans.
ETSU representatives, including President Dr. Brian Noland, joined MNPS leadership and Mayor Freddie O'Connell to announce the partnership at an event in Nashville Oct. 21.
Noland and ETSU admissions staff also visited John Overton High School earlier that day to see its Academies of Nashville programs in action and hear from students about their academic and work experiences and ambitions. Noland encouraged them to follow their passion and keep their college options open.
University MNPS is a collaborative effort between MNPS and Nashville and Tennessee's renowned educational institutions that offers scholarship opportunities and on-campus supports for qualified high school seniors attending MNPS zoned high schools. Students and families can learn more about University MNPS scholarship opportunities on our website.
The CMA Foundation hosted its 10th year of celebrating the nation’s top music educators at its annual Music Teachers of Excellence ceremony held Oct. 7 at The Pinnacle in Nashville. The evening included a special message from Dolly Parton, recorded prior to her passing, as well as musical performances and special guests speaking to the impact of music education on their lives and careers.
This year’s honorees recognized excellence in music education from 12 states, including five teachers from Nashville's Public Schools. They are Cane Ridge High School's Johnny Croft, McMurray Middle's Elmer Feliciano, James Lawson High School's Sherie Grossman, Hume-Fogg High School's Allen Kennedy, and DuPont Hadley Middle's Nathaniel O'Neal.
Read more about this award and the event
Photo credit: John Russell/CMA
Students learn in two languages at new magnet schools
Amy Grant encourages music students
Amy Grant started writing songs when she was a teenager in the 1970s. As she prepared to hear the creations of a few Hunters Lane High students who are teenagers now, she encouraged them to keep capturing what they see and feel.
Once a Colt, always a Colt!
Glencliff alums return as staff to the school that means so much to them. The alums represent multiple generations and have known each other as friends, as classmates, and even as teacher and student.
Gateway and Madison earn IB accreditation
Two MNPS schools recently were authorized to begin offering the International Baccalaureate academic curriculum to all students.
Gateway Elementary and Madison Middle have both been accepted into the IB family, joining 10 other district schools. The IB curriculum, established in Switzerland nearly 60 years ago, emphasizes academic rigor and personal development through the cultivation of students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Students who move from Gateway to Goodlettsville Middle School and then Hunters Lane High School will be able to participate in the IB curriculum throughout their MNPS educational journey. The IB curriculum is also available at Antioch, East Nashville and Hillsboro high schools; East Nashville, Goodlettsville, J.T. Moore, and West End middle schools; and Eakin and Julia Green elementary schools.
To learn more about the International Baccalaureate program, visit www.ibo.org.
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CTE students explore construction careers at 'I Built This' event
More than 200 MNPS high school Career and Technical Education students explored careers in the construction industry during the “I Built This!” event on Monday, Oct. 19, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.
The hands-on career exploration event, held in partnership with the International Code Council, allowed students to learn about the construction industry by trying their hands at a variety of skilled trades.
Students rotated through interactive activity stations featuring plumbing, welding, drywall installation, painting, and other construction-related skills.
The event is part of ConstructReach's nationwide effort to connect students with hands-on learning experiences and introduce them to sustainable careers in construction.
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Overton cluster wildlife research program earns achievement award
The Wildlife Research Scholars program, a partnership between MNPS and the Nashville Zoo, has been recognized by The Association of Zoos and Aquariums for connecting students in the John Overton High School cluster to real-world, hands-on experiences with science and conservation.
The partnership received a Significant Achievement in Education honor at the association's annual conference. Through the program, students return to the zoo year after year as they develop their understanding of animals, ecosystems, and the part they can play in protecting wildlife.
"Our students gain access to hands-on STEM education and career-connected learning opportunities that simply cannot be replicated in a traditional classroom setting,” Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle said. “We are proud to grow alongside the Nashville Zoo and grateful for their deep commitment to our students and our district.”
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Overton flag football team wins state title
Congratulations to John Overton High School Unified Flag Football Team on winning the 2026 Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Unified Flag Football State Championship title.
The McGavock High School Unified Flag Football Team also had an impressive showing, finishing as the state runner-up in the tournament.
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USA, Australia rugby teams visit Fall-Hamilton
USA Rugby players joined Fall-Hamilton Elementary School's P.E. class Oct. 22. After an earlier visit from the Australian national team, these students now have knowledge of basic rugby drills.
The teams were in town to compete Oct. 24 in an international doubleheader at nearby GEODIS Park.
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Conexión Américas honors four MNPS students during Hispanic Heritage Month
Four Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) students were honored during Conexión Américas’ Hispanic Heritage Awards Ceremony on Oct. 2 at Casa Azafrán in recognition of their creativity, leadership, and vision for positive change. The ceremony brought together students, families, community leaders, and local partners to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15) and honor individuals and organizations making a difference across Middle Tennessee.
The four students recognized were:
● Jesús Gonzalez, The Academy at Opry Mills — Grand Prize Winner
● Allison Mabel Gomez Alvarado, Glencliff High School — Finalist
● Joanna Balcazar Domínguez, John Overton High School — Finalist
● Mariela Elizabeth Villatoro Cisneros, Glencliff High School — Finalist
Nashville Soccer Club defender Thomas Williams joined the ceremony to present awards to the four students. The contest was made possible through the support of Ingram Charities and Nashville Soccer Club.
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