The top reported proficiency rate is 43% in Science. The lowest is 28% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Tennessee Nature Academy
Tennessee Nature Academy is a public charter school in Nashville that serves only fifth and sixth grade. It operates as part of the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission, a district that has grown rapidly since taking over charter school authorizing in 2021. The commission now authorizes over a dozen schools across multiple counties, and Tennessee Nature Academy is one of the newer additions to its portfolio.
The school is located in a residential area of Nashville, a large and fast-growing city that serves as the state capital and a major economic center. Nashville’s economy is anchored by healthcare, music, publishing, and technology, and its population growth has been among the fastest in the country. Housing values in the school’s zip code are above the national average, and rents have seen a modest decline recently, but the overall housing market remains expensive relative to much of the country. The city’s built environment is sprawling and car-dependent, with concentrated commercial districts downtown and university campuses spread throughout.
Tennessee Nature Academy is a small school, with an enrollment that is small for its two-grade span. Its student body is diverse. Hispanic students make up the largest share, followed by white students, with smaller populations of students who identify as two or more races, Black students, and Asian students. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, receive special education services, or are English learners was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about its support structures for these groups.
The school’s academic performance on the state’s TNReady assessments presents a mixed picture. In math, about a quarter of students scored at the proficient level or above, with nearly all students participating in the test. In English language arts, roughly a third of students reached proficiency. Science performance was higher, with over two in five students scoring proficient or above, while social studies came in at about a third. When these results are combined into an overall proficiency index, the school lands in the top quartile relative to other districts in Davidson County. That is a strong position within the county, though it is worth noting that the district comparison set is small.
Because the school only serves fifth and sixth grade, there is no graduation rate to report. That is not a weakness of the school; it simply does not serve the grades where that measure applies. The same is true for chronic absenteeism data, which was not available.
The school’s charter status means it is publicly funded but operates with some independence from the local district. For families considering Tennessee Nature Academy, the key question is whether the small, two-grade structure and the school’s academic profile match their child’s needs. The school offers a clear academic starting point in the middle grades, but a parent who wants to see high school outcomes or a full K-12 trajectory will need to look ahead to where students typically go after sixth grade. The state testing data shows room for growth in math and English language arts, while science is a relative bright spot. A parent may want to ask the school about its approach to math and reading instruction and how it supports students who are not yet at grade level.
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