The top reported proficiency rate is 51% in Science. The lowest is 32% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Strive Collegiate Academy
Strive Collegiate Academy is a public charter school serving grades six through eight in Nashville, Tennessee. It sits within the Davidson County school system and operates as a regular school with charter status, meaning it is publicly funded but independently run, typically with a specific mission or instructional approach. The name itself points toward a college-preparatory orientation, and the school draws a diverse student body from across the city.
Academically, Strive Collegiate Academy shows a mixed but in several respects competitive profile when placed alongside other districts in Davidson County. Overall, across the subjects and grades tested, the school’s proficiency rates place it in the top quartile relative to other districts in the county. That comparison set, however, is small, so the positioning carries less weight than it would across a larger pool. Within the school itself, performance varies notably by subject. Science stands as the strongest area, with a majority of students meeting the state’s proficiency standard. Social studies and math are close to that level, though not quite a majority. English language arts is the weakest subject, with a share of students scoring proficient that is markedly lower than in science. A parent considering this school should look into how the school supports literacy and reading comprehension across the curriculum, especially given that ELA is a foundation for all other subjects.
State testing participation was near universal, so the results reflect nearly the entire tested population. No trend data was available, so it is not possible to see whether these scores represent an improvement or decline from prior years. The school’s academic focus is on the middle grades, and there is no high school graduation rate to consider because the school does not serve those grades.
Student enrollment is modest for a middle school, with a total that is small enough to suggest relatively intimate class sizes and a close-knit school community. The student body is racially and ethnically varied: a substantial share of students are Black, a similar share are Hispanic, and a still sizable portion are White, with small numbers of Asian students and students of two or more races. Data on free or reduced-price lunch eligibility, students with disabilities, and English learners were not reported, so a full picture of the school’s economic and support needs is not available from this source. A parent may want to ask the school directly about the range of support services available, especially for students who need extra help.
Strive Collegiate Academy is located on Lebanon Pike in Nashville, a major state capital and the largest city in Tennessee. Nashville is a fast-growing metropolitan area with a diversified economy anchored in healthcare, music, publishing, technology, and automotive industries, as well as state government. The city is spread out, with significant car dependency across most neighborhoods, though downtown has concentrated commercial and entertainment districts. Housing in the area is priced near the national median, and rents are similarly moderate for a large city. Families considering the school should factor in Nashville’s broad geography and the commute from various parts of the metropolitan area.
Because it is a charter school, Strive Collegiate Academy has some autonomy over its curriculum and operations. The district brief found no parent-relevant changes at the school or district level in recent years, meaning any shifts in policy or programming would need to be gathered directly from the school. For a family weighing options, this school offers a smaller middle school setting in a large urban environment, with academic results that are strongest in science and uneven elsewhere. The school’s overall standing relative to other Davidson County districts is favorable, though the comparison group is limited. A parent who values a college-preparatory mission and a diverse student population may find this school worth a close look, particularly if they also investigate how the school addresses literacy and whether supports for various student needs are in place.
See more original research from School Decision →