Nashville School of the Arts

At a Glance

Welcome From the Principal

Welcome to the Nashville School of the Arts, where every student is an artist, scholar and individual. 

Every one of our students is an artist, whether in instrumental or vocal music, visual art, theatre, dance or literary arts. Every one of our students is a scholar, and NSA is rapidly becoming known for its strong academics as well as its stellar arts programs. Every one of our students is also an individual. You feel it from the minute you walk in the door. Six hundred unique young faces, and the best part is the respect and admiration that they carry for each other. 

We invite you to come for a performance or a tour and experience firsthand the artists, scholars and individuals of NSA. 

School Description

The Nashville School of the Arts is a specialty high school serving talented arts students from across the school district. There are nine unique arts conservatories for which students may audition. These include Dance, Music-Choral, Music-Band, Music-Strings, Music-Guitar, Music-Piano, Theatre Arts, Visual Arts and Literary Arts. As artists, they practice and rehearse and edit, honing their craft over their four years in conservatories that immerse them in artistic excellence.

At NSA, we’re about more than just the arts; our school is also becoming known for its strong academics. Our percentage of students participating in Advanced Placement courses is third in the MNPS district, behind the two academic magnets. Our percentage of students passing the AP exams is only a few percentage points behind those academic magnets. And every year our seniors are offered millions of dollars in scholarships to attend not only nationally recognized arts programs, but prestigious institutions where our students train to become musicians, actors, painters, dancers and writers—and also doctors, lawyers, engineers and scientists. 

Our safe, creative atmosphere serves to enhance our school-wide focus on integration of arts and academics, while programs like NSA Presents works to further expand our students’ horizons. This popular program brings in well-known artists (such as Chip Esten and Chris Young) for an Inside the Actors Studio-style Q&A and student performances inspired by that artist’s work

School Hours

8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

A Typical Day at School

• 8:00-8:45 – first period
• 8:50-9:33 – second period
• 9:38-10:21 – third period
• 10:26-11:09 – fourth period
• 11:14-12:36 – fifth period (includes 34 minute lunch)
• 12:41-1:24 – sixth period
• 1:29-2:12 – seventh period
• 2:17-3:00 – eighth period

All student schedules include two arts courses, five additional academic/elective courses, and one study hall. Special daily schedules are utilized to incorporate club times, special assemblies, testing, and conservatory performances.

• Nashville School of the Arts Dress Code Policy

• Certificated Staff and Teacher Email List
• School One Pager
• Drop Off and Pick Up
• Dress Code Policy
• Admissions FAQ
• Dance Audition Information
• Literary Arts Conservatory Audition Information
• Music Conservatory Auditions
• NSA Audition Visual Art
• Theatre Arts Audition Information
• Student-Parent Handbook
• Accessing the ePlan Website
• Supply Lists
• Supply List Translated Glossary
• Online Payment System
• School Calendar
• Dance Conservatory Music Video
• NSA Virtual Tour

• Friends of NSA (FNSA)
  President: Heather Bracey
• Tutoring
• Social and Emotional Learning 
• Anti-bullying training and/or clubs 

Athletics: 

• NSA has a cooperative agreement with MLK for athletics 

Extracurricular activities:

• Anime Club
• Art
• Band
• Book Club
• Chess Club
• Choir 
• Creative Writing
• Dance Club
• Debate/Speech
• Drama
• Foreign Language Clubs 
• Garden Club
• Intramurals
• Intramural Sports 
• Math Club 
• Music Makes Us 
• National Honor Society
• Newspaper
• Outdoor Club
• Photography
• Poetry 
• Recycling
• Science Club
• Student Government Association 
• Video Game Club
• Yearbook

• Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt
• Center for Latin American Studies at Vanderbilt 
• Leadership Music of Nashville
• Belmont University
• Community Spirit
• DART
• PG-13 Players
• Youth Villages
• Oasis Center
• Nashville Shakespeare Festival
• Cheekwood
• Country Music Association
• Frist Center for the Visual Arts
• Metro Arts Commission
• Nashville Alliance
• Nashville Arts Magazine
• Nashville Symphony
• Oz Nashville
• Tennessee Performing Arts Center
• Tennessee Repertory Theater
• The Recording Academy
• Trevecca University 
• Country Music Hall of Fame
• Found Movement Group