Cole Elementary School is a kindergarten through 5th grade school that commits to providing a nurturing and collaborative learning environment by applying a restorative lens to relationships and instruction.
Students and staff are encouraged to communicate their social-emotional needs to problem-solve collaboratively so all individuals feel valued. This approach helps students feel empowered to exceed their potential and reach their learning goals. Cole promotes a culture of belonging and holds high expectations for all students.
“Cole Elementary School is known as a ‘hidden jewel’ in the Antioch community of Nashville. We build upon our diverse student population and pride ourselves in reaching out to the whole student while serving the academic and social-emotional aspects of all students and families,” says Principal Chad Hedgepath. “Our mission statement guides us daily: Cole Elementary School nurtures a collaborative climate of diverse learners that inspires all students and staff to achieve academic growth.” 
Cole is a Community Achieves school, supporting their families and the community to help improve the conditions for learning. They have a food bank, clothing closet, and parent training classes through a Family Resource Center. Community Achieves supports Cole's teachers, students, and families through family engagement, college and career readiness, health and wellness, and social services and adult development.
Facts about Cole
- Diversity is Cole’s strength. Students represent more than 20 countries and speak more than 18 languages.
- Cole is the only elementary school to offer both a coding lab and a keyboarding computer lab.
- They have a robotics lab on campus.
- Cole’s community refrigerators are open to the surrounding community 24/7.
- Cole’s Family Resource Center services include a food pantry, clothing closet, diaper distribution, parent support groups, and referrals to partner agencies. These offerings are available to both Cole families and residents of the community.
- Cole offers Family Academic Nights, monthly Coffee Talk parent workshops, the PTO, and the Impact Team. All schoolwide family meetings and activities are translated into several languages.
- Cole’s Family Engagement initiative offers many opportunities for families to stay actively involved in their children’s school experiences. They focus on building genuine community supports to remove barriers to learning by identifying needs, cultivating relationships, and aligning supports appropriately to ensure the school community thrives.
- The school colors are blue, orange, and white.
- The school was named for Mrs. Grace Cole, a retired teacher from Antioch Elementary School. At one time Cole was the largest MNPS elementary school.
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