MNPS has the right school for every child, whether it’s just around the corner or in another part of the city. Families have the opportunity through the school options process to apply to attend schools outside their designated neighborhood zone from January 21 to February 7.
The district offers a range of educational opportunities, including academic magnet schools, early learning centers, Paideia and Montessori schools, Spanish immersion, STEAM-focused programs, early college pathways and specialized academy programs. The school options process ensures every student can find the best fit for their educational journey.
Explore the Magnet Schools Assistance Program
A choice option is the district’s Magnet Schools Assistance Program schools, also known as MSAP schools. These K to 8 schools offer specialized, theme-based learning environments that foster diversity and innovation.
Supported by multi-million-dollar grants, MSAP schools aim to desegregate and enrich classrooms through dynamic programming. Many MSAP schools serve neighborhood students and are also open to all Davidson County families without academic entrance requirements.
The MSAP Magnet School Fair planned for January 27 has been cancelled.
Why Choose an MSAP School?
Enhanced Learning Environments
Additional funding allows for upgraded spaces like dance studios, podcast spaces and design studios.
Hands-On, Project-Based Learning
Students engage in meaningful, hands-on projects throughout the year, culminating in presentations that showcase their understanding and creativity.
- Example: Alex Green Design Technology Magnet Elementary students developed and presented a peace app after exploring social-emotional learning (SEL) and design programs. A day in the design lab looks like this.
- Impact: In a recent survey, 97% of staff across four MSAP schools reported positive impacts on student engagement.
Real-World Connections
MSAP schools bring learning to life through visits from career experts, immersive field trips and experiential learning opportunities.
- Example: Carter-Lawrence Engineering Magnet Elementary spent an evening at the Adventure Science Center after a project developing space shuttles. Special guest Dr. Eiman Jahangir — MNPS alum, cardiologist and astronaut — led sessions in the planetarium.
Specialized Staff Training
Teachers receive theme-based training to integrate the latest educational tools and methods into their classrooms.
- Tom Joy Elementary, focused on digital literacy and leadership, equips staff with cutting-edge technology training.
Continuous Improvement and Evaluation
- MSAP schools undergo biannual evaluations to ensure excellence and innovation. A third-party evaluator measures their success alongside district standards.
- Data Highlights
- Family Impact: 94% of surveyed families reported a “positive” or “strong positive” impact on school-family connections after five years of the grant.
- Academic Growth: ELA proficiency levels increased by 15 percentage points at Warner Arts Magnet and 14 points at Rosebank STEAM Magnet.
Celebrating Diversity
- MSAP's mission is to create inclusive classrooms that bring together students from varied racial, neighborhood and socioeconomic backgrounds as well as diverse learning abilities. This approach fosters collaborative learning where students thrive together.
- Impact: Studies show that exposure to peers from varied racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds fosters intellectual engagement and cognitive development. For example, a 2016 study by the American Educational Research Association found that classroom diversity correlates with higher academic achievement and better preparation for a global workforce.
Data in this story: The data is from Metro Nashville Public Schools Magnet Schools Assistance Program Grant (2017–2023) Final Evaluation Report by Metis Associates 2024.
