NOVEMBER 2025
Father Ryan Voted Best High School in Nashville!
We are thrilled to have been voted Best High School (Public and Private) and Best Private School by Nashville Scene! Yes, we think our four levels of learning, Catholic-values-based mission, House System, and enduring promise to know and love every student are pretty special. But it’s great to have Nashville think so, too!
Thanks for Coming to Preview Day
Our Competition Cheer team placed 1st at last month’s Bullitt Bash Cheer & Dance Competition?
We offer the most arts courses of any private high school in Middle Tennessee?
Our Marching Band—2nd in Pep Band Division at 2025 Nationals—also serves Nashville? Before Fall Break, band members performed at the Windlands South Living Community for delighted seniors. Join Us for Fall Events!
We loved hosting more than 150 Junior Irish families at our Preview Day on October 26. It was a great day of learning about Father Ryan, from classes, a student House System panel, a show-stopping Performing Arts Showcase, and more.
Morning Coffee with Father Ryan
You have questions. We have answers! (And coffee and pastries.) Parents of students in grades 4-8, join us Thursday, November 6, from 9:30-10:30am in the Neuhoff Library. After a brief update by President Paul Davis ’81, parents may ask questions of our Senior Leadership Team on any topic: tuition assistance, four levels of learning and academic programs, strategic plan initiatives, and more.
Register Here
Father Ryan in Portugal
During Fall Break, 19 students, ranging from freshmen to seniors, traveled with three faculty and staff members to Lisbon and Porto, Portugal, for a
You belong at Father Ryan! Join us for an event this fall.
Morning Coffee with Father Ryan
Thursday, November 6, 2025 9:30-10:30am Neuhoff Library
Overview by President Paul Davis ’81 followed by parent questions of our Senior Leadership Team.
Register by November 5 at 9:30am.
Register Here
Relay for Life
Saturday, November 8 12:00-8:00pm Father Ryan Campus
Be part of the country’s largest student-led Relay For Life and help us raise money for the fight against cancer.
Learn More Fall Play
cultural immersion Study Abroad trip—one of Father Ryan’s annual Study Abroad trips.
Throughout the week, the group experienced various aspects of Portuguese culture firsthand. They visited an azulejos tile workshop where students created their own ceramic tiles, explored the Jerónimos Monastery, the Tower of Belém, and the Monument to the Discoveries.
The trip also included a day at the beach, an English-speaking Mass at a church in the heart of Lisbon’s city center, and a performance of traditional music known as “fado.”
Additionally, the group took excursions to Sintra and Cascais, climbed the Torre dos Clérigos, participated in group Bible studies, and enjoyed traditional Portuguese cuisine during group dinners.
Students gained confidence and real-world skills as they learned to navigate a country where English is not the primary language, fostering an appreciation and respect for different cultures.
National Honor Society Inductees
Congratulations to the 78 inductees into the National Honor Society. These students embrace the NHS membership requirements: a minimum 93.0 cumulative weighted GPA; lead in at least one extracurricular activity; are involved in two or more school/community clubs; and participate in at least two service projects/organizations.
What do Parents and Students Think About Personalized Learning at Father Ryan?
November 12-14
Father Ryan Center for the Arts
Purple Masque Players present The Stories We Tell, traditional fairy tales with a modern twist in two one-acts; Bedtime Stories (as told by our father) (who messed them up) and Trial of the Wicked Witch.
Get Tickets
Christmas at Father Ryan
December 9-10
The entire family is invited to enjoy holiday performances by our award-winning dancers, band, choir, and Purple Masque Players.
Breakfast with Santa
December 13
The Father Ryan Alumni Association invites all Junior Irish members and their families for a holiday-filled morning at Father Ryan! Enjoy breakfast, photos with Santa, arts and crafts, story time, and
We are the only high school in the region to offer four levels of learning to create a customized learning experience. For this month’s Irish Insights blog post, we talked with two senior families for their perspectives on how our academic approach has shaped their intellectual, personal, and spiritual development.
Read the Blog
The Arts at Father Ryan
Our visual and performing arts courses and programs offer endless creative expression. Our 35 arts courses are the most of any private high school in Middle Tennessee. Father Ryan dancers, musicians, and visual artists regularly earn top placements in regional and national competitions.
On October 24, 18 Junior Irish musicians performed with our band at our final home football game for Junior Irish Band Night. It was a great night!
We are equally proud of our talented arts educators. Visual arts teacher and painter, Mrs. Jessica Lewis, is one of 60 artists featured in the Customs
performances by our Father Ryan Singers.
Schedule a Personal Visit to Father Ryan
We’d love to welcome you for a campus tour! Click here to choose from our regular tour times, or email Erin Riggs at riggse@fatherryan.org if another time works better for you. Mark Your
11/11/25, 1:11 PM
House Museum & Cultural Center's exhibit, "Portrait Society of America: The Tennesseans" at Kimbrough Gallery from today through December 31.
On November 12-14, enjoy the Purple Masque Players—Father Ryan’s drama group since 1974—perform The Stories We Tell and bring your favorite fairy tale characters to life.
Get Tickets
Claire Hinson ’27 has been performing since her freshman year in our fall play, spring musical, and as part of Mosaic, our audition-only show choir. Meet Claire and visit fatherryan.org/arts to explore our array of creative offerings.
Join Camp Ryan for our Fall Speed & Agility Clinics with Father Ryan’s Head Soccer Coach Christakis Agisilaou, a former Division II All-American and professional soccer player. For ALL SPORTS and ALL AGES, this
dynamic training series focuses on speed, agility, balance, and coordination, combining proven movement techniques with strength and conditioning principles to enhance overall athletic performance.
Mondays, 7:00-8:00pm
November 3, 10, & 17
December 1, 8, & 15
January 5 & 12
Visit fatherryan.org/camps to learn more and register.
Visit our Junior Irish webpage to learn more about how you can get your child involved with Father Ryan today!
Junior Irish Webpage
Erin (Baltz) Riggs '00 Director of Enrollment
Peyton (Carell) Fuller'13
Assoc. Director of Enrollment
Ben Spence Assoc. Director of Enrollment
Erin (Corrigan) Vallett '95 Enrollment Registrar