2024
The school year and our fall events are in full swing. Our students are busy with classes, sports, the arts, clubs, and service projects. We are busy hosting Junior Irish from across Nashville with school Visit Days, personal tours, and Junior Irish events—and gearing up for Preview Day.
Celebrating 100 Years of Father Ryan
DYK Father Ryan Awarded $1.8M in Tuition Assistance for 2024-2025?
Improving access to high-quality Catholic education is a key strategic objective for Father Ryan. Our robust tuition assistance program is the foundation of our efforts. For this current school year, 25% of Father Ryan families received some level of tuition assistance. For more information about the application process and deadlines, contact our Tuition Assistance Coordinator Kristi Allen at allenk@fatherryan.org.
Join us for upcoming events!
Register below for these Junior Irish events. Go to fatherryan.org/admissions to schedule a personal admissions visit.
On September 14, we kicked off our celebration of 100 Years of Father Ryan with 1,000-plus Irish community members. This special day included a Community Mass with Bishop Spalding, the unveiling of the new Father Ryan Hymn, the 100th edition of The Moina, live music performances by alumni and current students, archival displays, food trucks, and more.
Special thanks to Nashville dignitaries—Mayor of Nashville Freddie O'Connell, State Sen. Jeff Yarbro, Metro Council Member Jeff Preptit, and Oak Hill Mayor Dale Grimes—who declared September 14 “Father Ryan Day.”
Enjoy the video of our celebration for the history books!
Four Father Ryan Seniors Named National Merit Scholars
Congratulations to Finn Saivar ’25, Semi-Finalist, and Commended Scholars Ethan Baker ’25, Jack Keenan ’25, and Ellie Maxwell ’25, who have been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation based on their performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
Junior Irish Night Moved to October 25
Due to potential inclement weather, we moved Junior Irish Night and Father Ryan Homecoming from September 27 to October 25. All the fun and festivities of Junior Irish Night, PLUS the last Father Ryan home football game vs. Christian Brothers!
Make it a Father Ryan Weekend with Preview Day on Sunday, October 27.
Register for Junior Irish Night
NOTE: All swag bags have been claimed. You must be present to receive your swag bag.
If you registered for the September 27 night, you do not need to re-register.
Schedule for Friday, October
25
Half Day of Classes for Father Ryan students with House Games and Pep Rally
Junior Irish Night Carnival, 5:00pm
Football vs. Christian Brothers 7:00pm
Wear your purple!
View All Homecoming Activities
“Only a small percentage of students nationwide are recognized by National Merit each year, further evidence of the academic strength of Father Ryan,” said Principal Francisco M. Espinosa, Jr., in making the announcement. “We are proud of these students for these achievements, and we are even prouder of the character they exhibit every day.”
Read more about our National Merit Scholars.
Register for Preview Day, October 27!
Experience Father Ryan at Preview Day! Tour the campus, attend classes, meet our community, attend our Activities and Clubs Fair, and a lot more. Registration is required. Please register before Oct. 23.
Perform with Irish Pride (Dance & Choir) Rescheduled for Basketball Season- Stay Tuned!
Preview Day
Sunday, October 27, 12:30–4:00pm
Experience Father Ryan with tours, classes, a club and activities fair, and more. Meet students, parents, educators, and alumni and learn how we customize your learning and discover our unique House System.
Register
How can you make the most out of attending our Preview Day (or any school visit this fall)? Erin Riggs ’00, our Director of Enrollment, shares her great advice on school visits.
Ask Questions at Preview Day. If you have questions or need more information about the school, don’t hesitate to meet with the faculty and staff associated with that program to get the answers you need. Your questions are key to finding the best school match for your child.
As Director of Enrollment, I am often asked, “How does Father Ryan make their admissions decisions?” We take a thorough approach to reviewing each application, considering academics, teacher recommendations, and the individual as a whole. As the largest private school in Nashville, we are able to offer acceptance to many students interested in a Father Ryan education. As a Catholic institution, it is our mission, and the mission of the church, to provide a Catholic education to all who seek it.
Open Visit Day
October 30, 8:15am-1:45pm
Our Open Visit Day is offered for any current eighth grade student who does not visit Father Ryan with their current school. Please join us on campus for an opportunity to experience a day in the life of a Father Ryan student.
We accept students who are at the top of their class academically and students of all talents and abilities who excel in athletics, arts, service, and other areas. We provide every student with a rigorous and supportive academic environment because we value the whole child.
For more of Erin’s expert advice on approaching school visits, read her post on our Father Ryan blog, Irish Insights.
Read Erin's Blog
Irish Insights: The Father Ryan Blog October's Topic: College Admissions Today
The college admissions process has changed a lot since the pandemic, and last year was no exception! To help parents make sense of it, we talked with Christina Williams, Father Ryan’s Director of College Counseling for the past decade and a former Vanderbilt admissions officer. In our newest blog post, she explains what you need to know to find (and afford) the right college for your child—and how Father Ryan customizes this complex process.
Relay for Life
November 2, 12:00pm
Join us for the world’s largest student-led Relay For Life to support the fight against cancer. In 2019, the American Cancer Society awarded Father Ryan with the firstever Pat Flynn Spirit of Relay Award for our commitment to the cause since 2010.
Fall Play
Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” November 7-9
Join the Purple Masque Players for three nights of performances! Get tickets below.
Get Tickets
Celebrating 100 Years of Faith
Throughout our two-year 100th celebration, 100 Masses will be said
Read Christina's Blog
in Father Ryan's honor at a variety of locations, including Father Ryan's campus and many parishes of the Diocese of Nashville. All Mass attendees are encouraged to wear purple in honor of Father Ryan.
View 100 Masses Schedule
Save the Date:
Christmas at Father RyanDecember 10-11
Breakfast with SantaDecember 14
Visit our Junior Irish webpage to learn more about how you can get your child involved with Father Ryan today!
Erin (Baltz) Riggs '00 Director of Enrollment
Peyton (Carell) Fuller '13 Assoc. Director of Enrollment
Spence Assoc. Director of Enrollment
Erin (Corrigan) Vallett '95 Enrollment Registrar