FRANKLIN ROAD ACADEMY
A Journey Like No Other
Start strong, grow bold, lead confidently
Welcome to Franklin Road Academy, where every child is known, valued, and inspired to thrive. Nestled on a beautiful, 62-acre campus just minutes from downtown Nashville, FRA is more than a school; it’s a vibrant community that feels like home.
From the joyous curiosity of our youngest learners to the bold aspirations of our high school students, we nurture minds and hearts across every grade, pre-K through 12. Our mission goes beyond academics; we guide students in discovering their purpose, deepening their faith, and preparing to lead with integrity and compassion in college and in life.
With one campus and one shared mission, we are able to thoughtfully connect every stage of learning, from pre-K through 12th grade. Our passionate teachers know and celebrate each child, creating a joyful, dynamic environment where students are inspired to explore, grow, and thrive.
Lower School
Where curiosity is celebrated, creativity is nurtured, and faith is woven into every moment.
From the earliest days in pre-K3 through the end of fourth grade, Franklin Road Academy’s lower school is a place where young learners begin their journey with wonder, purpose, and a deep sense of belonging.
We take a whole-child approach to learning, one that honors different learning styles, meets students where they are developmentally, and encourages them to grow with confidence. Classrooms are intentionally structured to support academic, social, and emotional development, planting the seeds for a lifetime of discovery.
Each day is filled with opportunities to ask big questions, find new passions, and build essential skills. Our teachers foster curiosity, confidence, and character, helping students grow into thoughtful learners, kind classmates, and courageous leaders.
Beyond core academics, FRA students benefit from a rich array of weekly enrichment classes that include STEM, visual and performing arts, Spanish, digital media, and library literacy. These programs encourage critical thinking, collaboration, and self-expression, while also fostering a sense of joy and exploration.
Middle School
Grades 5-8
Where students begin to find their voice, develop empathy, and ignite a lifelong love of learning.
Our fifth through eighth grade program is thoughtfully designed to be a time of growth, discovery, and transformation. Students build skills in English, math, science, social studies, and physical education, guided by dedicated teachers who know and support each learner.
In addition to these core academic courses, our students enjoy a unique, vibrant enrichment program that includes Bible, world languages (Spanish, Latin, and French), entrepreneurial leadership, coding and AI, innovation, leadership, and a full range of visual and performing arts.
Every student is part of a small advisory group led by a faculty member. Advisors help students grow self-awareness, set goals, and develop strong self-advocacy skills. These gatherings create space for meaningful connection, reflection, and encouragement. More than a program, advisory is a foundation for belonging.
Grades 9-12
Where students are challenged, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.
Upper school students are empowered to chart their own path, one that reflects their passions, college goals, and future ambitions. With a flexible curriculum rooted in strong academics and enriched by meaningful electives, AP courses, and co-curricular opportunities, students are challenged to grow not just as learners but as leaders. Here, they gain the confidence and skills to thrive in college and beyond—academically, socially, and spiritually.
Our dedicated college counselors build strong relationships with students and families, offering guidance, encouragement, and expert support, from discovering right-fit schools and refining essays to celebrating each acceptance. With a 100% college acceptance rate, our graduates leave FRA not only prepared for the nation’s top colleges, but also ready to thrive once they get there.
At FRA, preparing for college isn’t just a process; it’s a personal, purpose-driven path shaped by each student’s unique interests, strengths, and dreams.
FRA students are inspired and supported to discover and pursue their artistic passions.
The arts are woven into every stage of the student experience—from joyful discovery in the lower school to refined creative expression in the upper school. We believe the arts are essential to a well-rounded education, offering students a space to explore their creativity, develop their voice, and share their God-given talents with confidence.
FRA offers a robust selection of programs including visual arts, theater, dance, chorus, and band. Lower school students engage in weekly enrichment in music, movement, and visual art, while older students choose from electives and co-curriculars that deepen their skills and prepare them for advanced opportunities. Through these experiences, students cultivate a lifelong love for the arts and discover the power of creative expression.
More Than a Team. A Place to Grow.
Athletics play a meaningful role in shaping students both on and off the field. Through sports, students learn to lead with integrity, persevere through challenges, and support one another with humility and heart. Coaches serve as mentors, guiding student-athletes to grow in confidence, resilience, and respect while helping them discover the strength of character that comes from doing hard things well.
FRA offers 17 sports and fields 79 teams across grades 5 through 12, with athletic opportunities beginning in lower school. From early skill-building to high-level competition, students are supported in their development through expert coaching, wellness initiatives, and performance programs. Our facilities are designed to help athletes thrive, and our community celebrates effort, teamwork, and growth at every level of play.
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Spiritual Service Life
All of our students are encouraged to grow spiritually and see the needs of others.
Our inclusive Christian community is foundational to the FRA mission, and spiritual life is woven into each student’s journey. In classrooms, on the field, and throughout daily life, our goal is to create environments, foster relationships, and build meaningful experiences so that our students can grow in their faith.
Through chapel, devotions, Bible studies, retreats, mission trips, and service opportunities, we want our students to know they are loved by Jesus. We seek to create a community where our students see and respond to the needs of others on our campus, in our city, and across the world.
Guided by our faculty and staff, we mentor our students as they explore their faith, ask meaningful questions, grow in their understanding of God, and are equipped to impact the world around them.
Student Life
Finding joy in the journey and building lifelong memories.
Student life at FRA is about more than just outstanding academics. Through chapel services, leadership opportunities, service projects, athletics, or the arts, our students are challenged to engage with purpose and integrity. They work hard, but they have fun while doing it, as they find joy in the journey and grow together.
Pep rallies, student socials, grade level retreats, student council, the middle school Fun Day, the upper school A/O House System and competitions, clubs and enrichments, and the FRAternity—our spirited student section—offer opportunities to foster belonging and togetherness. Friendships flourish, values are shaped, and lifelong memories are made within an authentic and inclusive community.
Robotics and Innovation Labs
Franklin Road Academy’s Robotics and Innovation Labs inspire creativity and prepare students for a tech-driven future. From early coding and digital storytelling in lower school to advanced robotics, AI, and biotechnology in upper school, students engage in hands-on learning that connects academics with real-world tools and experiences.
These labs foster a mindset of innovation and entrepreneurship. Whether designing vinyl decals or engineering robotic solutions, students are encouraged to think boldly and solve problems creatively. The program’s focus on experiential learning builds confidence and vision, equipping students for success in rapidly evolving fields.
Digital Media
Rooted in broadcast journalism, our digital media program invites students to dive into the fast-paced world of content creation. Whether filming, editing, reporting, or producing, students learn to tell compelling stories across platforms, building technical skills and a strong creative voice.
Our broadcast journalism program transforms curiosity into storytelling power. What began as a dream is now a dynamic hub where students master every facet of production: researching, writing, filming, editing, and delivering compelling news segments that capture life on campus. From livestreaming events to producing weekly podcasts, students gain real-world media experience using state-of-the-art technology in a professional-grade studio environment.
Entrepreneurial Leadership
Our entrepreneurship program inspires students to think creatively, solve real-world problems, and bring their ideas to life. Starting with ideation, students learn how to develop innovative business concepts, launch real products, and even form their own LLCs. With hands-on experiences and guidance from mentors, they gain essential skills in leadership, collaboration, and critical thinking, no matter where they begin.
Entrepreneurship is woven throughout all divisions. Lower school students host business expos and explore concepts like restaurant operations, while middle and upper school students engage in deeper career exploration and run real ventures. It is a thoughtfully designed journey that grows with students as they advance through each phase of their educational experience.
Interim
From the earliest grades, Interim encourages students to dream big. Whether designing jewelry, crafting wooden projects, exploring nature, experimenting with science, or diving into music and art, students work in mixed-age groups that promote teamwork, leadership, and friendship through classes as unique as they are.
As students move into middle and upper school, Interim grows into bigger adventures like traveling to historic cities, facing outdoor challenges, serving on mission trips, shadowing professionals, and exploring specialized studies. While hiking in Alaska, discovering Washington, D.C., or uncovering Nashville’s hidden gems, students build confidence, broaden their perspectives, and create lasting memories.
Heart 2 Heart And THRIVE
The Heart 2 Heart Program provides a challenging educational experience for students with Down syndrome in an inclusive, integrated Christian community, with an unwavering commitment to developing the full academic and social potential of each student. We foster understanding, acceptance, and love for all diverse learners within our community so that all students feel safe, empowered, and respected.
THRIVE is a postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities ages 18-21. It is designed to empower young adults to further develop their independence and prepare for entering the workforce or attending a college program. The program is developed and led by an occupational therapist, ensuring a holistic approach that addresses each student’s unique needs.
The Turner Fellowship
Sponsored by the Cal Turner Family Foundation, the Turner Fellows program at Franklin Road Academy empowers rising seniors to turn compassion into meaningful action. Selected through a highly competitive process, Fellows exemplify integrity, balance, and a strong commitment to service.
Each Fellow partners with a Nashville nonprofit for a six-week paid internship, gaining real-world experience while making a lasting impact. Fellows are also eligible for a Turner Scholarship to the college of their choice, and each partner organization receives a financial gift in their honor.
The Turner Fellowship is more than an internship. It’s a transformative opportunity to lead, serve, and carry forward values that change the world.
Prepared to Lead Lives of Impact
The Profile of an FRA Graduate begins with the end in mind, defining the attributes we hope to instill in every student by the time they leave our campus. Our graduates are the strongest reflection of what an FRA education is all about: purposeful, well-rounded, and prepared to lead lives of impact. This clear, focused profile shapes our instructional approach and programmatic choices, guiding us toward practices that support meaningful growth. It also serves as a powerful way to highlight the distinctive elements of the FRA experience.
Every FRA student has a place and a voice. With our intentionally close-knit community, students are encouraged to lead, explore their passions, and be fully themselves. Here, you don’t have to choose. You can be an artist, an athlete, and a leader all at once.
like no other
Our culture is rooted in trust and opportunity, inspiring students to step up, speak out, and make a difference. Whether through clubs, service, student government, or the arts, students build lasting friendships, discover their strengths, and contribute meaningfully, while learning about themselves along the way.
Our students are not the only ones who play a critical role in our community. Our faculty, parents, and alumni are deeply invested in the FRA experience. Through campus traditions such as All-Community Tailgate, Homecoming, Grandparents Day, Cocoa and Carols, Come See Santa, and FRAmily Breakfast, members of the FRA community build school pride and strengthen relationships.
