University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
(Adopted by the Board of Trustees in 2008, and again ratified in 2016.)
Lauren Gage, Fifth Grade English Teacher, Parent ‘34, ‘37
Benjamin Goldberg, Alumnus ‘98, Board Vice President, Parent ‘32, ‘36
Amy R. Huffman, Trustee, Parent ‘29, ‘33
Alex Jahangir, Board President-Elect, Parent ‘29, ‘31, ‘32
Eric Kopstain, Board President, Parent ‘25
Robbie McKay, HS English Teacher, Parent ‘25, Parent of Alumni ‘20, ‘23
Tina Modi, Board Past President, Parent ‘25, ‘26
Jennifer Russell, Trustee, Parent ‘29
Stephen Schleicher, Alumnus ‘01, Parent ‘32, ‘34, ‘37
Kyleen Shyer, Fourth Grade Teacher, Parent ‘37
Anne Westfall, Director of Development, Parent ‘27
Kristin Wilson, Board Secretary, Parent ‘29, ‘32
Matthew Wolf, Alumnus ‘99, Trustee, Parent ‘31, ‘33
Foster Academic Excellence
Rationale
USN grounds our students in a range of disciplines and challenges them to nd their individual paths of passion and purpose. We develop students’ intellectual curiosity and critical thinking skills to enable them to thrive and lead in a rapidly changing world.
Goal Statement
We will become a beacon for academic excellence and innovation in the independent-school landscape, with a focus on student-centered teaching and real-world application that prepares our students to excel in college and beyond.
Strengthen the alignment of our curriculum and programs, providing a connected experience from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Expand differentiated and experiential learning opportunities to meet students where they are and enable them to learn by doing.
Develop and implement dynamic athletic, elective, and after-school programs that enable students to deepen their expertise and try new things.
Increase meaningful opportunities for service learning, mentorships, internships, and alumni connections.
Embrace and leverage technology to advance student learning while building lifelong healthy habits around its use.
Support Great Educators and Professionals
Rationale
Our faculty and sta are foundational to providing a collaborative and dynamic learning experience. When our professionals have the resources and support they need, they are able to inspire our students to explore their passions and reach their potential.
Goal Statement
By making USN one of the best places to work in Nashville, we will attract and retain exceptional, diverse educators and professionals to lead, grow, and stay with us.
Create and implement strategies to recruit top talent and build the pipeline of excellent faculty and staff.
Design a professional growth framework that provides constructive feedback and meaningful assessment for our faculty and staff.
Provide professional development and leadership opportunities that allow our educators to be at the forefront of teaching and learning.
Provide faculty and staff with resources to innovate and align across USN's three divisions.
Cultivate a culture where faculty and staff can find joy in their work and bring their authentic selves to school.
Celebrate Community and Belonging
Rationale
USN believes a shared sense of purpose is essential for a strong and dynamic school culture. When all members of our community have a sense of well-being and belonging, we are empowered to step outside of our comfort zones, use our voices, and serve others.
Goal Statement
We will support an equitable, inclusive school community that welcomes all backgrounds and celebrates di erences by empowering students, faculty, sta , alumni, and families to be active contributors who feel connected, informed, and con dent that they belong.
Build and nourish a school community that reflects the many dimensions of Nashville, in which each person is valued and uplifted.
Expand mental health and wellness options for students, faculty, and staff.
Cultivate a culture of two-way communication in which members of our school community feel heard, informed, and engaged.
Increase opportunities for students and their families to connect and support each other across USN’s three divisions.
Deepen and expand university and community partnerships that leverage our location in Midtown Nashville.
Increase opportunities for the USN community to collaborate with, learn from, and serve the Edgehill neighborhood and beyond.
Invest in Our Campus
Rationale
USN's historic Edgehill Campus is central to our identity as a co-located K-12 school, and the River Campus allows us to extend our space for an array of athletics and enrichment opportunities. To meet the evolving needs of the USN community and our growing city, we will strategically reinvest in our 88 acres in Midtown and North Nashville.
Goal Statement
We will invest in exible, state-of-the-art facilities that support excellence in academics, arts, and athletics; provide space for community building; inspire innovation; and promote a safe and dynamic learning experience.
Ensure that security protocols, training, and investments prioritize safety in the context of a K-12 learning environment.
Design and implement a master plan for our Edgehill and River Campuses that optimizes existing spaces and anticipates future growth and academic needs.
Prioritize facility upgrades that meet the needs of our educational program inside and outside of the classroom and enable USN to host sporting events, performing arts programs, and other opportunities that complement our students’ development.
Preserve our historic Edgehill Campus and honor the significance of our century-long journey from Peabody Demonstration School to University School of Nashville.
Cultivate Resources for the Future
Rationale
For more than 100 years, USN has modeled academic excellence and innovation. As we look forward, we will honor our history while ensuring we have the necessary resources to lead and innovate in the future.
Goal Statement
We will steward USN’s human and nancial resources to ensure long-term excellence and sustainability. Deploy a mission-driven economic model that prioritizes student access and affordability, as well as faculty and staff retention.
Maximize our philanthropic resources and manage our revenue to ensure USN’s long-term financial health.
Review our mission statement and guiding principles to ensure they reflect the USN of today and in the future.
Maximize effective governance practices with a Board of Trustees that represents the diversity of the USN community and is focused on the mission and future of the school.
Cement USN’s role as a leader in the local, regional, and national independent-school landscapes.
The Board of Trustees approved this document in May 2024.
Visit usn.org/forward for more information on the strategic planning process and what comes next.
