Harding Academy

The mission of Harding Academy is to educate and inspire young people to become thoughtful, creative, life-long learners who are self-disciplined, responsible, caring citizens.
Harding Academy offers an educational environment and developmentally-appropriate experiences designed to foster academic excellence and to nurture each student's intellectual, emotional, social, and moral growth. The school supports development and enrichment of the curriculum, as well as the use of a variety of learning experiences to challenge each student, stimulate creativity, and inspire a life-long desire for learning.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked TN School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 500 students
  • Average class size: 18 students
  • Application Deadline: Nov. 1 / Dec. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Harding Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Tennessee for:

Category
Attribute
Sports offered

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
Year Founded
1971

Student Body

Total Students
500 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
11%
State avg.: 19%
Students by Grade
Harding Academy Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
58 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
9:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
70%
Average Class Size
18 students
List of Courses Offered
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Uniform

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Nov. 1 / Dec. 15 / rolling
Tuition Notes
2023-24 School Year Tuition Pre-Kindergarten $13,000 Lower School (grades K-5) $24,235 Middle School (grades 6-8) $26,545 Those accepted for admission pay a non-refundable $1,000 deposit with their contract, which is applied toward tuition.Please note that tuition does not include the cost of activity fees, textbooks, personal supplies, or the optional lunch program.
% on Financial Aid
12%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$16,248
Admissions Director
Helen Brown
Admissions Associate
Gretchen Rucker Banzhoff
Endowment Size
$8 million

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
15 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
BROWNIES, CUB SCOUTS AND BOY SCOUTS, DAISIES, GIRL SCOUT CADETS, JUNIOR GIRLS SCOUTS, THE CHESS CLUB OR CHESS TEAM

Arts and Music Programs:
HARDING ACADEMY SCHOOL OF DANCE, MUSIC LESSONS

Recreational Athletic Programs:
BASEBALL, DISC GOLF, E-Sports, FLAG FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL, LOWER SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY TEAM, Mountain Biking Club, SOCCER

School Notes

  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Reese Witherspoon '90 - Actress and producer. Winner of an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and 2 Golden Globe Awards.
    • Jenny Boucek '88 - Former WNBA player, former Indiana Pacers assistant coach, and former Seattle Storm head coach.
    • Brandt Snedeker '95 - Professional golfer on the PGA Tour.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are famous alumni from Harding Academy?
Harding Academy famous alumni include: Reese Witherspoon '90, Jenny Boucek '88 and Brandt Snedeker '95.
What sports does Harding Academy offer?
Harding Academy offers 17 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Dance, Flag Football, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling. Harding Academy is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Tennessee for most sports offered.
What is Harding Academy's ranking?
Harding Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Tennessee for: Largest student body and Most sports offered.
When is the application deadline for Harding Academy?
The application deadline for Harding Academy is Nov. 1 / Dec. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Nov. 1 / Dec. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
What neighborhood is Harding Academy located?
Harding Academy is located in the Belle Meade Links neighborhood of Nashville, TN.

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (11 reviews)
5  
This is our seventh year as Harding parents and we have loved so much of what we have experienced over the years. We feel our children are known and treated as the individuals they are. I've had many interactions with the staff and faculty and everyone overall has been kind, communicative and helpful. We love the sweet community feeling of this school. Our children are being nurtured while also being pushed to try their hardest and be their best. We feel so lucky to be a part of this wonderful school and love the PreK through 8th model. The confidence you see in the eighth graders will set them up wonderfully for high school. I also love how many opportunities there are for parents to be involved and on campus. They also do a great job at facilitating ways for the parents to interact throughout the year.
- Posted by
5  
Harding is the perfect school for children PreK-Grade 8. Harding's faculty challenges students while also allowing them to take risks within a safe, nurturing environment. Students are allowed to participate in a variety of opportunities in order to explore their interests and talents. Middle School students step into leadership roles and develop competencies and skills to help them thrive in high school and beyond.
- Posted by
5  
Harding is an exceptionally warm and nurturing school. My kids are academically challenged. They are also incredibly happy and well-adjusted (not to be overlooked). The teachers' communication with us has been phenomenal. On two different occasions over the past few years, teachers have reached out to me when my daughter needed extra support with specific skills (e.g. reading fluency, decoding). My kids are seen and their needs are fully met at such an individual level. I also look around at the community of parents and am so happy that these are the people that I get to do life with - grounded, thoughtful, conscientious families. The theatre and arts program is unparalleled. All kids regardless of ability are encouraged to be part of the plays.
- Posted by
5  
Harding Academy is an incredible school that focuses on each child and family individually, while also fostering a strong sense of community. The teachers are nurturing and highly qualified, and work both with students and parents to ensure that children are growing and learning at a developmentally appropriate rate and that they are enjoying school and learning. One of my favorite parts about Harding is how the culture encourages children being children. They celebrate the beauty of childhood while simultaneously preparing your child for the next chapter of high school. The parent community is engaged and welcoming, and highly respectful. We have had an incredible experience with our two children thus far. We are grateful to be part of the Harding Academy school community!
- Posted by
5  
Harding is a challenging and incredible school. The teachers are great, classes are challenging, and the facilities are nice. The sports are fun, but on varsity it is not equal playing time. The plays are amazing! Our director makes us all feel important, even if we are in the ensemble. I would recommend it to anyone.
- Posted by
5  
We moved to Nashville a year and a half ago and joined the Harding family. Our kids have been so loved by their teachers. They've been more inspired and excited than challenged or pushed academically (which I mean in such a good way). They are so proud of themselves and have created so many good friends. Their learning is absolutely incredible, but we're more embracing and proud of their allegiance to the Harding Code. The exposure to so many different programs has been such a gift ... and has taught our children to be open to trying new things, and gain confidence by doing so. The faculty is terrific. The other students and families are very welcoming. We've had a great experience with Harding.
- Posted by
5  
I have been thrilled with Harding Academy. It is an inclusive, nurturing environment where my children have thrived and developed, academically and socially. The Community Code weaves its way throughout the school, and it underscores the nurturing interactions between the teachers and the students and among the students themselves. The children consistently treat each other with respect, kindness, and compassion, and I know they will develop lifelong skills for learning and discovery. I absolutely would recommend Harding.
- Posted by
5  
Harding Academy is an outstanding elementary school. We chose HA because of its challenging yet nurturing environment. The kids and families are made to feel welcome and it allows confidence to grow throughout the student body. Every one supports one another at HA and you feel part of a greater community. Both of our children have strived academically and socially. As a Harding Alum myself, I am always proud to state HA as our school.
- Posted by
5  
Harding Academy's academic excellence stems from its incredible faculty. With an impressively low student-teacher ratio, my child has been encouraged to think critically and independently with skills for a lifetime. The school is extremely challenging yet nurturing. The buddy system, Houses, and community code create a warm and inviting atmosphere where a child can thrive and broaden their experience across grade levels. HA has sparked my child's curiosity, leadership skills, artistic ambitions, and athletic ability.
- Posted by
5  
Harding Academy is an outstanding private elementary school. It strikes a balance between being academically challenging but also nurturing. It offers countless opportunities to develop leadership skills and critical thinking. For a relatively small school, it also offers a wealth of opportunities in the arts, athletics, technology, and after school enrichment programs. The school abides strongly by its Community Code of values. We think the prek through eight experience here is unparalleled in Nashville and we are so impressed with the leadership opportunities offered for middle schoolers. We have been delighted with the faculty. Our children have blossomed, each in their own way, and we can't think of a better school in Nashville.
- Posted by
5  
The perfect place for my two boys. Nurturing, challenging, supportive. We are so happy to be part of the Harding community.
- Posted by

Endorse Harding Academy. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:

  • Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
  • Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
  • Academic or athletic awards
Endorse this school:

Recent Articles

Private School Search Tips
Private School Search Tips
We look at several ways you can use to search for private schools. Whether you are beginning the search process for a school for your child or just want to find out more about particular schools, we offer some tips and tricks to make searching more efficient.
Secrets to Becoming a Great School
Secrets to Becoming a Great School
Discover the essential ingredients that drive academic success and cultivate a thriving school community.
All About JROTC
All About JROTC
Explore the multifaceted advantages of Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) programs in private schools. Delve into how JROTC cultivates leadership, discipline, and citizenship skills among students, contributing to their holistic development and future success.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked TN School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 500 students
  • Average class size: 18 students
  • Application Deadline: Nov. 1 / Dec. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Request Information

Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Nashville, TN is $16,174 for elementary schools and $21,367 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Nashville, TN is 64% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

Quick Links