Metro Nashville Public Schools awarded a federal grant to establish four magnet school programs

Dr. Adrienne Battle (center) at the Magnet School Award annoucement (Photo by MNPS)

Metro Nashville Public Schools announced a $15 million federal Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) grant at a press conference Monday to establish magnet programs in four existing schools.

The five-year grant will create a Spanish immersion program at Glenview Elementary and Paragon Mills Elementary to help students to become bilingual and biliterate in English and Spanish. Stratton Elementary will offer an International Baccalaureate (IB) program through the grant, which will introduce students to curriculum focused on global thinking and inquiry-based learning.

The grant will additionally provide the Brick Church Middle School students with an Early College program that integrates high school-level coursework with a focus on early college credit. Brick Church Middle School feeds into White’s Creek High which offers an early college program in partnership with Nashville State Community College. This means students can earn up to 60 college credits in addition to a high school diploma with this program.

“This prestigious grant reinforces our district’s unwavering dedication to providing a transformative, world-class education for every student,” said Director of Metro Schools, Dr. Adrienne Battle. “With this funding, we are poised to create dynamic, engaging learning environments that inspire creativity, challenge minds and prepare students for bright futures.”

The the U.S. Department of Education selected these four schools for the grant based on their high potential for reducing minority group isolation and improving socioeconomic diversity within the district. 

The award follows prior MSAP awards for the Middle Tennessee school district in 2023, 2021, 2017, and 2010.

“This grant will have a lasting impact on our students, families, and the wider community,” said Renita Perry, Chief of Academics and Schools. “The new magnet programs will provide unparalleled learning experiences and open doors for students to explore their interests while gaining critical skills for the future.”