For many Nashville families, the idea of private school feels out of reach before the conversation even starts. The assumption is that quality private education comes with a price tag reserved for the wealthiest families — and that if you need financial help, the answer will be no.
At Templeton Academy, we believe that's a problem worth solving. Our Nashville campus is socio-economically diverse by design, and our goal is to be both high-quality and highly accessible. We recognize that tuition is not affordable for roughly one-third of the families we serve without financial assistance — and we're committed to helping every family who wants a Templeton education find a way to make it work.
What Makes Templeton Academy a Strong Value
When families evaluate the cost of private school, the real question isn't just "What does it cost?" — it's "What does my family receive?" At Templeton Nashville, your tuition investment includes:
- Average class sizes of 10 students — far smaller than the 22–30+ students typical in Metro Nashville public schools and many area private schools
- Project-based learning with extended two-hour learning blocks for deep academic engagement
- Core Advisory program providing social-emotional development and personalized mentorship
- Weekly Fieldwork experiences using Nashville as a living classroom — visits to recording studios, the State Capitol, museums, and community organizations
- One-on-one college counseling beginning in ninth grade, with a 95% acceptance rate to students' colleges of choice
- Arts integration across the curriculum including drama, visual arts, photography, film, and music
- A daily Flex period of over two hours for individualized work with teacher support, reducing homework burden
- IEP support with internal accommodation plans, extended time, and personalized attention
Many Nashville private schools charge significantly higher tuition while offering larger class sizes and a more traditional, lecture-based model. Templeton's approach — using the city as our campus and investing our resources in exceptional educators rather than sprawling facilities — allows us to offer a premium educational experience at a more accessible price point.
Transparent Tuition and Monthly Payment Options
Templeton Academy believes in transparency when it comes to cost. Our tuition is structured as a monthly payment, collected automatically via ACH or credit card — there's no requirement to pay a full year upfront. One month's deposit is due at registration, and the tuition cycle runs from April through March.
For detailed tuition information for both middle school (grades 5–8) and high school (grades 9–12), families can visit our tuition page or contact our admissions team directly.
Items not included in tuition are clearly outlined upfront: textbooks and school supplies, special events (graduation, performances), parking fees, a laptop device, and school trips. There are no hidden costs or surprise fees.
Need-Based Financial Aid Through Clarity
Templeton Academy offers need-based financial aid to eligible families through a streamlined process with Clarity, a trusted third-party financial assessment platform. Here's what families need to know:
How to Apply
- Complete the Clarity Application. The mobile-friendly application can be completed in as little as 20 minutes. Your tax forms (1040 and W2) are automatically transferred from the IRS, so there's minimal document uploading required.
- Applications are assessed on a first-come, first-served basis. Currently enrolled students receive priority through January 31. All families must reapply each year.
- Awards are issued as tuition discounts. Students are notified of their award amount in their acceptance letter. Families have two weeks to accept the offer.
Financial Aid Timeline for the 2026–2027 School Year
- December 16: Financial aid applications open
- January 16: Supporting documents due
- February 5: Financial aid decisions communicated
- Week of February 17: Tuition agreements adjusted to reflect awards
Important Details
Applying for financial aid does not affect your student's admissions decision. Templeton considers every applicant on their own merit — a family's financial situation is never part of admissions discussions.
Your financial information is fully secure. Clarity is certified for both GDPR and SOC2 compliance and uses enterprise-level security standards including end-to-end encryption of all personally identifiable information.
Returning families can expect to receive a similar amount of financial aid year to year, as long as income and family circumstances remain largely the same.
How Templeton Compares to Other Nashville Private Schools
Nashville's private school landscape includes schools at a wide range of price points, from elite institutions like Ensworth, University School of Nashville, and Montgomery Bell Academy to faith-based options like Lipscomb Academy and Franklin Road Academy. Here's what sets Templeton apart in terms of value:
- Smaller class sizes than most competitors. At an average of 10 students per class, Templeton offers a level of personalization that even expensive Nashville private schools often can't match.
- An innovative learning model. Rather than a traditional lecture-and-test format, Templeton's project-based learning approach develops the critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration skills that prepare students for success in college and the modern workforce.
- A commitment to accessibility. Templeton was designed from the ground up to serve families across economic backgrounds. We don't believe that a family's financial circumstances should determine the quality of education their child receives.
- Strong outcomes. A 95% college acceptance rate demonstrates that academic excellence and financial accessibility aren't mutually exclusive.
Investing in Your Child's Future
The question Nashville families often wrestle with isn't whether private school is worth it — it's whether they can make it work. Research consistently supports the value of the kind of education Templeton provides. The landmark Tennessee STAR study found that reducing class sizes increases student achievement by the equivalent of about three additional months of schooling, with benefits that compound over time and persist into adulthood — including higher rates of college attendance and improved long-term earnings (Brookings Institution).
At Templeton, small class sizes aren't a luxury — they're the foundation of everything we do. And our financial aid program exists to ensure that this foundation is available to every family who wants it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will all students eligible for financial aid receive it?
Unfortunately, no. Each year there are more qualified applicants for aid than available funds. Awards are issued on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage families to apply as early as possible once the application window opens on December 16.
Do I have to reapply for financial aid each year?
Yes. All financial aid recipients must reapply annually. Awards are given for one academic year at a time. Returning families whose circumstances haven't significantly changed can expect to receive a similar award.
Are there merit-based scholarships available?
All financial aid at Templeton Academy is need-based. There are no merit-based scholarships — our commitment is to making quality education accessible based on financial need.
What payment methods are available for tuition?
All tuition is collected monthly via automatic ACH wire transfer or credit card. An annual lump-sum payment option is not currently offered. This monthly structure helps families manage the cost of tuition as part of their regular household budget.
Take the First Step
Don't let assumptions about cost keep your family from exploring what Templeton can offer your child. Many families are surprised to learn how accessible our tuition is — especially with financial aid.
Apply for financial aid through Clarity or schedule a financial consultation with our admissions team to discuss your family's options. We're here to help you find a way.
You can also schedule a campus tour to see our downtown Nashville campus in action and experience firsthand the education your tuition supports.
Now enrolling grades 5–12. No application fee.