Yes. Though we don’t think that is enough for a 21 st century secondary school. Templeton Academy was built to position young people to thrive in college, career and life.

Every week, teachers create innovative lesson plans that include weekly excursions and quarterly plans that include a major project (approximately 20 hours of work) to ensure students really master the material in a hands-on and in depth way. FriYay! Includes a separate topical cross curricular project that ties in the real world and ensures students work in collaborative and cooperative ways. We support our teachers to do this type of schooling with an in-depth coaching model.

High school is driven by similarly innovative lesson plans, weekly excursions and in-depth coaching as the middle school, but revolves around a major project (approximately 20 hours of work) each 10-week term. These projects showcase student mastery just as much as the traditional exam does.

Per our Templeton Experience video , our students are smart, driven, artistic, kind, curious. They are students who don’t just want to sit in a classroom and be talked at — they want to actively participate in their learning. Or as you’ll also see in the video, they no longer want to look at teachers as rule makers, but as partners in learning. Students who are motivated to learn about the world around them and themselves will be most successful at Templeton Academy.

Most notably, we have a unique schedule in which students take two classes a day per quarter. This allows students to deeply engage with the subjects they’re studying. Instead of jumping from class-to-class in 45-minute increments, students spend 2 hours and 20 minutes each day to explore each subject. This also supports our experiential approach to learning. We take hands-on learning seriously and use the city’s vast resources to deepen our understanding of the world and the subjects we’re studying. We’re also a small school where everyone knows everyone else and classes average only 8 students. Because of this, every student is known and expected to engage every day.

Taking two classes a day and only two per quarter allows students to deeply engage with the subjects they are studying. Instead of jumping from class-to-class in 45 minute increments, students have 2 hours and 20 minutes with each subject to explore concepts fully. This model also allows students and teachers time to make learning hands-on. Educational activities like cooking tacos while speaking only in Spanish or visiting notable city landmarks for a lesson on politics or art are only possible in a setting that provides that needed time and space.

Each day differs, but typically classes average 3 transitions within a 2 hour and 20 min block and might include group and individual work (lab, projects, problem-solving sessions), student presentations, excursions, quizzes or tests, and breaks.

Similar to a college seminar, students sit around a conference table beside their teacher and are expected to actively participate in discussion. When on excursions, students can explore around their city with their teacher to enrich content learned in class.

Teachers are encouraged to take their classes out at least once a week. Last year, Templeton Academy took over 80 excursions throughout the school year. Click here to see some of the places we’ve been so far. An excursion can be a photo shoot of the neighborhood or an all-day visit with a docent at a local museum.

Templeton Academy supports extracurricular activities developed by students. Theater Club, Film Club, Chess Club, and Improv Club are examples of student-generated and led activities. In addition, students have input into which electives are offered each term. Computer Science, Drama, Film, Creative Writing, and Political Science are some of the electives that have been offered based on student interest. Templeton Academy students are able to engage in a myriad of activities outside of school because they are able to complete most of their homework while at school. Sports clubs and leagues, dance and music classes, community service, and paid jobs are some examples of our students’ commitments outside of school.

Through Service Learning, students engage in projects that contribute to the betterment of their community and to their overall education. Students are highly self-motivated and encouraged to find and organize their own projects. Staff and faculty are there to support our students, but take a step back to enable students to see their service projects through on their own merit.

Online courses are available through accredited partners, handled on a case–by-case basis based on Student interest and need, and Templeton Academy approval.

We believe the majority of learning should be during class, but homework is a useful tool to reinforce what was learned in class or to work on an upcoming project. The amount of homework each student has each day varies depending on how effectively students manage their time. Students have a “Flex” period of 2 hours and 20 minutes each day to work individually, with classmates, and with teachers on class assignments. Students who take advantage of their “Flex” period should expect approximately one hour of homework outside of school each day.

We offer college counseling for grades 9 through 12. Our college counselor works one-on-one with each student and family to develop an individualized plan that reflects the goals and aspirations of the student.

There is no fee to apply. If you’re curious and want to know more about applying to Templeton Academy, you can learn more by filling out an inquiry form for the Nashville campus or the DC campus and connecting directly with our Admissions team.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Starting in the 25/26SY

In Nashville: $20,700
$1,725 (1 month deposit) + $18,975 (11 monthly payments of $1,725)

In DC: $23,820
$1,985 (1 month deposit) + $21,835 (11 monthly payments of $1,985)

New Students:
Applications should be submitted on or before January 15, our priority deadline. Applications received after January 15 will be treated as rolling admissions. Upon acceptance, Students have two (2) weeks to register. If still unregistered after one month of their acceptance, then additional late registration fees apply.

With private school tuition outpacing inflation for decades, we see an enormous opportunity to make private education more accessible to families. The two top drivers of cost in most schooling models are people and buildings. Rather than putting tuition toward building and maintaining expensive facilities and grounds, we use the city as our campus, focusing our budget on hiring the best full-time and part-time teachers.

Not Included in Tuition Fees

• Textbooks and school supplies
• Special events (Graduation, performances, etc.)
• Public transportation and parking fees
• Laptop device
• Online courses are available through accredited partners, handled on a case-by-case basis based on Student interest and need, and Templeton Academy approval
• School Trips

TADS is our tuition management system. Families will complete their application, enrollment paperwork, monthly tuition payments, and any additional invoices that arise during the school year. There is an annual processing fee due at the time of registration.

All tuition is collected monthly. An annual payment option is not offered. All monthly tuition payments are made automatically with either a credit card or ACH wire transfer.

Yes. We fully appreciate that the regular tuition rate is still unattainable to many families. Here is a link to our Financial Aid FAQ.

All Templeton Academy financial aid is needs-based and determined by the use of Clarity, a third-party financial assessor platform.

Yes. Templeton Academy is accredited by Middle States Colleges Association of Colleges and Schools. Templeton Academy has been approved for operation in the District of Columbia by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education and Templeton Academy Nashville by the Tennessee Department of Education.