Over a decade ago, a floundering and overwhelmed Amy and Michael Smith were trying to find the right school for their oldest child. Today, they feel lucky for the community they found for their three children and helped build alongside them.    

 “We were first-time parents, just trying to understand the Nashville School System. I looked into Lillian’s zoned school and heard about choice schools, so I researched them all,” Amy said. “At that time, I was interested in Montessori schools; two were available. But, you have to list seven choices. NCCS was our third choice. Of the non-Montessori schools, it was my favorite.”

Mrs. Smith chose Nashville Classical and remembers feeling connected to the school immediately, “Once we started there, we loved being invited into the classroom,” she said. “It was such a small, close-knit community. I knew many of the other parents. We saw Mr. Friedman every morning for the handshake. At that point, we were fully invested. When it came to Henry (our middle), the decision was clear. Enrolling Hazel (our youngest) was also an easy choice.”

“For parents, it means having more power and control to do what’s best for your kids.”

Mrs. Smith kept Lillian at Nashville Classical through 8th Grade, where she successfully navigated those tricky Middle school years. 

 “Her grades thrived, she had good friendships, and she began to develop leadership skills as well.. She earned several awards at the 8th-grade ceremony,” Mrs. Smith remembered and we were so proud of her.. She also remembered the school asking for feedback and improving “We pushed for more sports and extracurriculars, and even though it’s a work in progress, more activities have been added. There’s room for continued growth.” 

Lillian is now a Sophomore at Nashville School of the Arts and is doing very well.. Reflecting on how Lillian adjusted to high school, Mrs. Smith notes Lillian’s resilience and confidence. “The SEL program that the school has, I I think, is very positive.. There are moments where I think I’m teaching them something new as a parent, and it turns out the school has already introduced these topics to them.  For example, mindful meditation, asking for help, self-regulation, etc.  Especially in middle school, with all the changes, having a foundation in SEL is so helpful. It might not have an immediate impact, but it’s a resource they can use later.”

The Smiths have been at Classical for the past ten years and feel like they know and are known by the whole community.  “We love so many teachers and feel like we’ve grown up with them,” they said. 

Mrs. Smith appreciates the concept of school choice. She believes it empowers parents. “As someone who always went to my zoned school, you either tough it out, or… there was no ‘or.’ Having options gives kids a better chance to thrive. If one school isn’t working, there are other choices. The options are diverse. For parents, it means having more power and control to do what’s best for your kids.”