b'KNOWLEDGE FOR PREPARED FOR ANY SCHOOL OF HER CHOICE Bayona was in first grade at Nashville Classical Charter School when her Aunt HIGH SCHOOL and LIFE Princecilla received custody of her and her three siblings. Princecilla credits the school with helping her navigate through an extremely difficult time for their family while keeping Bayona on track academically. They were in my corner helping me out with whatever resources I needed, even supporting me on an emotional level, Princecilla said. Without their support, Im HIGH SCHOOLnot sure how I would have made it through that first year. FOUNDING SCHOLARS ATTEND TOP PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOLS PLACEMENT PROGRAMEven though Bayona missed much of the first semester during first grade, Princecilla said the staff at Nashville Classical provided extra support to ensure In 2022, Nashville Classical proudly witnessed its inaugural 8thHELPS SCHOLARSBayona was able to successfully finish out the year. grade class embark on their high school journey. As evidence ofNAVIGATE THEShe continued to grow a strong academic base and foundation, which has the schools commitment to fostering academic excellence andTRANSITIONultimately placed her where she is today, Princecilla said. Bayona is now in 10th preparing scholars for future success, 64% of Nashville ClassicalIn addition to the rigorous academicgrade at Harpeth Hall, a private college-preparatory school for girls. alumni have earned coveted spots in selective magnet highcurriculum that gives scholars theMr. Friedman told us early on were going to prepare your kids for the high-schools or private schools.knowledge they need to succeed in aachieving high schools in the community, and thats exactly what they did, top-performing high school, NashvillePrincecilla said. She could have gone to any school of her choice. Classicals high school placementBayona chose Harpeth Hall for the structure and rigor of the academic program helps scholars navigate theprogram. She said the schools focus on academics combined with a close application and selection process withschool community and strong school pride feels similar to her time at Nashville a focus on finding a high school thatClassical. will best meet their personal needs andBoth are my safe places. This is where I feel comfortable, she said. future goals. The program is led by a full-time employee, the High School Placement Coordinator, and offers 8th gradeTEACHERS WHO LOVE AND CHALLENGE YOU scholars the opportunity to attend aEbony knew she needed to find her daughter a new school, when, halfway high school fair and provides scholarsthrough Mahoganys second-grade year, there had already been multiple with transportation and schedulinginstances where Ebony worried about Mahoganys safety and how she was support for individual school tours. Tobeing treated. remove any potential barrier, scholarsA family friend recommended Nashville Classical. After making the switch, attend weekly sessions on writingEbony said it felt like a breath of fresh air.an entrance letter and participating in an enrollment interview. ScholarsYoure joining a new family, Ebony said Youre not by yourself, even in hard also receive free test prep for thetimes. Independent School Entrance ExamDuring her 8th grade year, school staff encouraged Mahogany to apply to (ISEE), which Nashville Classicalsome of Nashvilles most highly competitive high schools. scholars are given the opportunity toNow in 10th grade at Hume Fogg High School, an academic magnet school take at no cost. Families work directlythat regularly ranks among the top high schools in Tennessee and the United with the schools High School PlacementStates, Mahogany feels just as prepared as her classmates who came from Coordinator to understand their childsother academic magnet middle schools. options and discuss how to support their scholar while promoting independence.Going into a new school where Im always being challenged, it was a familiar With guidance from the placementenvironment and a place where I felt like I could thrive, she said.program, all scholars in NashvilleLooking back on her 6.5 years at Nashville Classical, Mahogany said even on Classicals graduating 8th grade classdays she was struggling it was still a place where you felt loved. in 2023 were accepted into one of theirMahoganys sights are already set on finding the perfect HBCU where she can top five choices for high school.transfer credits from the AP classes she feels confident she will pass. 14 | Our First 10 Years Our First 10 Years | 15'