Frequently Asked Questions

Templeton Academy reimagines education through personalized, project-based learning that builds critical thinking, creativity, and real-world problem-solving skills. Our educational approach is built on three pillars:

Core Advisory (“Find Your Why”): Learning to recognize your role in your community and developing essential soft skills such as empathy, conscientiousness, self-regulation, perseverance, and time management.

Project-Based Learning (“Meaningful Exploration”): Developing character, citizenship, communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking through collaborative co-learning.

Fieldwork (“City As A Classroom”): Hands-on learning and real-life experience navigating the world around you.

Our mission is to revolutionize access to student agency by nurturing young people from all backgrounds into purposeful adults who use their gifts in a way that brings them joy and serves others. Our vision is a world full of purpose-driven lifelong learners prepared to thrive in college, career, and life.

Our average class size is 10 students, allowing for personalized attention and meaningful relationships between students and teachers.

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 typically spend 2 hours and 20 minutes Tuesdays/Fridays or Mondays/Thursdays 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 a small school where familiar faces abound. We keep class sizes intentionally small, which allows students to be known and engage every day.

Our logo captures the essence of our story and aspirations. It features a hand-drawn question mark shaped like a “T” with a paperclip design. The question mark symbolizes our belief that wrestling with big questions is more important than simply reciting correct answers, representing our inquiry-based approach to learning and our emphasis on students finding their “why.” The paperclip element symbolizes connection and solidarity, reflecting how we bring together diverse learning experiences and build strong relationships within our community.

Yes—but we go further. Our students discover their purpose before declaring a major and enter college ready to lead discussions, think critically, and engage deeply.

Our students are kind, curious, and resilient. 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. 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.

Yes. Templeton Academy is accredited by the Middle States 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.

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.

For Middle School (Grades 6-8):

• Experience Day – spend a day at Templeton to see our unique approach in action
• Submit an Online Application through Ravenna at ravenna-hub.com
• Provide Academic Records (current report card including at least Q1 grades and prior year report card)
• Common Teacher Recommendation
• Student Video sharing their interests and aspirations
• Parent Interview

For High School (Grades 9-12):

• Experience Day – immerse yourself in the Templeton learning environment
• Submit an Online Application through Ravenna at ravenna-hub.com
• Provide Academic Records (current report card including at least Q1 grades and prior year report card)
• Common Teacher Recommendation
• Student Essay
• Student Interview

Priority Application Deadline: January 15

After January 15: Applications accepted on a rolling basis

Upon Acceptance: Students have two weeks to register

Late Registration: Additional fees apply if registration occurs more than one month after acceptance

Yes. We fully appreciate that the regular tuition rate is still unattainable to many families. Templeton Academy is socio-economically diverse by design. Our goal is to be both high quality and highly accessible, and we realize that our tuition is still not affordable to roughly 1/3 of the families that we serve without financial aid.

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

December 1: Application for financial aid opens

January 16: Supporting documents for financial aid due

February 5: Financial aid decisions made and communicated

Week of February 17: Tuition agreements adjusted to account for awarded financial aid

No, all Templeton Academy families use Clarity for financial aid assessments. This streamlined, 3rd party partner tool makes applying for financial aid simpler and even more secure because it pulls information directly from the IRS which means fewer (if any!) documents for families to upload.

We have chosen Clarity as our financial aid application to better serve both our current and prospective families. We are confident that this change is going to make the process of applying for financial aid easier for families.

Clarity offers a streamlined, mobile-friendly application that can be completed in as short as 20 minutes. Additionally, your 2024 1040 and W2 will be automatically transferred from the IRS, so you will no longer need to upload those documents manually. These are just a few ways in which Clarity enhances the financial aid application process.

Templeton Academy takes the privacy and security of your personal information very seriously. Clarity is certified for both GDPR and SOC2 and uses enterprise-level security standards including end-to-end encryption of all personally identifiable information. For more information, please refer to Clarity’s Privacy Policy.

Unfortunately, no. Every year there are more qualified applicants for aid than available funds. Awards are issued on a first come, first serve basis.

Yes, all financial aid recipients must reapply for financial aid every year. Awards are given for one academic year at a time. For current Templeton Academy families, all future tuition assistance awards are contingent upon payment of the prior year’s account. Tuition assistance application window opens December 1 and is available while the financial aid budget allows.

Returning families can expect to receive a similar amount of financial aid as long as their income and family circumstances remain largely the same when they reapply each year, as the financial aid calculation is primarily based on your submitted application form.

Just as in prior years, if your financial circumstances have not changed, you will not have significant changes to your award from previous years. If you have any questions about your individual circumstances, please reach out to us.

No, all financial aid awarded at Templeton Academy is need-based.

No. Templeton Academy considers an applicant based on their own merit. A family’s financial situation is neither considered nor discussed in Admission deliberations.

While currently enrolled Templeton Academy students receive priority (through January 31), no other outside factor affects the distribution of aid.

• All tuition assistance at Templeton Academy is need-based
• All tuition assistance recipients must reapply for tuition assistance every year
• Awards are given for one academic year at a time
• For current Templeton Academy families, all future tuition assistance awards are contingent upon payment of the prior year’s account
• Providing false information on tuition assistance applications is illegal and may result in student expulsion, investigation by the IRS, and fines
• Parents acknowledge/understand that despite any expectations for payment from tuition assistance or other sources, they are ultimately responsible for all charges and fees or penalties related to their student’s registration and attendance at Templeton Academy
• Templeton Academy reserves the right to suspend tuition assistance should the student require disciplinary action, fail a class, if parents fail to pay their part of the tuition, or if parents provide false information on the tuition assistance application

Taking two Deep Dive or Advanced classes each semester 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 visiting notable city landmarks or hearing from an expert 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, fieldwork, quizzes or tests, and breaks.

We offer a comprehensive curriculum including:

Humanities (combined English and History)
Mathematics
Science
Foreign Languages
Arts
Physical Education and Health

Please see our Middle School page or High School page for more detailed information.

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

Similar to a college seminar, students sit around a conference table beside their teacher and are expected to actively participate in discussion. When on Fieldworks, 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 Fieldworks throughout the school year. These Fieldworks range widely in scope and purpose:

• A photography class capturing architectural elements in the historic district
• A science class collecting water samples from local streams for environmental testing
• A history class touring government buildings and meeting with local officials
• A math class measuring and analyzing traffic patterns at busy intersections
• A language class ordering and conversing entirely in Spanish at local restaurants
• A literature class attending performances of works they’re studying
• An economics class visiting local businesses to interview entrepreneurs
• Art students sketching at galleries or outdoor spaces
• All-day immersive experiences with museum docents or industry professionals
• Community service projects with local non-profit organizations
• Visits to university campuses for specialized workshops or lectures

These diverse, purposeful Fieldworks connect classroom learning to real-world applications, helping students see the relevance of their education while developing comfort and confidence in navigating their community.

Templeton Academy supports extracurricular activities developed by students. Theater Club, Film Club, Dungeons & Dragons Club, and Improv Club are examples of student-generated and led activities. In addition, Student Leadership and Yearbook are faculty led elective options. Students also have input into which electives are offered each term. Print Making, Drama, Film, Creative Writing, and Crochet 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.

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.

While Templeton Academy does not offer AP or Honors courses, online courses are available through accredited partners, handled on a case–by-case basis based on Student interest, and Templeton Academy approval. These courses are not covered by tuition.

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.

Please see our Tuition page for updated information. Tuition is paid monthly via automatic ACH or credit card, with one month’s deposit due at registration.

Not included in tuition fees:

• Textbooks and school supplies
• Special events (Graduation, performances, etc.)
• Public transportation and parking fees
• Laptop device
• Online courses (available through accredited partners, handled on a case-by-case basis)
• 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.