Smithson Craighead Academy

Charter School 316 Students

Elementary School K - 5th

School Overview

Smithson Craighead Academy is a public charter school located in Madison, Tennessee, serving students in grades K–8. Operating with a focus on academic rigor and character development, the school aims to provide a structured and supportive learning environment that prepares students for success in high school and beyond. By emphasizing a holistic approach to education, the academy strives to bridge achievement gaps and foster a community where both intellectual growth and social-emotional well-being are prioritized.

Beyond its core curriculum, Smithson Craighead Academy is known for its commitment to small-group instruction and personalized learning strategies designed to meet the diverse needs of its student population. The school leverages its charter status to implement innovative teaching methods and maintain a close-knit school culture, often focusing on parent involvement and community partnerships. Located in the Neely's Bend area, the academy serves as a key educational choice for families in the Metro Nashville Public Schools district looking for a tuition-free, focused alternative to traditional neighborhood schools.

316

Total Students

16.0

Full-Time Teachers

19.8

Student/Teacher Ratio

N/A

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Smithson Craighead Academy
Demographic	Student Count
White	30
Hispanic	148
Black	127
Two or More	10
Pacific Islander	1

Hispanic
148 (46.8 %)
Black
127 (40.2 %)
White
30 (9.5 %)
Two or More
10 (3.2 %)
Pacific Islander
1 (0.3 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Charter School
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Davidson County
Phone:	(615)228-9886
Website:	http://smithsoncraighead.net
Grade Range:	K - 5th
Total Students:	316
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	16.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	19.8
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	0
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 60

Grade 1 59

Grade 2 54

Grade 3 63

Grade 4 41

Grade 5 39

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for Smithson Craighead Academy
Grade	Student Count
Kindergarten	60
Grade 1	59
Grade 2	54
Grade 3	63
Grade 4	41
Grade 5	39

Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for Smithson Craighead Academy
Gender	Student Count	Percentage
Female	150	47.5%
Male	166	52.5%

Nearby Elementary Schools (Within 10 Miles)