School Overview
Nashville Big Picture High School, located in the Sylvan Heights area of Nashville, is a unique, non-traditional learning community that operates as part of the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) district. Unlike a conventional high school, the institution is built on the "Big Picture Learning" model, which emphasizes student-centered, interest-driven education. The school prioritizes deep relationships between students, teachers, and mentors, fostering an environment where academic work is closely tied to individual student passions and real-world application.

A core component of the Nashville Big Picture curriculum is the internship program, which requires students to spend significant time learning in professional settings outside of the classroom. By replacing traditional bell schedules and rigid standardized testing with project-based learning and portfolio assessments, the school aims to prepare students for college and careers by teaching them how to take ownership of their own education. It is an ideal environment for students who thrive in smaller, personalized settings and who are looking for a hands-on, community-focused approach to high school.
146
Total Students
15.9
Full-Time Teachers
9.2
Student/Teacher Ratio
N/A
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Nashville Big Picture High School
Demographic Student Count
White23
Hispanic17
Black103
Asian1
Two or More1
Pacific Islander1
  • Black
    103 (70.5 %)
  • White
    23 (15.8 %)
  • Hispanic
    17 (11.6 %)
  • Asian
    1 (0.7 %)
  • Two or More
    1 (0.7 %)
  • Pacific Islander
    1 (0.7 %)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: High School
School Type: Regular School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status: No
District: Davidson County
Phone: (615)353-2081
Website: http://schools.mnps.org/nashville-big-picture-high-school
Grade Range: 9th - 12th
Total Students: 146
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 15.9
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 9.2
NSLP Participation:1 Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch: 0
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 0
Grades Taught
Grade 9 45
Grade 10 34
Grade 11 37
Grade 12 30

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for Nashville Big Picture High School
Grade Student Count
Grade 945
Grade 1034
Grade 1137
Grade 1230
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for Nashville Big Picture High School
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female7954.1%
Male6745.9%
Nearby High Schools (Within 10 Miles)