HISTORY
Ashley Academy, The Enrichment Institute, was founded in 1979 to provide a challenging educational program to bright and gifted children. For over thirty years, Ashley Academy has maintained exemplary standards in the preschool through 8th grade programs. Ashley Academy is an independent, coeducational, private school that promotes learning in an atmosphere, in which character, responsibility and self-worth are nurtured.
MISSION
The mission of Ashley Academy is to provide children with unique and challenging learning opportunities in a nurturing, safe, and culturally diverse school environment. In order to achieve this mission, our school community emphasizes respect, responsibility, integrity, and the love of learning. Ashley Academy is committed to helping students develop their talents, interests and character while cultivating outstanding academic skills. The small class sizes, hands-on learning experiences, progressive curriculum, and caring environments enable Ashley Academy to excel in meeting the individual needs of each child.
PHILOSOPHY
Educating the whole child. Our classes and programs are designed to promote growth and achievement in intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development.
Respecting diversity and individuality. Ashley Academy places strong emphasis on appreciating the cultural richness of our school and world. Students are encouraged to develop themselves as individuals while learning to become contributing members of their classrooms.
Providing an enriched environment for learning. Our curriculum and instruction methods are carefully selected to include: adequate time for learning, choices, projects, cooperative learning, immediate feedback, and mastery of problem-solving skills.
Implementing a team approach to educating children. We view parents, grandparents, students, and teachers as vital components to the success of each child. We believe that families play a crucial role in all parts of school life.
SCHOOL CONFIGURATION
The teacher-student ratio at Ashley Academy averages 1:8, with an enrollment capacity of 150. The faculty is composed of twenty full and part-time dedicated professional educators, many of whom have earned graduate degrees. All teachers meet or exceed the Tennessee Department of Education Certification standards. The school also meets all state academic and safety requirements, and is annually approved by the Tennessee State Department of Education. The school is composed of five buildings, which include 14 classrooms, gymnasium/cafeteria, library, and administrative offices. The 2-acre complex is adjacent to a 22-acre city park, which is available to the school for a variety of uses.
The headmaster/principal oversees all matters of the school and faculty. A fifteen-member board of directors also governs the school. Members represent a range within the community and school with representation from academic, financial, legal and medical entities as well as parents of Ashley Academy students.
Ashley Academy’s school year consists of four forty-five day quarters, approximately nine weeks each. School day hours for preschool classes are from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Grades kindergarten through 8th are from 7:50 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Children may arrive at the school starting at 7:30 a.m. In order to accommodate families that need child care services after the academic day, Ashley Academy offers, for an additional cost, an extended care program starting at 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. This service is offered on days that school is in session.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Ashley Academy believes that parents are an integral part of the learning process. Family support and participation are encouraged whenever possible. Parental involvement is seen inside the classroom through: lectures and demonstrations, fundraising events, and in the governance of the school. Parental involvement is key to the sense of community fostered at Ashley Academy.
PREP SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES ATTENDED
Ashley Academy Students have furthered their education by attending local public and private schools, as well as regional prep schools. Baylor, The Hill, Choate, and Webb School are a few prep schools where Ashley Academy students have furthered their education. Our students also attend top colleges in the nation: Vanderbilt, Stanford, Wellesley, Carnegie-Mellon, Oberlin, University of Virginia, Williams, Agnes Scott, Freed-Hardeman, Dartmouth, Rollins, Bob Jones University, Emory, David Lipscomb, United States Navel Academy, Citadel, East Tennessee State University, University of Tennessee, Duke, Princeton, and Milligan College. The educational experience of our alumni has prepared them for successful college experiences and beyond.
