About

About Davidson Academy

Thank you for your interest in Davidson Academy!

Our mission is to prepare students for college, life, and eternity.

From preschool through high school graduation, our goal is to provide a well-balanced education for each child intellectually, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Christ is at the center of everything we teach and our teachers go above and beyond to ensure that each student learns in his or her own way.

History of Davidson Academy

Davidson Academy’s forerunner, Madison Christian School, opened in 1980 with 62 students in grades one through four. Its mission was and continues to be preparing students for college, life, and eternity.
 
The school grew exponentially in enrollment during those early years, as parents learned that DA provided strong academic instruction, a Christian inter-denominational environment, and a range of programs and opportunities to meet the needs of students and families. Davidson Academy earned full accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (now Cognia) in 1987, and was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the US Department of Education in 2002. The first class of seniors was graduated in 1989. Since then Davidson Academy has produced more than 2,000 alumni, including four National Merit Scholars, a Miss America winner, and hundreds of successful professionals, business leaders, and distinguished members of their communities.
 
Davidson Academy’s beautiful and pastoral 65-acre campus lies eight miles due north of downtown Nashville, and includes a full range of functional academic and co-curricular facilities. The interscholastic athletic program has produced state champions in football (6), girls’ golf, baseball, and softball. Music and theatre offerings abound. Leadership and service opportunities are available to all students. Small class sizes promote individual student attention from DA’s caring and professional staff.
 
Over more than four decades, Davidson Academy has earned its reputation as one of the region’s leading schools, consistently posting outstanding achievement scores and college scholarships. Its future is bright as Davidson Academy prepares to serve the next generation of students and families.

Accreditations and Memberships

Founded and established in 1980, Davidson Academy is accredited by COGNIA / AdvancED and approved by the Tennessee Department of Education. The school is also a member of Independent Schools of the Nashville Area, the Tennessee Association of Independent Schools, and the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association. Individual faculty and staff members are also active in many professional organizations.

What Davidson Academy Offers

  • Bible-based character development, weekly chapel, and spiritual emphasis
  • Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment courses for college credit
  • STEAM lab for grades PreK through 8
  • STEAM course offerings for grades 9 through 12
  • myDA, a web-based student information system
  • Capstone senior research project
  • Teachers who are committed to student success
  • Mission projects and community service opportunities
  • Advisory Groups with curriculum focusing on biblical lessons and SEL in grades 9 through 12
  • Music in elementary grades and offered as an elective beginning in Middle School
  • Art in elementary grades and offered as an elective beginning in Middle School
  • iPad use from preschool through 4th grade
  • Current model Windows 10, 2-in-1 laptops provided for Middle School and High School students
  • Guidance counselors in both the Lower and Upper Schools
  • College placement counselor
  • A full-time registered nurse
  • Performing arts opportunities, including Praise Band, vocal groups, drama, and dance
  • Athletic opportunities, including basketball, baseball, football, soccer, track, tennis, cross-country, golf, volleyball, and softball at varsity, junior varsity, and Middle School levels
  • Parent support groups keyed to student activities
  • Pastoral and spacious 60-acre campus certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a Wildlife Habitat
  • Campus arboretum, joining nearby Vanderbilt University and Belle Meade Plantation in its certification by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council
  • Before- and after-school programs
  • Summer Day Camp known as Bear Camp
  • Educational field trips
  • Bus transportation
  • Separate Middle School programs and activities
  • Prayer Garden