Metro Schools is strengthening the advanced academic pathway in the Overton cluster by adding the Cambridge program to Croft Middle Prep. This is the third Nashville middle school to earn the Cambridge designation and the eighth school overall. Croft Middle feeds into Overton High School, which is already a Cambridge school.
“Cambridge challenges students with a world-class curriculum and prepares them to compete with any students they encounter from around the world,” said Matt Nelson, director of advanced academics and talent development. “By giving students the opportunity to take on this challenge at Croft, they will be even more prepared for the rigorous courses they will find at Overton. From there, they will be prepared for whatever they encounter in college, career and life.”
The Cambridge International Examinations program is affiliated with the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, and offers courses comparable in rigor to British A levels and the International Baccalaureate Programme. It is available to students at every grade level, including a complete K-12 continuum in the McGavock Cluster through Hermitage Elementary, Donelson Middle and McGavock High. The Overton Cluster is building a Cambridge pathway through Overton High, Oliver Middle, and now Croft Middle. Additional Cambridge programs are offered at Cane Ridge and Whites Creek high schools.
“Croft is already a unique school,” said Chief Academic Officer Dr. Jay Steele. “It is the epitome of what we designed the Middle Preps to be. It’s focus on project-based learning and the amazing partnership with the Nashville Zoo keeps students engaged in what they are learning. Now Cambridge will take the school to the next level with brand new opportunities for students.”
Nelson added, “The Cambridge curriculum will engage Croft students in active and creative learning and will enhance the academic structures that already exist at the school. The school is a perfect fit for this program, as are the Middle Preps in general.”
The mission of the Middle Preps of Nashville is for students to “experience rigorous academics, engaging activities and creative arts in a safe environment with caring and nurturing adults.” The Cambridge programs supports this, giving middle school students a holistic understanding of the core subjects, with focuses on enquiry, problem solving and next-level thinking. The Cambridge programs helps students see the world from an international point of view and promotes cross-cultural understanding.
“We have been very intentional about expanding advanced academic offerings in the Middle Preps,” said Dr. Steele. “We offer high school credit courses in every middle school and aim to have every student earn at least one high school credit before leaving eighth grade. Cambridge is the perfect addition.
Once they leave middle school, all Metro students have access to high-quality advanced academic programs in high school. They can earn the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Diploma at Overton, Cane Ridge, McGavock and Whites Creek. Hillsboro and Hunters Lane High Schools offer the International Baccalaureate program, with Antioch High School soon to join them. Nearly all Metro high schools offer Advanced Placement classes through the College Board, including MNPS Virtual School, giving every student the opportunity to earn college credit in High School.
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