5 Reasons This Idyllic TN Private School Might Be Right for Your Family
A meaningful high school experience should do more than prepare students for what comes next. At St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School, a close-knit community, advanced courses in all disciplines, and a unique partnership with the University of the South give students room to discover what they’re capable of. Image: Oliver Maddox
College prep receives a whole new meaning at St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School (SAS). Here, qualified students can travel just up the road to take a class at Sewanee and earn college credit before graduation. Back on SAS’s campus, students might also spend the afternoon mountain biking or diving into a hands-on research project. This Tennessee school offers a refreshingly different path through high school.
Students Take College Courses Before Graduation
College prep is one thing, but actually stepping into a college classroom while you’re still in high school is another. At SAS, qualified juniors and seniors can take actual college courses at Sewanee: The University of the South, at no extra cost to families.
“Our partnership with the University is beyond a dual enrollment program, and it’s not just a course defined as college-level,” says Chris Teran, assistant head for strategic enrollment at SAS. “They are completing college courses, and students learn a new level of responsibility alongside college students and college professors.”
Students earn full college credit while also getting a firsthand look at the expectations of college life. They learn to manage their coursework, build relationships with professors, and keep up with their high school responsibilities — all while still receiving support from SAS.
“Our students get to sample what it’s like to be a college student: the expectations, the level of rigor, establishing a relationship with a professor, asking for help, and making sure they’re keeping up on those responsibilities in addition to all the other ones they have as a high school student,” adds Chris.
This experience also gives students access to specialized courses they might not otherwise encounter in high school and can help them explore potential areas of study before college. Not to mention, these credits transfer to universities, shortening the path to a degree.
The Campus Turns School Life & Learning Into an Adventure
Situated on the Cumberland Plateau, St. Andrew’s-Sewanee’s expansive campus is filled with trails, lakes, and natural spaces that invite students to get outside and connect with one another and nature.
“We have a saying here that part of a student’s wellness is to get outside, to move a lot, and to ‘touch green,’” Chris explains.
That philosophy shows up in countless ways. For example, students can fish, kayak, hike, swim, and explore the campus trail system, while weekend programming can take boarding students white-water rafting, rock climbing, or further into the surrounding landscape.
The outdoors also becomes a jumping-off point for learning. Through the school’s Cumberland Scholars Program, students conduct independent, place-based research on topics ranging from local water quality to regional music culture, again working with professors at the University of the South. The campus even has an Indigenous archaeological site dating back roughly 7,000 to 8,000 years that students can study as part of the curriculum.
“All of our outdoor programs are designed to bring in beginners, so we tell the students this is a great way for them to try something new,” Chris adds.
An Education Around Personal Interests
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach at St. Andrew’s-Sewanee, and the school’s academic experience certainly reflects that. Along with a rigorous college-prep curriculum, students have room to really lean into the subjects, activities, and experiences that genuinely interest them.
“There’s not just one type of experience here,” Chris says. “If students want to pursue something very heavy in the arts, they can do that. If they want to pursue something heavy in the sciences, they can do that, too. If they wanted to do that along with some of our outdoor adventure programs, they can do both.”
The result is an education shaped around the student — not the other way around.
Students Are Known, Supported & Challenged to Try Something New
For students who thrive in a close-knit environment, St. Andrew’s-Sewanee offers a community where it’s hard to get lost in the crowd. With a deliberately small student body, students are known by their teachers and peers, encouraged to participate, and supported as they figure out what’s next.
“Our students learn quickly that SAS is a safe place for trying something new, from athletics to arts to academics,” explains Head of School Karl Sjolund. “We value process equally to product, and we find our students uncover joy for learning and adventure they didn’t know they had.”
Families Choose the Experience That Fits Them
St. Andrew’s-Sewanee also offers something especially appealing for families who want the benefits of a boarding-school experience without sending their student across the country. With both boarding and day school options, parents have the flexibility to choose what works best for their child’s needs.
“For families who live in Nashville and the surrounding areas, we are a boarding school that’s very close, but also feels like you’re going away to school,” Chris says.
This setting helps make a student’s experience feel distinct, offering space to settle into a community that feels removed from the everyday pace of home life. At the same time, the campus remains within easy reach of families in the Nashville area.
At St. Andrew’s-Sewanee, college preparation undoubtedly looks a little different. Students can earn college credit before graduation, spend their days immersed in the outdoors, pursue the subjects they love, and grow within a community that knows them well. For families seeking a private school experience that goes beyond the traditional path, SAS offers a compelling starting point.
St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School is located at 290 Quintard Rd, Sewanee, TN 37375. To learn more, visit sasweb.org or call (931) 598-5651.
This article is sponsored by St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School.
Brianna Goebel
Brianna is StyleBlueprint’s Associate Editor and Sponsored Content Manager. She is an avid fan of iced coffee and spends her free time reading romance novels.
