St. Nicholas School

🌟 Key Highlights: St. Nicholas School

St. Nicholas School (SNS) is a private, independent Episcopal day school in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It is committed to a student-centered, rigorous academic program founded on Christian principles, focusing on nurturing each child’s intellectual, physical, and spiritual development in a joyful and inclusive environment.

🏫 Overview

• Type: Private / Independent Episcopal School

• Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee (Red Bank area)

• Grades Served: Preschool (PK3) – 5th Grade

• Enrollment: Approximately 175–200 students

• Core Mission: To educate the whole child in a Christian environment, inspiring intellectual curiosity, spiritual growth, and a lifelong love of learning.

• Accreditation: SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools) and member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES).

• Focus: Dedicated early childhood and elementary education (PK3–5th Grade).

✅ What Makes the School Unique?

SNS is distinguished by its Episcopal identity, its focus on project-based learning, and its preparation for middle school:

• Episcopal Identity & Inclusivity: The school is an Episcopal community that emphasizes inclusivity, service, and respect for diversity. Students attend weekly Chapel and participate in age-appropriate service-learning projects.

• Project-Based Learning (PBL): The curriculum uses Project-Based Learning extensively, encouraging students to engage in hands-on, collaborative inquiry and problem-solving, which fosters critical thinking and deeper understanding.

• Whole Child Development: The curriculum is holistic, incorporating strong academic fundamentals in reading, writing, and math alongside robust programs in Visual Arts, Music, Spanish, Technology, and Physical Education.

• Strong Middle School Preparation: Graduates are historically well-prepared for and accepted into the area’s top independent middle schools, including Baylor School, McCallie School, and Girls Preparatory School (GPS), as well as area magnet schools.

• The “Fifth Grade Experience”: The 5th grade serves as a capstone leadership year, offering unique privileges and responsibilities to prepare students for the transition to middle school.

• Emphasis on Community: Focuses heavily on developing strong character traits and fostering a nurturing, close-knit, and joyful school culture where all students feel valued.

📞 Contact Information