University School of Nashville, Nashville

University School of Nashville is a private K-12 educational institution that was established back in 1888 by the Peabody Board of Trustees. Initially, it was known as Winthrop Model School, but in 1915, it underwent a name change to become Peabody Demonstration School. This change was part of its affiliation with Peabody College, with the primary purpose of showcasing how a school operates effectively.

Dr. Richard Thomas Alexander was the visionary behind the school's foundation. However, in 1974, the demonstration school was closed, a few years before Peabody merged with Vanderbilt University, which was situated right next door. At that point, the school was acquired by the parents of its students, and a decision was made through a student vote to rebrand it as University School of Nashville.

Today, the University School of Nashville stands as one of the most prestigious independent schools in the Nashville, Tennessee area. It has a notable history of producing a high number of students recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program when compared to other high schools in Nashville. For instance, in the Class of 2011, which consisted of 91 students, there were 12 semifinalists and 13 commended students acknowledged by the program. In 2010, both of Tennessee's Presidential Scholars hailed from the University School of Nashville.

A significant expansion of the school occurred in 1998 when an 80-acre external campus, known as the River Campus, was acquired. This expansion was primarily aimed at accommodating various athletic facilities. Currently, the River Campus boasts a baseball field, a softball field, a full-sized track, and five multi-purpose fields, which are used for sports like men's and women's soccer, lacrosse, and ultimate frisbee on a rotating basis.