Flourish: Where Learning is a Joy
Flourish: Where Learning is a Joy
Flourish: Where Learning is a Joy
Looking for the right middle school for your child? Flourish might be a great fit: in our microschool, learning is hands-on and caring teachers support each student.
Looking for the right middle school for your child? Flourish might be a great fit: in our microschool, learning is hands-on and caring teachers support each student.
Scholarships
(via TN ESA)
MSA Accredited
A School Designed
for Modern Life
We are a modern one-room schoolhouse, small by design, intentional in structure, and built for today’s world.
Relationships
In our small-school setting, every student is known by name. Strong relationships create a safe, supportive community where students can thrive.
Relationships
In our small-school setting, every student is known by name. Strong relationships create a safe, supportive community where students can thrive.
Relationships
In our small-school setting, every student is known by name. Strong relationships create a safe, supportive community where students can thrive.
Superpowers
Students gain skills like planning, strategy, collaboration, perseverance, and more.
Superpowers
Students gain skills like planning, strategy, collaboration, perseverance, and more.
Superpowers
Students gain skills like planning, strategy, collaboration, perseverance, and more.
Hear From Our Community
“Flourish allows students to grow, develop, and learn at their own pace!”
“Flourish allows students to grow, develop, and learn at their own pace!”
Evelyn, Parent
Evelyn, Parent
7th Grade
7th Grade
“Kids can develop their own voices as thinkers and communicators.”
“Kids can develop their own voices as thinkers and communicators.”
Dana, Teacher
Dana, Teacher
6th Grade
6th Grade
Our Mission is to Make Learning Joyful for Students
At Flourish, students gain the superpowers to succeed in middle school, high school, college and beyond.
What makes us different:
• Microschool: every teacher knows every student well
• Experiential learning: real-world projects enable deeper inquiry and problem-solving
• Inspiring teachers: who support students’ growth
At Flourish, students gain the superpowers to succeed in middle school, high school, college and beyond.
What makes us different:
• Microschool: every teacher knows every student well
• Experiential learning: real-world projects enable deeper inquiry and problem-solving
• Inspiring teachers: who support students’ growth
Experiential Learning at Flourish
Learning by Doing
for deeper comprehension & mastery
for deeper comprehension & mastery
Guided & Self-Directed
fosters greater accountability
21
21
st
st
Century
Century
collaboration, planning, mathematics, writing, producing, presenting, and more
Flourish students learn by doing.
We call this Pursuits.
Flourish students learn by doing.
We call this Pursuits.
Flourish students learn by doing.
We call this Pursuits.
Some Recent Flourish Pursuits:
Exploring phases of the moon
Building models to track lunar changes.
Golf club
Cooking club
Designing a playground
Exploring phases of the moon
Building models to track lunar changes.
Golf club
Cooking club
Designing a playground
Exploring phases of the moon
Building models to track lunar changes.
Golf club
Cooking club
Designing a playground
What Parents Ask The Most
You’ve got questions; we’re here to help.
Is Flourish accredited?
We are approved as a Class 1 independent school by the state of Tennessee, and have our preliminary accreditation through Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSA), one of the country’s leading accreditors of independent schools. We expect to finalize MSA accreditation this Fall.
I know Flourish is a private school. What is the tuition?
Our goal at Flourish is to be affordable for all families. All enrolled families will be asked to apply for an Education Spending Account through the state of Tennessee beginning Spring, 2026 and we will work with you to provide scholarships as necessary.
How large is the school, and what grades does it serve?
Flourish is an intentionally small school model, and will serve between 75 & 100 5th-8th graders next year. This year, we are opening for up to 35 6th & 7th graders.
What are the school hours?
Flourish’s school day is 8:15–3:15, and follows the exact same calendar as MNPS & Smithson-Craighead Academy. Our first day of school is Tuesday, August 5.
Is there Before Care & Aftercare?
We do not provide our own Before Care or Aftercare programs, but are working to partner with Smithson-Craighead for early care & the Madison Community Center for daily Aftercare. Our doors open daily at 7:30 for students who need to arrive early.
Does Flourish provide transportation?
We do not. Families are responsible for providing transportation to and from school. For field trips and learning excursions, we contract with a local bus company to provide in-day transportation.
Does Flourish provide breakfast & lunch?
We do not have access to a prep kitchen, so Flourish students are expected to bring a lunch. We will be providing healthy snacks (such as fruit) daily to supplement home-prepared lunches, and our student-led lunch team will be responsible for planning additional investments to support student nutrition and overall experience.
Is there a dress code or uniform?
There is no uniform, and students are permitted to express themselves however they wish through their choice of outfits. We do have a small set of restrictions in our Parent Handbook, which are focused primarily on minimizing distraction.
What curricula does Flourish use?
We are building an innovative, learn-by-doing middle school model with the explicit goal of creating self-confident, resourceful learners, and with that we are building our own program utilizing elements of existing curricula and real-world resources with our project-based learning approach. We will not be using textbooks, workbooks, worksheets, or packets; it’s our belief that true learning best happens when students work with concepts and understandings to solve interesting challenges.
What role does technology play?
At Flourish, we believe that students must learn how to use technology responsibly and purposefully, and that the professional worlds they encounter down the line will expect them to have fluency with the most modern technological advancements. Every Flourish student will receive a laptop that they will have access to throughout the day for research and resources, but our goal is to only use technology when needed and to minimize the amount of 1:1 screentime throughout the day.
Will there be a daily recess or sports? What about enrichments?
Despite our small school model, we think it is critical to offer enrichments and organized physical activity that meets students’ interests. WIth that, we will be partnering with coaches, artists, & other community members to offer Clubs three days a week. Clubs will reflect student interests and curiosities, and will rotate every 9 weeks to remain fresh. Clubs could include focus areas like pickleball, 3v3 soccer, guitar, stained glass artistry, calligraphy, and cooking, to give a few examples. We will also be partnering with local sports leagues to give students and option for organized sports with their friends, including soccer, volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse.
What Parents Ask The Most
You’ve got questions; we’re here to help.
Is Flourish accredited?
We are approved as a Class 1 independent school by the state of Tennessee, and have our preliminary accreditation through Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSA), one of the country’s leading accreditors of independent schools. We expect to finalize MSA accreditation this Fall.
I know Flourish is a private school. What is the tuition?
Our goal at Flourish is to be affordable for all families. All enrolled families will be asked to apply for an Education Spending Account through the state of Tennessee beginning Spring, 2026 and we will work with you to provide scholarships as necessary.
How large is the school, and what grades does it serve?
Flourish is an intentionally small school model, and will serve between 75 & 100 5th-8th graders next year. This year, we are opening for up to 35 6th & 7th graders.
What are the school hours?
Flourish’s school day is 8:15–3:15, and follows the exact same calendar as MNPS & Smithson-Craighead Academy. Our first day of school is Tuesday, August 5.
Is there Before Care & Aftercare?
We do not provide our own Before Care or Aftercare programs, but are working to partner with Smithson-Craighead for early care & the Madison Community Center for daily Aftercare. Our doors open daily at 7:30 for students who need to arrive early.
Does Flourish provide transportation?
We do not. Families are responsible for providing transportation to and from school. For field trips and learning excursions, we contract with a local bus company to provide in-day transportation.
Does Flourish provide breakfast & lunch?
We do not have access to a prep kitchen, so Flourish students are expected to bring a lunch. We will be providing healthy snacks (such as fruit) daily to supplement home-prepared lunches, and our student-led lunch team will be responsible for planning additional investments to support student nutrition and overall experience.
Is there a dress code or uniform?
There is no uniform, and students are permitted to express themselves however they wish through their choice of outfits. We do have a small set of restrictions in our Parent Handbook, which are focused primarily on minimizing distraction.
What curricula does Flourish use?
We are building an innovative, learn-by-doing middle school model with the explicit goal of creating self-confident, resourceful learners, and with that we are building our own program utilizing elements of existing curricula and real-world resources with our project-based learning approach. We will not be using textbooks, workbooks, worksheets, or packets; it’s our belief that true learning best happens when students work with concepts and understandings to solve interesting challenges.
What role does technology play?
At Flourish, we believe that students must learn how to use technology responsibly and purposefully, and that the professional worlds they encounter down the line will expect them to have fluency with the most modern technological advancements. Every Flourish student will receive a laptop that they will have access to throughout the day for research and resources, but our goal is to only use technology when needed and to minimize the amount of 1:1 screentime throughout the day.
Will there be a daily recess or sports? What about enrichments?
Despite our small school model, we think it is critical to offer enrichments and organized physical activity that meets students’ interests. WIth that, we will be partnering with coaches, artists, & other community members to offer Clubs three days a week. Clubs will reflect student interests and curiosities, and will rotate every 9 weeks to remain fresh. Clubs could include focus areas like pickleball, 3v3 soccer, guitar, stained glass artistry, calligraphy, and cooking, to give a few examples. We will also be partnering with local sports leagues to give students and option for organized sports with their friends, including soccer, volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse.
What Parents Ask The Most
You’ve got questions; we’re here to help.
Is Flourish accredited?
We are approved as a Class 1 independent school by the state of Tennessee, and have our preliminary accreditation through Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSA), one of the country’s leading accreditors of independent schools. We expect to finalize MSA accreditation this Fall.
I know Flourish is a private school. What is the tuition?
Our goal at Flourish is to be affordable for all families. All enrolled families will be asked to apply for an Education Spending Account through the state of Tennessee beginning Spring, 2026 and we will work with you to provide scholarships as necessary.
How large is the school, and what grades does it serve?
Flourish is an intentionally small school model, and will serve between 75 & 100 5th-8th graders next year. This year, we are opening for up to 35 6th & 7th graders.
What are the school hours?
Flourish’s school day is 8:15–3:15, and follows the exact same calendar as MNPS & Smithson-Craighead Academy. Our first day of school is Tuesday, August 5.
Is there Before Care & Aftercare?
We do not provide our own Before Care or Aftercare programs, but are working to partner with Smithson-Craighead for early care & the Madison Community Center for daily Aftercare. Our doors open daily at 7:30 for students who need to arrive early.
Does Flourish provide transportation?
We do not. Families are responsible for providing transportation to and from school. For field trips and learning excursions, we contract with a local bus company to provide in-day transportation.
Does Flourish provide breakfast & lunch?
We do not have access to a prep kitchen, so Flourish students are expected to bring a lunch. We will be providing healthy snacks (such as fruit) daily to supplement home-prepared lunches, and our student-led lunch team will be responsible for planning additional investments to support student nutrition and overall experience.
Is there a dress code or uniform?
There is no uniform, and students are permitted to express themselves however they wish through their choice of outfits. We do have a small set of restrictions in our Parent Handbook, which are focused primarily on minimizing distraction.
What curricula does Flourish use?
We are building an innovative, learn-by-doing middle school model with the explicit goal of creating self-confident, resourceful learners, and with that we are building our own program utilizing elements of existing curricula and real-world resources with our project-based learning approach. We will not be using textbooks, workbooks, worksheets, or packets; it’s our belief that true learning best happens when students work with concepts and understandings to solve interesting challenges.
What role does technology play?
At Flourish, we believe that students must learn how to use technology responsibly and purposefully, and that the professional worlds they encounter down the line will expect them to have fluency with the most modern technological advancements. Every Flourish student will receive a laptop that they will have access to throughout the day for research and resources, but our goal is to only use technology when needed and to minimize the amount of 1:1 screentime throughout the day.
Will there be a daily recess or sports? What about enrichments?
Despite our small school model, we think it is critical to offer enrichments and organized physical activity that meets students’ interests. WIth that, we will be partnering with coaches, artists, & other community members to offer Clubs three days a week. Clubs will reflect student interests and curiosities, and will rotate every 9 weeks to remain fresh. Clubs could include focus areas like pickleball, 3v3 soccer, guitar, stained glass artistry, calligraphy, and cooking, to give a few examples. We will also be partnering with local sports leagues to give students and option for organized sports with their friends, including soccer, volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse.
What Parents Ask The Most
You’ve got questions; we’re here to help.
Is Flourish accredited?
We are approved as a Class 1 independent school by the state of Tennessee, and have our preliminary accreditation through Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSA), one of the country’s leading accreditors of independent schools. We expect to finalize MSA accreditation this Fall.
I know Flourish is a private school. What is the tuition?
Our goal at Flourish is to be affordable for all families. All enrolled families will be asked to apply for an Education Spending Account through the state of Tennessee beginning Spring, 2026 and we will work with you to provide scholarships as necessary.
How large is the school, and what grades does it serve?
Flourish is an intentionally small school model, and will serve between 75 & 100 5th-8th graders next year. This year, we are opening for up to 35 6th & 7th graders.
What are the school hours?
Flourish’s school day is 8:15–3:15, and follows the exact same calendar as MNPS & Smithson-Craighead Academy. Our first day of school is Tuesday, August 5.
Is there Before Care & Aftercare?
We do not provide our own Before Care or Aftercare programs, but are working to partner with Smithson-Craighead for early care & the Madison Community Center for daily Aftercare. Our doors open daily at 7:30 for students who need to arrive early.
Does Flourish provide transportation?
We do not. Families are responsible for providing transportation to and from school. For field trips and learning excursions, we contract with a local bus company to provide in-day transportation.
Does Flourish provide breakfast & lunch?
We do not have access to a prep kitchen, so Flourish students are expected to bring a lunch. We will be providing healthy snacks (such as fruit) daily to supplement home-prepared lunches, and our student-led lunch team will be responsible for planning additional investments to support student nutrition and overall experience.
Is there a dress code or uniform?
There is no uniform, and students are permitted to express themselves however they wish through their choice of outfits. We do have a small set of restrictions in our Parent Handbook, which are focused primarily on minimizing distraction.
What curricula does Flourish use?
We are building an innovative, learn-by-doing middle school model with the explicit goal of creating self-confident, resourceful learners, and with that we are building our own program utilizing elements of existing curricula and real-world resources with our project-based learning approach. We will not be using textbooks, workbooks, worksheets, or packets; it’s our belief that true learning best happens when students work with concepts and understandings to solve interesting challenges.
What role does technology play?
At Flourish, we believe that students must learn how to use technology responsibly and purposefully, and that the professional worlds they encounter down the line will expect them to have fluency with the most modern technological advancements. Every Flourish student will receive a laptop that they will have access to throughout the day for research and resources, but our goal is to only use technology when needed and to minimize the amount of 1:1 screentime throughout the day.
Will there be a daily recess or sports? What about enrichments?
Despite our small school model, we think it is critical to offer enrichments and organized physical activity that meets students’ interests. WIth that, we will be partnering with coaches, artists, & other community members to offer Clubs three days a week. Clubs will reflect student interests and curiosities, and will rotate every 9 weeks to remain fresh. Clubs could include focus areas like pickleball, 3v3 soccer, guitar, stained glass artistry, calligraphy, and cooking, to give a few examples. We will also be partnering with local sports leagues to give students and option for organized sports with their friends, including soccer, volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse.
What Parents Ask The Most
You’ve got questions; we’re here to help.
Is Flourish accredited?
We are approved as a Class 1 independent school by the state of Tennessee, and have our preliminary accreditation through Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSA), one of the country’s leading accreditors of independent schools. We expect to finalize MSA accreditation this Fall.
I know Flourish is a private school. What is the tuition?
Our goal at Flourish is to be affordable for all families. All enrolled families will be asked to apply for an Education Spending Account through the state of Tennessee beginning Spring, 2026 and we will work with you to provide scholarships as necessary.
How large is the school, and what grades does it serve?
Flourish is an intentionally small school model, and will serve between 75 & 100 5th-8th graders next year. This year, we are opening for up to 35 6th & 7th graders.
What are the school hours?
Flourish’s school day is 8:15–3:15, and follows the exact same calendar as MNPS & Smithson-Craighead Academy. Our first day of school is Tuesday, August 5.
Is there Before Care & Aftercare?
We do not provide our own Before Care or Aftercare programs, but are working to partner with Smithson-Craighead for early care & the Madison Community Center for daily Aftercare. Our doors open daily at 7:30 for students who need to arrive early.
Does Flourish provide transportation?
We do not. Families are responsible for providing transportation to and from school. For field trips and learning excursions, we contract with a local bus company to provide in-day transportation.
Does Flourish provide breakfast & lunch?
We do not have access to a prep kitchen, so Flourish students are expected to bring a lunch. We will be providing healthy snacks (such as fruit) daily to supplement home-prepared lunches, and our student-led lunch team will be responsible for planning additional investments to support student nutrition and overall experience.
Is there a dress code or uniform?
There is no uniform, and students are permitted to express themselves however they wish through their choice of outfits. We do have a small set of restrictions in our Parent Handbook, which are focused primarily on minimizing distraction.
What curricula does Flourish use?
We are building an innovative, learn-by-doing middle school model with the explicit goal of creating self-confident, resourceful learners, and with that we are building our own program utilizing elements of existing curricula and real-world resources with our project-based learning approach. We will not be using textbooks, workbooks, worksheets, or packets; it’s our belief that true learning best happens when students work with concepts and understandings to solve interesting challenges.
What role does technology play?
At Flourish, we believe that students must learn how to use technology responsibly and purposefully, and that the professional worlds they encounter down the line will expect them to have fluency with the most modern technological advancements. Every Flourish student will receive a laptop that they will have access to throughout the day for research and resources, but our goal is to only use technology when needed and to minimize the amount of 1:1 screentime throughout the day.
Will there be a daily recess or sports? What about enrichments?
Despite our small school model, we think it is critical to offer enrichments and organized physical activity that meets students’ interests. WIth that, we will be partnering with coaches, artists, & other community members to offer Clubs three days a week. Clubs will reflect student interests and curiosities, and will rotate every 9 weeks to remain fresh. Clubs could include focus areas like pickleball, 3v3 soccer, guitar, stained glass artistry, calligraphy, and cooking, to give a few examples. We will also be partnering with local sports leagues to give students and option for organized sports with their friends, including soccer, volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse.
Ready To Schedule Your Visit?
Where Joyful Learning Meets Curious Children
We’re now accepting scheduled visits to meet our teachers and tour our classrooms. Come meet us and find out how Flourish can help your child grow.
Ready To Schedule Your Visit?
Where Joyful Learning Meets Curious Children
We’re now accepting scheduled visits to meet our teachers and tour our classrooms. Come meet us and find out how Flourish can help your child grow.
Ready To Schedule Your Visit?
Where Joyful Learning Meets Curious Children
We’re now accepting scheduled visits to meet our teachers and tour our classrooms. Come meet us and find out how Flourish can help your child grow.
Ready To Schedule Your Visit?
Where Joyful Learning Meets Curious Children
We’re now accepting scheduled visits to meet our teachers and tour our classrooms. Come meet us and find out how Flourish can help your child grow.
Want to join the team redefining middle school?
Imagine teaching where you get to know every student. Where creativity matters more than test scores. Where AI enhances teaching instead of replacing it. We’re building the middle school you’ve always wanted to teach in.
