Cora Howe Exceptional School

At Benton Hall Academy in Nashville, we serve students with learning differences in grades 3 through 12. We tailor instruction to each student and use non-traditional learning opportunities to support academic, social, behavioral, and emotional growth. Our program helps students prepare for what comes next, including transitions to higher education or the workplace. Families exploring specialized education can review our admissions information and speak with the school about whether Benton Hall is a suitable setting for their student.

We are a nonprofit therapeutic day school serving grades 1–12. Our individualized program supports students with emotional, psychiatric, learning, intellectual, and developmental needs, including autism and dual diagnoses. Counseling, social work, behavior support, and transition-readiness instruction are part of the school program.

At Harris-Hillman School, we serve Davidson County students ages 3–22 through three programs shaped around individual learning needs. Our Harris-Hillman Program supports students with multiple and complex disabilities through individualized instruction, a modified curriculum, adapted learning environments, assistive technology, and a tangible core communication system. Students also take part in art, computer lab, music, physical education, community-based training, field trips, communication and language therapies, physical and occupational therapies, and vision and hearing services. These supports make learning accessible across classroom activities, communication, movement, and experiences beyond campus. Our two inclusive pre-kindergarten classrooms serve children ages 3 and 4 with a range of instructional needs, alongside some neurotypical classmates. For students who have completed high school with an Alternate Academic Diploma, our Community-Based Transition Program builds skills for independent living, employment, and postsecondary education or training through learning in community settings. Students practice skills where they will use them and work toward greater participation and independence. Students join the Harris-Hillman Program and Community-Based Transition Program through their IEP team rather than through typical school enrollment. Families who want to explore whether our setting may fit their student can begin with the student’s current teacher or case manager, who can discuss needs and placement with the IEP team. Our school day runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. We are a public school serving Davidson County within Metro Nashville Public Schools.