Metro Council votes to buy land for new school in Antioch

ANTIOCH, Tenn. (WKRN) — A new elementary school is a step closer to being built in the Antioch neighborhood of Nashville as community leaders work to accommodate its growing population.

“Southeastern Davidson County and the Antioch high school cluster represent the fastest growing enrollment in Metro Nashville Public Schools, particularly in elementary school enrollment,” said District 6 school board member Cheryl Mayes told Metro Council during a meeting in early August.

Councilmembers passed the third reading of an ordinance Tuesday, approving three option agreements authorizing the purchase of properties for a new elementary school in Antioch.

“The new elementary school will not only improve the learning environment for our students in the southeast but will also serve as an important catalyst for a needed element and the continued growth of Antioch,” Mayes said.

She stated that capacity for elementary schools in the Antioch cluster is 4,119 seats across six schools, totaling 686 students per school.

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“2024 school enrollment for elementary schools in the cluster is projected to be 4,743 placing the cluster at 115.1% capacity. The range of over-utilization in the cluster across the six existing schools range from 104% to 132.9% capacity. In 2024 enrollment is projected to increase by 624 students, essentially the enrollment of an entire school. The cluster currently utilizes 41 portable classrooms,” explained Mayes. “To releive this capacity issue the proposed new school would add an additional 800 elementary seats to the cluster. Coupled with the addition of 200 seats at the new Lakeview elementary replacment, the cluster’s capacity will increase by 1,000 seats.”

The land is set to be purchased off Bell Road in the Rural Hill area.

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