Why Father Ryan?

 YOU WILL BE CHALLENGED

• Average class size: 16
• 4 levels of learning to meet the needs of all students
• 200+ total course offerings
• 82 courses at Honors level or above
• 28 AP Courses
• 9 Dual Enrollment Courses
• Hayes Scholars Program to challenge and support top-performing students
• More National Merit Honorees each of the past three years than any other Catholic School in Tennessee; 200+ Honorees since 2000
• For more than 30 years, Father Ryan has offered Educational Support Programs for students with learning differences

Personalized Learning

 YOU WILL BE INSPIRED    

• Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
• 80 full-time faculty members
• 40:37 teacher breakdown (male to female)
• 66 full-time employees with 10+  years at Father Ryan
• 66% faculty hold advanced degrees
• Our teachers come from different and diverse academic and professional backgrounds, including a GRAMMY-nominated singer, NASA engineer, TSSAA Hall of Fame Coach, and Diocese of Nashville Teacher of the Year

Curriculum

 YOU WILL LIVE YOUR FAITH

Father Ryan partners with families to support the formation of the whole child - academically, emotionally, spiritually, and socially.

• Yearly class retreats
• Optional daily Mass offered before school
• ALL backgrounds and faiths are welcome
• $2+ million raised for the American Cancer Society through Relay For Life
• 40,557 service hours completed by the student body in 2024-2025
• 313 Unique service organizations supported by Father Ryan students
• 13,372 cans collected and distributed to local food pantries during the 2025 student-led canned food drive
• Mission trips during spring and summer breaks

Faith & Service

YOU WILL EMBRACE YOUR POTENTIAL

Father Ryan student-athletes gain valuable experiences and learn lifelong skills like discipline, selflessness, and teamwork through their time as athletes.

• 31 athletic teams
• No-cut sports in each season
• 71 team State Championships
• 177 individual State Championships
• 1963: the year that Father Ryan became the first school to integrate sports in the South
• Behind the Crest sports journalism program for students interested in journalism, sports marketing, and/or broadcasting
• 3 coaches inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame
• 15 student-athletes from the Class of 2025 signed to compete at the next level

Athletics

YOU WILL DISCOVER YOUR PATH

Students have more than 40 clubs and activities where they can expand their artistic skills, experience new cultures, grow in their faith, explore potential careers, and so much more.

• 40+ clubs and organizations
• 88% student participation in clubs and activities
• Largest student-led Relay For Life, per capita, in the world
• Annual opportunities to start your own club

Clubs & Organizations

YOU WILL BE FAMILY

Daily life at Father Ryan is filled with fun, one-of-a-kind traditions born from nearly 100 years of Irish students.

• 815+ students
  • 130 different schools represented
  • 65 ZIP codes
• 43-acre campus
• 6 Houses. All Irish.
  • Each student is a member of one of our six Houses: Elliston, Emerald, Immaculata, Norwood, Oak, and Trinity
  • 24% of students serve in a leadership role through the House System
• 100s of ways to have a unique Father Ryan experience
  • Cheer for the Irish in “The Jungle” at games, led by Ryan Man
  • Compete in the annual talent show
  • Experience Christmas at Father Ryan
  • Enjoy break and lunch with your friends on the Academic Lawn

House System