Why Choose Father Ryan High School?

List of 1 items.

  • Exceptional College Prep Academics

    ACADEMICS

    • Average class size: 16
    • 4 levels of learning to meet the needs of all students
    • 202 number of total course offerings
    • 80 courses at Honors Level or above
    • 27 AP Courses
    • More National Merit Honorees each of the past 3 years than any other Catholic School in Tennessee. 190+ Honorees since 2000.
    • For more than 30 years, Father Ryan has offered Cooperative and Academic Support Programs for students with learning differences.

List of 1 items.

  • Dedicated to Excellence in Teaching

    FACULTY & STAFF     

    • Teacher-student ratio: 10:1
    • 78 full-time faculty members
      • 43:36 teacher breakdown (male to female)
    • 68% faculty hold advanced degrees
    • Our teachers come from different and diverse academic and professional backgrounds, including a GRAMMY-nominated singer, a NASA engineer, a TSSAA Hall of Fame Coach, and a Diocese of Nashville Teacher of the Year

List of 1 items.

  • Personalized College Counseling

    DEDICATED COLLEGE COUNSELOR FOR ALL 4 YEARS

    • 100% admitted to colleges and universities
    • $24 million in scholarships offered to the Class of 2022
    • 3 college counselors with experience at the collegiate counseling level

List of 1 items.

  • Faith in Action

    PERSONAL GROWTH THROUGH FAITH AND SERVICE
    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
    • $1.5 million raised for the American Cancer Society through Relay For Life
    • 10,076 service hours performed by the Class of 2022
    • 21,928 cans collected and distributed to local food pantries during the 2022 student-led canned food drive
    • 40 local service partners
    • Mission trips during spring and summer breaks

List of 1 items.

  • Championship Athletic Programs

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

    • 30 athletic teams
      • No-cut sports in each season
    • 65 team state championships
    • 125+ individual state championships
    • 72% student body participation
    • 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

List of 1 items.

  • Outstanding Programs for Aspiring Artists

    INSPIRING VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTISTS
    Participation in the arts is a key element of a well-rounded and comprehensive education.

    • 32 Visual and Performing Arts courses offered
    • 44% of students participate in our Arts Program
    • 4 Choirs led by GRAMMY-nominated singer
    • Award-winning Marching Band, Drumline, and Color Guard
    • 4 levels of dance instruction, including our competitive Father Ryan Dance Team
    • 2 annual performances - a fall play and a spring musical - produced by The Purple Masque Players, with over 100 students involved in each production
    • Teaching artists work with our visual arts students, working professionally on their craft while teaching in the classroom

List of 1 items.

  • Extracurriculars to Match Every Interest

    LIFE IS NEVER DULL IN RYAN NATION!
    Students have more than 35 clubs and activities where they can expand their artistic skills, experience new cultures, grow in their faith, explore potential careers, and so much more.

    • 35+ clubs
    • 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

List of 1 items.

  • Traditions That Foster Friendship

    IT'S ALWAYS A GREAT DAY TO BE IRISH
    Daily life at Father Ryan is filled with fun, one-of-a-kind traditions born from nearly 100 years of Irish students.

    • 850+ students
      • 134 different schools represented
      • 62 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

List of 1 items.

  • Irish for Life

    TRADITION NEVER GRADUATES
    Your Father Ryan experience doesn't end when you receive your diploma. Our expansive network ensures that you will always be connected to fellow alumni in a multitude of fields across the country. And with numerous in-person events each year from Homecoming to Reunion Weekend, there is always a chance to get together and reminisce with old friends. 

    • 13,000+ graduates
    • Annual Alumni Events
      • Homecoming
      • Veterans Breakfast
      • Young Alumni Lunch
      • Ryan Nation Night (in-person and virtual)
      • Reunion Weekend 
        • Lou Graham '56 Alumni Golf Tournament 
        • Alumni Reception
        • Class Reunion Parties
        • Golden Grad Mass and Induction Ceremony
    Click here to view our notable alumni.
Father Ryan High School