Nestled in the heart of Gallatin, Sumner Academy has established itself as a cornerstone of academic excellence and character development for students from Pre-K through 8th grade. With a strong commitment to nurturing both intellectual growth and personal integrity, the school offers a well-rounded, rigorous curriculum in a supportive, close-knit environment. Sumner Academy blends traditional values with innovative teaching, creating a foundation that empowers young learners to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
A wide variety of attributes make Sumner Academy stand out above others, from intentional and personalized education and learning techniques to their valuable “hidden curriculum”—lessons on being a good friend, listener and responsible community member. Sumner Academy promotes safety, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. They foster an environment where children are willing to make mistakes, take risks and even fail, yet do so in a place where they are able to learn from their errors and gain support and encouragement from educators who care.
When it comes to Sumner Academy’s staff, there is a defined process for hiring teachers. A demonstrated love for being around children is a top priority—seeking educators who draw inspiration from their students. The school thrives by promoting an environment where all are willing to learn and grow, even the staff. They continually assess themselves as an institution, harboring a growth mindset. Modeling responsibility and innovation is not always an easy task, but Sumner Academy’s educators and administrators aim to hold themselves to the same standard as their students.
Personalized learning goes a long way at Sumner Academy. They intentionally remain a smaller school, with twenty-six students as the maximum per classroom. In their Lower School, there are two teachers in each classroom, allowing individual students to be known as people and also learners, since strengths and challenges are readily apparent in a small setting. This makes it possible for the teachers to adjust classwork, homework and expectations from their students based on their individual needs. Each student will learn the same thing as everyone else, but the personalized teaching approach allows the depth and speed at which they learn to vary. Having two teachers in a classroom also allows one-on-one education when necessary.
In their Middle School, small class sizes and intentional teaching schedules ensure teachers connect with every student each class period. Middle School lessons are interactive, not stationary with a teacher standing in front of the class talking the whole time. By incorporating movement and various stations, students are offered self-paced learning. Time is also set aside each day for tutorials—providing the chance for students to obtain one-on-one insight and education from teachers, ask questions about assignments and ultimately continue on with their day fully equipped and prepared for the tasks ahead of them.
With such an intentional and individualized program, Sumner Academy is able to emphasize a strong academic curriculum that is often above grade level, challenging students while also maintaining a manageable workload. Small class sizes enable teachers to maintain high standards for their students while also offering individual attention. Character building programs are an integral part of the school; being able to teach important values, such as respect, responsibility and empathy, is a top priority. Positive reinforcement, restorative practices and clearly defined behavioral expectations foster emotional maturity and resilience. Clear rules, consistency and daily routines provide security and stability for each student to thrive.
In addition to their extraordinary faculty, Sumner Academy partners with others in the community who pursue excellence, such as the parents of their students. Frequent communication and collaboration with families ensure that students are supported from all sides. From consistent conferences and open grade books to progress reports and direct communication with teachers, parents are provided ample opportunities to walk alongside their children and partner with the school to achieve the best possible education for their children.
For over 50 years, Sumner Academy has been an important part of our community, working continually to serve and give back. From students donating time and materials to local veterans organizations and the United Way to helping local families in need during the holidays, community support and serving are just one more quality that makes Sumner Academy shine in Gallatin. They are passionate about continuing to seek out ways to partner with the community and further their involvement in developing opportunities that stretch even further than the school walls.
Sumner Academy fosters academic excellence, character growth and strong relationships through personalized, purpose-driven education. With dedicated faculty, engaged families and deep community roots, the school creates a nurturing environment where every child is seen, supported and challenged. It’s education shaped by values, partnership and a true commitment to student success, both in and beyond the classroom.
Sumner Academy
464 Nichols Ln, Gallatin
sumneracademy.org
We examine the research and the standards to ensure that we are teaching what needs to be taught for our students to become leaders in their educational journey.