Harding Academy | Community Engagement

Statement of Inclusivity

Because Harding Academy believes that children learn from one another and that such learning may be enhanced by diverse experiences, opinions, and cultures, the school is committed to maintaining a student body and faculty that represent the diverse groups that make up the Nashville community. By encouraging children to appreciate each other’s differences—in race, culture, religion, gender, family structure, and socio-economic levels—the Harding Academy faculty prepares them to become citizens of the global community and the complex, multi-cultural world in which they live.

Community Engagement

At Harding Academy we believe that service learning and community engagement is leadership.

We intentionally create meaningful community engagement opportunities for our students – more than checking a box or going through the motions. True community engagement happens when we match a student’s passions and interests to a need in the community. It is our desire to make a real difference in Nashville and the world, not just to create good feelings or even “teachable moments” for our students. By showing what is good and productive about service learning, we hope to create an environment that will be attractive to others and a beacon of hope in the community.

Service learning empowers students to explore their role in the local community and beyond. At Harding Academy, we believe that authentic service is a form of leadership. Our goal is for students to make a meaningful impact in Nashville and across the globe. By highlighting the value and positive impact of service learning, we aim to foster an environment that inspires others and becomes a beacon of hope in the community.

Whether visiting area childcare centers or collecting food for Second Harvest Food Bank, picking up trash at a local park, or creating crafts with nursing home residents, Harding students learn what it means to be an active citizen in today’s world.

Multicultural Assemblies

Harding Academy celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a school wide assembly!

The event featured a video produced by Geddings ‘25 and Ruaire ‘25 with recitations from Dr. King’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. Representatives from each grade level shared meaningful quotes from Dr. King and reflected on their personal significance. It was truly inspiring to see students from PreK through eighth grade engage so thoughtfully in the program.

As the assembly concluded, we introduced a community-wide challenge to commemorate MLK Day as a time for service, learning, and reflection. We invited students, faculty, and families to make the day meaningful through the following initiatives:

Service Initiatives: Dedicate part of your day to giving back to the community. This could include volunteering, helping a neighbor, completing a special task for a family member, or writing a thoughtful note to someone who makes a difference—such as first responders.
Learning Initiatives: Take time to deepen your understanding of Dr. King’s work and the Civil Rights Movement. This may involve watching a documentary about Dr. King, reading a book such as Martin’s Big Words or attending a local event honoring him.
Reflection Initiatives: Take time to reflect on what you’ve learned about Dr. King. Write a poem or journal entry about what you have learned, create a piece of artwork, write a list of ways you’ll show kindness to others this week at school, at home, on the playing field.