Montgomery Bell Academy

Posted: February 18, 2022

writing this as a member of the greater Nashville community who has interacted with MBA students over the years. MBA needs to get back on track. The rigor is gone. The discipline is gone. The yes sir/no sir respect is gone. Like many other private schools it seems to have lost its identity and may suffer the same fate as other, similar institutions throughout the southeast.

Posted: February 10, 2020

Fair. The school focuses on the few most talented students and athletes. Standardized test preparation is poor at best. College admissions counseling is poor. There is an alcohol problem at this school. Top leadership is lacking in depth of character. The serious student who is not is the top tier rank is not served well,

Posted: February 10, 2020

Posted: February 10, 2020

Strong teachers in English/History/Sciences. Generally weak in Math.

Posted: February 10, 2020

Big party atmosphere in student body. Lot of excessive drinking.

Posted: February 10, 2020

Preferential treatment shown to some students. Lax atmosphere regarding discipline.

Posted: February 10, 2020

Posted: February 10, 2020

Depends on who the bully is and who is being picked on.

Posted: November 13, 2017

Posted: November 13, 2017

Posted: November 13, 2017

Posted: November 13, 2017

Posted: November 13, 2017

Posted: November 13, 2017

Posted: November 13, 2017

I can honestly say that my years at MBA were the best years of my life so far. I was given the opportunity to grow up and become a man at my own speed and in my own way. I only wish more boys could have the opportunity to experience the school as well.

Posted: October 28, 2016

I once heard MBA described as having a “culture of excellence.” Now that my sons have been at the school for several years, I can attest to this. The bar is set very high at MBA. Whether it’s academics, sports, arts, or character, the boys are challenged to work hard and make themselves better. This is done under the supervision of outstanding, highly intelligent, and fully committed teachers and administration. What impresses my husband and me is that while the academics are truly unparalleled in the region, there is an equal emphasis on character development. There is also a great camaraderie among the boys at the school. We feel extremely fortunate to be able to send our sons to MBA.

Posted: October 24, 2016

In 6+ years of my boys attending MBA, I have heard of no serious incident of bullying. In addition, there are several annual school programs that help educate the students and parents on the issue.

Posted: October 24, 2016

Not every school if for every student. MBA is designed to challenge the most talented- Iron sharpens Iron.
In an effort to meet the demands of this sub-set, MBA offers college prep - honors - AP - and Accelerated Independent study to the student-body.

Posted: October 24, 2016

Headmaster Brad Gioia has guided MBA to become the premiere private school in Tennessee and the southeast. His policies have drawn intellectual and academic talent to The Hill and MBA's generous financial aid offerings have allowed for a need-blind admittance policy.

Posted: October 24, 2016

MBA teaches honor, integrity, respect, and compassion among the student body via weekly, monthly and yearly seminars, workshops, and invited speakers. The boys have multiple opportunities to give back locally and internationally.

Posted: October 24, 2016

It is important to attend MBA starting in the 7th grade to grasp the logical sequencing from the early years, overly-attentive teachers, through the senior years, teachers that guide and advise. Early on the boys learn how to be taught, then they increasingly learn how to teach themselves.

Posted: October 24, 2016

MBA homework is designed to challenge the students' intellect and constitution. It is a stressor that molds critical time management skills. When one has 5 tasks that must be completed in a night and 5 additional items that the student wants to do something must be prioritized... A great lesson for college and life.

Posted: October 24, 2016

MBA has been great for my two boys. From the academic rigour to the excellence on the athletic fields to the esprit de corps of the student body, the institutions sets the pace in Tennessee and the Southeast.

Posted: May 30, 2015

I am a recent graduate. The academics, athletics and arts are all superb, and I could not really ask for more. Not many people will debate the proficiency of these programs. I do, however, wish to dispel a couple of rumors, so here is my own take on the true nature of MBA. First, the school is in no way opposed to diversity, and all kinds of people are welcomed. I greatly enjoyed getting to know many of the students who were different from me, and I do not think they are singled out or discriminated against at all. Second, the all-boy status does not hinder social skills. I have greatly enjoyed getting to know my class, and I feel as if a real brotherhood exists between us that I would not have gotten at a co-ed school. Also, Harpeth Hall works with MBA on a number of events, and I know personally a good majority of the girls in my class there. It is not difficult to be socially active, so do not pass up on this school for fear of social atrophy. In many ways the single-sex nature is MBA's greatest strength. This school has been a fantastic one, and I would not exchange my experience over the past six years for one at any other school.

Posted: May 30, 2015

Posted: May 30, 2015

Posted: May 30, 2015

Posted: May 29, 2015

MBA is great for a number of reasons. The young men will get a good education (even though their GPA may not reflect it because the coursework is so difficult), and they will learn useful life tools including time-management.

Unfortunately, if your child is ANY thing other than a rich, white republican, this is absolutely NO place for him.

I made the mistake of sending my black son to this school because I thought that he would receive a great education, and it would be so beneficial to his future. Boy, was I wrong. As a parent, I can honestly say it was the biggest mistake that I ever made. I had heard the rumors, but I didnt believe it. There was no way that "my" exemplary young man could be treated like it was the 1950's. Well, I was terribly wrong.

He grew up in a predominantly white Christian school, had many white friends, and didn't understand how much a group of people could "hate" so much! The children that he went to school with were taught to act the way that they do. They're led to believe that they're better, and this institution encourages it.

MBA is considered a very traditional school, and they most certainly are.

Take a look at how many African-American educators are on staff there - NONE. Take a look at how many African-American young men have left from this institution. This is a private institution, and they can run things anyway they want to (Brad Gioia - headmaster - own words). Its very sad that there are still places that exist in this country.

Don't be fooled. Do your homework. Your child deserves better than this.

Posted: March 31, 2014

I love MBA. I currently attend this school, and it has been the best, and at the same time hardest experience of my life. Our motto, Gentleman, Scholar, Athlete, is truly represented by the good sportsmanship, number of AP/Merrit finalists each year, as well as the oportunities we have for sports (We have 15 varsity sports currently). Not only that, but MBA turns a boy into a true man, and gives that man true character. The great thing about MBA is that here, it is COOL to do things that are weird elsewhere. Like singing, robotics, astronomy, and being in a band. Also, the teachers truly engage in the lesson. Unlike Ensworth, the teachers here truly understand their students and don't mind spending a few extra minutes helping a kid understand a concept. I cannot thank MBA enough for the opportunities and character it's given me. Thanks, MBA.

Posted: August 11, 2013

Today my son begins another year attending MBA. He woke-up at 5:50 and is showered, fed, and dressed in his blazer and tie. The excitement is all-over his face. MBA his truly his home-away-from-home. I do agree with some of the comments written below. MBA is a highly-competitive environment. Academically, athletically and morally, MBA challenges you to rise above and overcome. At the same time, the faculty and administration realize that there will be struggles and even set-backs and that learning perseverance is as important as passing AP Exams or being a National Merit Scholar.

Posted: August 10, 2013

I owe a great deal to Montgomery Bell Academy. Not a day goes by that I do not draw on my MBA experience, and there is no doubt that my time at MBA has contributed significantly to my success as a husband, father, and businessman.

Posted: August 6, 2013

I am a graduate of MBA and a former faculty member. As a student, I was moved by the high expectations of my teachers as well as my fellow students. The environment was challenging and fun. As a faculty member, I was blown away by the commitment of my colleagues to the program and their students. The goals were very apparent. Prepare young men for college and give them confidence to take risks where appropriate and walk away from bad situations. MBA enjoys a unique place in the Nashville community and they take that distinction seriously.

Posted: August 5, 2013

MBA is one of the best private schools in the country. There are so many opportunities here compared with other schools (international travel, top-notch debate, less common languages like German or Greek, less common sports like rowing or rifle). The boys are pushed in order for them to excel. There is an emphasis on both written and oral communication. MBA truly prepares the boys for success in college and in life.

Posted: April 28, 2013

used to be very great school. still is good but it is made up of students, families, faculty who believe in lack of diversity and judgement based on social level, economic stability and athletic ability. basically all minorities are mistreated and are athletes. also the motto is very misleading. they should change it to ATHLETE. SCHOLAR. GENTLEMAN... that would provide outsiders more accurate information regarding the best interests of the school.

Posted: February 11, 2013

When my son was in 8th grade he didn't have a clue where he was going to high school. All of his friends went to this one school and he felt that he should go off with his friends to high school but when I asked him where he wanted to go he said, "Mom, I want to go to MBA." When he was a freshman there he was struggling because there academics are very hard. By the end of the year he almost gave up but when MBA's teachers helped him he realized how lucky he was to go to a school like MBA he wasn't going to give up he decided to stay there. He graduated 5 years ago and he said that staying at MBA was the best decision that he has ever made. MBA changed him and he gained memories and friends. The teachers were fabulous and he learned how to be a gentlemen, scholar, and athlete.

Posted: October 27, 2012

My son got a great education there but if you do not live in west nashville area you are left out of many ativities. I felt like a outsider every time I went there. I was not in the click with other parents and niether was my son. Very competitive in everything they do. Very hard to be accepted if you do not have a connection there. My son graduated cum laude and was accepted to a top 20 school. He did not get the recognition he deserved because of where we lived and not having the in connection to the school.

Posted: April 23, 2012

Academics are very good but they need to put more effort toward making the "gentlemen" part of their motto truer. The display of uglyness shown by the MBA students over the last three years when they are playing Ensworth School has been awful. Good sportsmanship use to be at MBA but since they now have another school comparative they have not handled it well. Diversity in students and staff is not great. The biggest problem is their Head Master whose ego is bigger than the job. His departure might help.