About Us

About Nurses Middle College Nashville

Nurses Middle College Nashville (NursesMC) is a public charter high school dedicated to preparing students in grades 9–12 for careers in nursing and healthcare. As a free and open institution, we serve all high school students residing in the Davidson County area, offering a unique blend of academic rigor and hands-on clinical experience.

Our Mission:
At NursesMC, our mission is to empower the next generation of healthcare professionals by providing a comprehensive education that combines traditional classroom learning with real-world clinical training. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment where students can thrive academically and professionally.

Our Approach

Academic Excellence

Rigorous coursework aligned with state standards, focusing on science, mathematics, and healthcare-related subjects.

Clinical Experience

Partnerships with local healthcare facilities to offer students hands-on training and exposure to various medical specialties.

Supportive Environment

Dedicated faculty and staff committed to student success, providing mentorship and guidance throughout the educational journey.

Community Engagement

Active involvement in local health initiatives and events to promote wellness and healthcare awareness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nurses Middle College (NursesMC) Nashville?
Nurses Middle College is a ground-breaking nursing public charter high school model that offers rigorous education, workforce experiences, college credits, and industry credentials, resulting in college- and career-ready graduates from backgrounds underrepresented in healthcare.
A Middle College is an innovative educational approach that combines a high school curriculum with college-level courses.
Our students are dual enrolled, taking both high school and college classes at the same time. They earn at least three free, transferable college credits, often much more, with some even completing a full year of college before graduating.
100% of our students graduate as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), giving them the skills to provide entry-level patient care. They also have the opportunity to earn additional credentials in CPR, First Aid, and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
No. All students living in Davidson County entering 9th grade or currently in 9th or 10th grade may apply to NursesMC Nashville.
To make sure all students succeed, NursesMC Nashville has staff members to support students who have disabilities, are English language learners, or qualify for gifted services. We also have staff to help students who are at-risk of failing or who require behavioral support. Our staff includes a dean of student support, a community health manager, guidance counselors, a social worker, teachers focused on special education and multi-language learners, and professionals focused on improving students’ reading, writing, and math skills.
NursesMC Nashville is designed to support students, even those not interested in pursuing a nursing career, by offering a strong foundation in healthcare that opens doors to a variety of related professions. While nursing is a central focus, the skills and experiences students gain are highly transferable to many other healthcare fields.
NursesMC Nashville is located at 3010 Tuggle Avenue, Nashville, TN 37211.
For the 2025–2026 school year, we have begun enrolling current 9th grade students. Starting in the 2026–2027 school year, we will expand to include both 9th and 10th grades, and each year after that, we will add a new grade level until we reach 12th grade. However, due to the academic rigor of our program, we will always only enroll 9th and 10th grade students moving forward. Our application is currently open for the 26-27 school year for incoming 9th and 10th graders.
Nurses MC Nashville offers satellite bus stops:

What Are Satellite Bus Stops?
Satellite bus stops are central pick-up and drop-off locations where multiple students meet the school bus, instead of the bus stopping at every individual home or neighborhood street.

Think of them like designated hub stops. Safe, convenient points in the community that help our buses run faster and more efficiently.

Why Do Schools Use Satellite Bus Stops?
Quicker routes: Buses spend less time stopping, which helps students get to school on time.
More reliable: Fewer stops means fewer delays.
Safer pick-up points: Satellite stops are chosen because they are visible, accessible, and considered safe for families.
Helps cover more areas: It allows the school to reach more neighborhoods with the same number of buses.

What Families Need to Know:
You will receive the exact location, pick-up time, and drop-off time for your child’s satellite stop.
Families are responsible for getting students to and from the satellite stop.
Stops are typically placed at community centers, parks, churches, or large neighborhood intersections to make them easy to find.
Students should plan to arrive 5–10 minutes early to avoid missing the bus.

Why This Helps Our School Community
Satellite bus stops help us run a more efficient transportation system, making it possible to serve more students across Nashville while keeping routes safe, predictable, and on time.

NursesMC Nashville will offer milestone events and a senior prom as students progress through the program. While we don’t have sports teams, we’re partnering with other charter schools to provide access to their sports programs. We will offer after-school activities focused on healthcare, student clubs, and life skills classes like personal finance and healthy living. We recognize the importance of the full high school experience and are committed to ensuring students enjoy their time with us.
Create a SchoolMint account to access the application. You can also reach our enrollment team by text or phone at 629.325.4002 for assistance.

Dr. Andrea Poynter, PhD, CNE, RN

Executive Director

Andrea Poynter has worked as a nurse in Tennessee for 18 years and served as a nursing professor for 11 years at Tennessee State University, Columbia State Community College and most recently as a faculty member at Belmont University. Her academic research spans the health behaviors of African American women, the role of spirituality in healthcare, and diversity in the healthcare workforce. In 2022, Dr. Poynter was selected as a Tennessee Rising Star Nurse Leader, and she received an AARP Health Equity Innovations Fund Award to support a successful mentorship program she created to expose high school students to careers in healthcare. Dr. Poynter serves as a board member for the Maury County Chamber Alliance and the Youth Education Foundation and is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Tennessee Nurses Association, and the International Society for Professional Identity in Nursing. Dr. Poynter’s love and passion for future generations of healthcare professionals makes her the perfect person to lead NursesMC Nashville.

Dr. Lauren Moss

Director of Nursing

With over 14 years of diverse clinical experience and a passion for health education, Dr. Moss will play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of healthcare leaders at NursesMC Nashville.

Dr. Moss, currently an Assistant Professor at Belmont University, brings expertise in Women’s Health and Adult Health Nursing, along with a commitment to student-centered learning and community engagement. Her leadership will ensure that our students receive the highest quality education, along with hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for successful careers in healthcare.

Dr. Moss shared: “My desire is to help facilitate learning in an effort to build knowledge within students while reassuring them of their strengths in hopes to help build their own confidence.”

Kevin Rose

Director of Teaching and Learning

With an extensive background in educational leadership, Mr. Rose brings a wealth of experience in creating high-performing school cultures, driving academic excellence, and fostering student-centered learning environments. Mr. Rose most recently served as the Assistant Principal of Instruction and Student Culture at Independence Academy High School in Antioch, TN. He also held leadership roles at Teach for America Alabama, Nashville Prep, and Detroit Leadership Academy, where he focused on developing impactful academic programs and supporting educators.

Mr. Rose shared his excitement for this role, stating: “I feel honored and privileged to be a part of the team that is bringing Nurses Middle College to Nashville. I am so excited to serve the students and families of Davidson County to empower the next generation of leaders with the academic and clinical skills that will help them pursue their passions and future careers.”

With Mr. Rose’s leadership, we are confident that NursesMC Nashville will continue to offer an exceptional educational experience that prepares our students for success in healthcare.

Alliyah Kinnard

Dean of Student Supports

I am an experienced and passionate educator with a deep commitment to student success and school community building. I hold a Bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master’s in Secondary Education with a focus in Mathematics from Relay Graduate School of Education. Over the past eight years, I’ve had the privilege of serving in a variety of educational roles that have shaped my approach to leadership and student engagement.

My career began as a substitute teacher with Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), where I discovered my passion for education. I went on to teach middle school math and science, experiences that allowed me to connect deeply with students and cultivate a love for learning in the classroom. For the past four years, I have served as Dean of Students, a role that has enabled me to support students beyond academics and help foster a positive, inclusive school culture.

What I love most about education is that every day brings a new opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of students. I strive to create an environment where students and families not only feel supported and valued but also view the school as their second home—a place where they enjoy learning, growing, and working together.

Favorite Quotes:

  • “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today” – Malcom X
  • “A successful woman is one who can build a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at her”

Cynthia Garcia

Recruitment, Enrollment, and Family Engagement Specialist

Cynthia is a proud graduate of MTSU, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising with a minor in Spanish. With over four years of experience in education, Cynthia has worked on the operations team at a charter high school and served as an admissions counselor at a state university. She’s now excited to support the Davidson County community as the Recruitment, Enrollment, and Family Engagement Specialist at Nurses Middle College.

Outside of work, Cynthia loves to travel, garden, and spoil her two beloved fur babies. She also runs a personal styling business offering services like event styling, vacation styling, closet clean-outs, and personal shopping. A creative spirit at heart, Cynthia is passionate about all things artsy and is always eager to learn something new.

“This is life; nothing is easy, but nothing is impossible.”

Hayle Austin

Director of Business Ops

Bio Coming Soon

Dr. Devonte Bradley

Dean of Academics

Bio Coming Soon

Marquita Ray

Dean of Community Health and Compliance

Bio Coming Soon
We are currently accepting applications for 9th and 10th grade students for next school year (26-27). We are also still enrolling 9th graders for this school year.