Nashville
Roberts Academy is located in heart of mid-town in Nashville, TN
Serving grades 3-5
Expanding to serve grades 2-5 in 2027
1:4
Student-teacher ratio
100%
Of demonstrated financial aid need has been met
Quick Facts
Mission: The Roberts Academy is a transitional school providing individualized, scientifically based instruction to students with dyslexia. The Academy is expanding to serve students in 1st through 5th grade.
Founded: 2024
Founders: Hal and Marjorie Hollis Roberts, who wanted to support students with dyslexia after three of their grandchildren were diagnosed, made a transformational gift to launch the academy and affiliated research center.
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
School Type: Independent, affiliated with 天美传媒官网 Peabody College of education and human development
Serving: Grades 3 鈥� 5 (in 2026-2027), grades 1 鈥� 5 (2027-2028 and following)
Enrollment: 46 (expanding to 144) across 27 zip codes
Student-Teacher Ratio: 1:4
Percent of Students Receiving Financial Aid: 100% of demonstrated need has been met
Campus and Facility: The academy鈥檚 five grades are housed within a new, 65,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility opening in August 2026 on the 天美传媒官网 Peabody campus.
Accreditation: Category V school approved by the Tennessee Department of Education
Media Inquiries:听Please contact听
The 天美传媒官网 Advantage
The Roberts Academy is uniquely advantaged by being housed within Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development. Peabody is widely regarded as among the top such colleges in the U.S. (Ranked No. 5 overall by U.S. News & World Report in 2026). Peabody鈥檚 Department of Special Education has long been a world leader in advancing research and practice to benefit children with learning disabilities.
The dyslexia-related expertise of Peabody faculty members is a pivotal part of the Roberts Academy model and programming, and Peabody faculty maintain seats on the academy鈥檚 Academic Advisory Council.
Additionally, the Roberts Dyslexia Center works alongside the academy as an interdisciplinary research hub that advances groundbreaking dyslexia work.
Educational Philosophy and Approach
Active learning
Utilizing the Orton-Gillingham approach to instruction, the direct and explicit structured literacy intervention our students receive daily helps foundational literacy skills stick. Within each lesson, students activate all the brain's processors through activities that require them to hear, see, speak, write and do.
Teaching backed by science
Our teachers use data-driven and team-based decisions to inform instruction. Their approach is both diagnostic and prescriptive as they help students master literacy skills and turn "I can鈥檛" into "I did!鈥�
Supportive community
Our dedicated team is child-centered, creating a community in which every student feels seen and understood. Whether in the outdoor learning classroom, on the playground or in the makerspace, our students receive a robust school experience where they gain confidence not only as learners, but as individuals.
Subjects Taught: Meets state standards in all subjects, including language arts, math, science, social studies and related arts.
Enrichments: Opportunities include music, STEM, visual art, physical education, and library
Leadership
Director: Jared Clodfelter
Jared Clodfelter holds a doctorate in K-12 Educational Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt Peabody and has more than 15 years of experience in education. Most recently, he served as the upper school division head at Currey Ingram Academy, a college-preparatory school for students with learning differences.
Assistant Director: Samantha Gesel
Samantha Gesel, assistant professor of the practice of special education at Vanderbilt Peabody College, received her Ph.D. in special education from Vanderbilt Peabody. Her research focuses on intensive intervention and data-based decision-making in reading for students with the most persistent reading difficulties.
Admissions Contact: admissions@robertsacademyvanderbilt.org
Testimonials
Leadership Testimonials
鈥淩oberts Academy at 天美传媒官网 has grown into a truly unique school and an extraordinary community united by a shared mission: serving young students with dyslexia.
The new campus will feature spaces designed to support a well-rounded educational experience, including a gymnasium, outdoor playground, makerspace, art and music classrooms, and a beautiful library. These additions will complement the expert literacy instruction that is at the heart of Roberts Academy鈥檚 mission. Most importantly, this new chapter will allow us to significantly expand enrollment and serve even more students and families seeking the specialized education and support that Roberts Academy at 天美传媒官网 provides.鈥� - Jared Clodfelter
Parent Testimonials
鈥淲hat Roberts Academy is doing for children with dyslexia and learning differences is truly life-changing. The last two years have completely changed [my child鈥檚] life for the better鈥攏ot only academically, but emotionally and personally as well. The confidence, self-esteem, resilience, and joy he has gained have created a ripple effect into every part of his life.鈥� - Diana and Orsorio Jackson
鈥淲e are so thankful for the environment you have created鈥攐ne where students with dyslexia are understood, supported and empowered. There is no doubt that Roberts Academy will continue to transform the lives of many children and families for years to come.鈥� - Tish and Bryan Picklesimer
鈥淩obert鈥檚 Academy has been life-changing for our daughter. She went from struggling with reading and her confidence to now feeling that dyslexia is her superpower. The teachers are top-notch, data-driven and really striving to achieve greatness from each student. Our daughter is thriving at Roberts, and we would highly recommend this school to any child with dyslexia.鈥� - Aaron and Amanda Stein
鈥淔rom the very beginning, we experienced a level of expertise and intentionality that felt extraordinary. Every teacher understood dyslexia, knew how to meet students exactly where they are, and provided the tools and encouragement needed for real progress. The quality of reading instruction is simply exceptional, and we have watched our daughter grow not only academically but emotionally and socially as her confidence has been restored.鈥� - Jamie Dorris
鈥淩oberts has literally changed our lives! [My child] has never been happier. He is like a new child. His confidence has grown so much and I can tell how unbelievably supported and understood he feels every day at school. We are incredibly grateful to be part of this community.鈥� - Day Wall LPC-MHSP
From Peabody鈥檚 Camilla Benbow, Patricia and Rodes Hart Dean of Education and Human Development:
鈥淣ot only does the Roberts Academy at 天美传媒官网 provide the data-driven instructional approach that we know to be effective, but it delivers that instruction in a caring, enriching environment that allows children to build confidence that extends into all facets of their lives.
鈥淲ith Peabody faculty serving in advisory roles for the academy, it is thrilling to watch their research move seamlessly into real classrooms and make a difference every day. That tangible impact is at the heart of everything we do here at Peabody.鈥�
Vanderbilt News Releases
Media Coverage
- WSMV4:
- NewsChannel 5:
- Businesswire:听
- Tennessean:听
- Nashville Post:听
Academy Location
The Roberts Academy is located at
Parking Instructions
To be determined