Nashville private school first in Tennessee to earn AI literacy certification

Franklin Road Academy has received the Responsible AI in Learning Endorsement from the Middle States Association, becoming the first school in Tennessee to earn this certification for AI literacy, safety and ethics. This recognition highlights the growing need for educational institutions to proactively address AI integration rather than simply react to technological changes in the classroom.

What you should know: The Nashville private school has been planning for AI education since before ChatGPT’s mainstream debut, incorporating artificial intelligence discussions into their strategic planning five years ago.

• The school offers dedicated AI classes where students learn about algorithms and responsible technology use.
• Rather than simply providing access to AI tools, educators guide students on appropriate usage and timing.
• The approach treats AI as another essential tool students must learn to use responsibly, similar to how previous generations adapted to computers and the internet.

Why this matters: Educational institutions across the country are grappling with how to integrate AI technology into learning environments while maintaining academic integrity and teaching responsible usage.

• The certification provides a framework for other schools looking to implement comprehensive AI education programs.
• Early adoption of structured AI literacy programs positions students to navigate an increasingly AI-integrated workforce and society.

What they’re saying: School officials emphasize the importance of guided AI education over unrestricted access.

• “It’s here,” said Meaghan Williams, the school’s Director of Studies. “It’s like the calculator or the computer or the internet. It’s here, we live in a world with it.”
• “We could just hand kids the keys to AI, but we want to guide them to know when it’s right to use it,” Williams explained.
• “We’re teaching them how to use it, so that our kids can do more and go further,” she added.

The bigger picture: Franklin Road Academy’s proactive approach reflects a broader educational shift toward embracing rather than banning AI technology in schools.

• The school’s five-year planning timeline demonstrates how forward-thinking institutions anticipated AI’s educational impact well before widespread adoption.
• The Middle States Association’s endorsement program suggests growing institutional support for structured AI literacy initiatives.