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The Father Ryan Student Experience

Extracurriculars are hardly “extras” at Father Ryan. They are opportunities for our students to discover passions, learn real-world skills, practice teamwork and collaboration, and much more.

As Nashville’s largest private high school, we have plenty of clubs, teams, service opportunities, and numerous performing arts organizations for every student's interest. Research shows over and over again that participation outside of class leads to better academic performance, improved physical and emotional health, and greater success wherever our students go after graduation.

In this month’s Irish Insights blog post, we showcase four students and the impact their extracurricular activities have on their lives, the Father Ryan community, and their future. Here are a few excerpts from the blog post:

Did You Know?

88% of students participate in one or more of our 40+ student clubs?

10+ faith backgrounds are represented by the student body?

41 students traveled abroad in 2025-2026 for one of Father Ryan's global trips?

7,717 student service hours were logged during this past semester?

there are 38 Irish athletics teams?

72% of students participate in athletics?

Manny Carreño '28

Transfer student from Intrepid Independence Academy

Varsity Soccer

Altar Server

Brotherhood (Men’s Faith Group)

Spanish Club

Immaculata House

“I love serving my church community at Our Lady of Guadalupe because I want to set an example for the youth at my church. On Friday nights, I lead youth activities at my church. Father Ryan is making me a better student inside and outside the classroom. I find myself wanting to explore my faith even deeper.”

Gigi Garrigan '26

Captain, Dance Team

Purple Masque Players

Student Ambassador

Elliston House

Attending University of Tennessee Architecture School

“Dance has taught me how to trust others in ways real life cannot. With any sports team, trust is a huge factor in success. As a leader and captain, I trust the younger ones will have my back when they are on and off the floor, and as a person, that they can come to me for advice. Father Ryan has shaped me to be more adaptable in all aspects of my life. My relationship with God has become a more active part in my life, and I am more sociable and accepting towards more people because I have truly learned to embrace empathy from the many caring teachers here.”

we show 100% Irish spirit in every endeavor?

Join Us for Junior Irish Events!

You belong at Father Ryan! Join us for an event this spring.

Monthly All School Mass

Join us for our monthly All School Mass, part of our 100 Masses program to celebrate Father Ryan’s 100th anniversary.

Upcoming Masses

Irish Easter Egg Hunt

March 28 10:00am-12:00pm

Father Ryan’s Alumni Association invites you and your family to hop on down Father Ryan's bunny trail for our free, annual Irish Easter Egg Hunt! Easter Egg Hunts begin at 11:00am with three hunts by age group.

Read the Blog

Father Ryan's Spring Musical, Into the Woods

Faith and Service, February 24

Every Father Ryan student, faculty, and staff member participated in our second Faith and Service Day, serving at 14 different nonprofits or attending faith retreats. Sophomores cooked and served food for Mercy Chefs and picked produce and weeded gardens at By Faith Farm, among other activities. Seniors bowled and ice skated with adults with disabilities at Metro Disabilities, built walls for homes at Pope Leo Village with Habitat for Humanity, and helped lead the Freshman and Junior Retreats. Father Ryan’s first-ever Faith and Service Day was on September 30, 2025; Louisa Bateman, Director of Campus Ministry, and Daniel Dion, Coordinator of Service Learning, coordinated the program.

During our recent annual House System Canned Food Drive, organized by each House’s Freshman Delegate, students collected 12,494 cans and $2,154.43 for the Ladies of Charity, Catholic Charities, and St. Vincent de Paul

April 9-11

Tickets will go on sale later this spring. Questions?

Contact Kelli McClendon at mcclendonk@fatherryan .org.

Spring Preview

April 14 9:15-10:45am

Discover what it means to be known, loved, and inspired at Father Ryan. Visit our 43-acre campus and hear directly from our students about their experiences, with the opportunity to ask questions that matter most to your family.

Learn More

Spring Junior Irish Night

April 17

Join fellow Junior Irish for a night of Father Ryan baseball, rugby, pizza, giveaways, and to celebrate our Baseball and Rugby Seniors at Senior Night!

Congratulations to our Six National Merit Finalists!

Six members from the Class of 2026 have been named National Merit Finalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. This is the thirdhighest number of Finalists among Nashville’s private schools.

National Finalists were selected from an elite group of 16,000 SemiFinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. Way to go, Eilie Durden, Addy Guss, Joaquin Panelo, Clarabelle Shafer, Sully Smith, and Alex Tinker on your impressive accomplishment! This incredible achievement underscores Father Ryan’s unique four levels of learning and our mission-driven dedication to helping each student reach their full potential.

South Street Renamed for Civil Rights Activist King Hollands ’58

Nashville’s South Street has officially been renamed King Hollands Avenue in honor of civil rights activist and Father Ryan alumnus King Hollands '58. Register Now

Cheer on the Irish this spring!

Check out the Irish Athletics schedule.

He was one of 15 Black students who enrolled at Father Ryan in 1954, following the Brown v. Board of Education decision that ended school segregation; Father Ryan was the first school in Tennessee to integrate in 1954. Mr. Hollands dedicated his life to combating injustices, preserving Nashville's African American history, and supporting the community. Nashville Metro Councilwoman Zulfat Suara sponsored the legislation for the renaming and was present at the early March unveiling ceremony with the Hollands family, Father Ryan President Paul Davis ’81, and others.

Irish Performing Arts

Last month, our Competition Cheer Team, Dance Team, and Marching Band had incredible performances at Nationals in Orlando.

At UCA Nationals, the Competition Cheer Team advanced to the semi-finals in the Game Day division and to the finals in the Traditional division. Our Irish Dance Team placed 5th in Jazz and in the Top 12 out of 27 teams in Hip Hop.

For NSSC DII National Championships, the Irish Marching Band placed 2nd in DII Pep Band Varsity against teams from across the country. Becca Mimms ‘26 won the Beacon Award for the entire band division for her outstanding leadership.

On April 9-11, the Purple Masque Players perform Into the Woods, Stephen Sondheim’s iconic take on fairytales. Buy tickets here for your happily ever after.

Irish Athletics News

Every week, there is great news to share about Irish Athletics. Make sure you hear it first by following Father Ryan on Instagram or Facebook.

Basketball phenom Maddie Graham ‘26 joined Father Ryan’s 1,000-point club earlier this season and was named to the Region Tournament AllTournament Team.

Tanner Tran '26 won his second consecutive TSSAA State Wrestling Championship and Colten Calvin '28 claimed his first TSSAA Individual State Wrestling Tournament!

Caroline Perri ’26 won the State Title for Girls Long Jump Champion (5.53m), and Addison Belletete '26 won for Girls Triple Jump Champion (11.12m) at the 2026 Indoor Track & Field Championships.

Join Us for Spring Preview, April 14

Come to Spring Preview and discover why Father Ryan was voted Nashville’s Best High School and Best Private School in the 2025 Nashville Scene.

Tuesday, April 14, 9:15-10:45am

Meet faculty and students

Tour our 43-acre campus

Ask the questions that matter most to your family

Registration Required

Join Us for Spring Junior Irish School Spirit Night!

Join fellow Junior Irish for a night of Father Ryan baseball, rugby, pizza, giveaways, and to celebrate our Baseball and Rugby Seniors at Senior Night!

4:30pm – Boys Varsity Baseball vs. Overton First Pitch, Location: Baseball Field

6:00pm – Girls Varsity Rugby vs. Sumner County RFC, Location: Giacosa Stadium

7:30pm – Boys Varsity Rugby vs. Sumner County RFC, Location: Giacosa Stadium

Event Details:

This event is free to attend.

Check-in will be located at the front entrance of Giacosa Stadium Pizza, a drink, and a chance to win giveaways will be provided for all Junior Irish from 5:30-6:30pm Additional food and snacks may be purchased at the concession stand from 4:30-6:30.

Are You Ready to Roll?

Register for the Egg Hunt

Camp Ryan Begins May 26

Voted one of Nashville’s Best Summer Camps in the 2025 Nashville Scene, Camp Ryan is THE place for your child this summer. With great academics, arts, sports, and specialty camps for preschoolers through 8th grade

students and seven sessions, there is something for everyone! Before and After Care available.