St. Michael Academy

The Diocese of Nashville saw an opportunity in Nolensville to create something lasting. Not just a school, but a campus that could grow with the community and offer students a more connected way to learn. From the beginning, their vision centered on creating an environment where education, faith, and the natural landscape work together.

As they spent time on the site, the direction became clear. The land’s natural features, existing waterways, and rolling topography provided a framework for development. Instead of forcing a traditional layout, they chose to work with what was already there, allowing the landscape to guide how the campus would take shape and how students would experience it each day.

That vision carried through every decision. Classrooms open toward the outdoors. Learning extends beyond the building through outdoor spaces designed for hands-on exploration and STEM opportunities. Boardwalk connections weave through the site, linking spaces together and creating natural paths for movement. Everyday moments like walking to class, gathering with friends, or spending time outside become part of the learning experience.

We partnered with the project team to help bring that vision to life through master planning and detailed engineering design for St. Michael Academy. Our focus was on aligning the site’s technical foundation with its larger intent. We designed grading, utilities, and circulation to follow the land, coordinated permitting, and helped integrate outdoor spaces that feel seamless and intentional.

The result reflects the Diocese’s vision from the very beginning. A campus where learning is shaped by both the spaces students occupy and the environment around them, creating meaningful opportunities for connection, exploration, and growth every day.

"We've had the pleasure of working with Anecdote Architectural Experiences and the Diocese of Nashville to envision a transformative 166-acre campus in Nolensville, TN. Drawing inspiration from the land's natural features, we carefully designed the campus to fit buildings and connections within the site's natural context and topography. With the completion of St. Michael Academy, we are excited about the opportunities provided to the new students to interact with each other and their natural environment in the carefully planned learning and play spaces throughout the school!" - Kyle Jacobson, PLA | CSDG Senior Associate

Size: 166-Acre Campus | 100,000 SF School