ADHD
Benton Hall Academy
School for ADHD in Nashville: Structure, Support, and Small Classes
Many students with ADHD are smart, curious, and creative - and still struggle in a traditional classroom. When expectations are unclear, the pace is fast, and the day is full of constant transitions, school can become exhausting.
Benton Hall Academy supports many students with ADHD and related executive function challenges. Our approach focuses on structure, clarity, and practical supports that help students stay engaged and show what they know.
How ADHD Can Affect School
Incomplete work even when the student understands the material
Difficulty getting started, especially on writing or multi-step tasks
Missing assignments and lost materials
Trouble tracking deadlines and long-term projects
Strong performance in one class and falling behind in another
Emotional fatigue from constant corrections or feeling "behind"
Every student is different, but families often describe patterns like those above.
When these struggles go unaddressed, students often internalize the experience. They may start to believe they are "lazy" or "not good at school" even when effort is high.
How We Use IEP and 504 Documentation
A supportive school setting often includes:
- Predictable routines and consistent expectations
- Clear directions, repeated when needed, and broken into steps
- Frequent check-ins to confirm understanding and progress
- Shorter work segments with planned breaks when appropriate
- Systems for organization, planning, and tracking assignments
- Supports that reduce the impact of attention variability
Support may include accommodations and modifications such as extended time, reduced workload when appropriate, alternative ways to show mastery, and structured check-ins.
Classroom Supports That Reduce Overwhelm
Many ADHD challenges are not about ability. They are about access and execution.
Helpful supports may include:
- Written and verbal instructions
- Task chunking with checkpoints
- Preferential seating or reduced distraction setups when available
- Opportunities to demonstrate mastery in different formats
- Teacher reminders and planning supports for long-term assignments
A consistent plan for missing work and make-up time
What the First Few Weeks Can Look Like
Transitions matter. In the first few weeks, many students benefit from:
- Clear expectations for homework and classwork
- A routine for materials, planners, and deadlines
- Frequent communication so parents are not guessing
- Early wins that rebuild confidence
Support varies by student. During admissions, we review records and meet with families to confirm fit and plan supports.
Next Steps: Tour Request + Records Review
A tour helps you see the environment and ask questions. After the tour, we can guide you on the next best steps and which records would be most helpful to review.