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“CA at Spring Hill is a very special place.
The students are hardworking and have a conscience with their behavior and attention to learning. The faculty is some of the best that I’ve worked with in my 20+ year career. They’re tireless in their care for our kids and diligent to achieving high expectations.”
– Nathan Hixson, Principal

For more than 40 years, Columbia Academy has been educating children for bright futures with an eternal perspective. Twelve years ago, that vision expanded with the addition of a satellite campus in the Spring Hill community. Today, Columbia Academy at Spring Hill is a light in the community, offering a strong academic, extracurricular and spiritual education option. CA students and their families are blessed to enjoy big experiences on a smaller scale.
The Spring Hill campus is quite unique in that our students have adopted a work hard / play hard mentality. Diligence is shown by our students to their studies and we have a track record of high scores and impressive accomplishments. We also like to “play” hard with timeless activities such as classroom parties, dress up theme days and competitions that take us to great new heights! Most importantly, we’re preparing our kids for success in both this life and the next one. We invite you to come see why our students and families are impressed and choose to be a CA Bulldog!
-Nathan Hixson, Principal
This is …Columbia Academy at Spring Hill
- Offering a 3-year-old class, Preschool, Jr. Kindergarten and K-6th Grade
- Field trips, special guests and integrated opportunities with Columbia campus (Preschool – 12th grade)
- Degreed and fully accredited teachers at every learning level
- 1:1 technological devices (iPad/Chromebook) for grades 1-5
- Elementary extracurricular programs such as sports (cheer, cross-country, basketball, football); chorus and fine arts
- Implementation of a bully prevention program – Bulldogs United
- Smaller class sizes providing productive teacher interactions and ideal support for academic and social development
- Spiritual development through regular worship assemblies, prayer, and age-appropriate curriculum to help develop students’ love for God and His word
- Weekly special area classes in art, music, technology, P.E., and library
- Security Director & campus-wide safety and security initiatives

At CA at Spring Hill, our families have come to expect our best! We work tirelessly to offer a unique blend of family atmosphere, Christian principles and academic rigor. We get excited about offering our students these opportunities!
Quality First Instruction
Using Tennessee State Standards and the ACT Readiness Standards to inform our curriculum, our teachers are diligent in developing each child to reach his or her greatest potential.
ACT Aspire
In a strategic move away from state standardized testing, CA measures student progress with the ACT Aspire beginning in third grade. Data collected throughout the school year prepares students to achieve higher scores on the ACT in high school. CA ACT scores are consistently above the local, state, and national average.
Fundations
This program introduces phonics skills to the youngest “Bulldogs” on our campus. Beginning in preschool, students are introduced to letters, sounds, and spelling. The program continues in Jr. Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and first grade to ensure a solid foundation.
Daily 5
Not all students learn the same way. This approach to learning in first through fourth grade assists students who learn at different paces and levels. Depending on the grade level, this may include manipulatives, collaborative time with peers, and independent workspace.
STEM Learning
Classroom and lab time is dedicated to growing our STEM offerings (Science / Technology / Engineering / Mathematics). We use hands-on experiments and unconventional learning to teach students to strategize, problem solve, and expand their knowledge through these experiences.
Accelerated Reading
We love literacy and instilling a love of reading in children. The AR program encourages students to read a variety of books throughout the year with a reward system.
COLUMBIA ACADEMY at SPRING HILL
Faculty & Staff – Get to Know Us!
Nathan Hixson – Principal
- 22 years experience in private and public education
- B.A., Liberal Studies – California State University, Stanislaus
- M.Ed., Instructional Leadership – Freed-Hardeman University
- State Certification: Administration and Teaching in CA/TN
Michele Mainord – Preschool Teacher
- B.S., Special Education – Middle Tennessee State University
- 5 years of teaching experience, 10 years of working with special needs children
Mandy Harrison – Jr. Kindergarten
- 16 years teaching experience (4th, 2nd, and 1st)
- B.S., Early Childhood – Austin Peay State University
- State Certification: PreK-8
Casie Cox – Kindergarten
- 13 years teaching experience
- B.S., Education – Middle TN State University
- M.Ed., Education – Middle Tennessee State University
- State Certifications: K-8th grade
Carol Stout – 1st Grade
- 7 years teaching experience (K, 1st, pre-first)
- B.S., Early Childhood Education – University of Tennessee at Martin
- M.Ed., Elementary Education – University of Tennessee at Martin
- State Certifications: Pre-K – 3
Alice Dahlstrom – 2nd Grade
- 28 years of experience in private and public education
- BBA in Accounting – Freed Hardeman University
- BS in Education – University of TN at Martin
- State certification – Elementary Education
Suzanne Mason – 3rd Grade
- 20 years of experience in public education
- B.A., Liberal Studies – California State University, Fresno
- State Certifications: California (Elementary Education, Early Childhood, and ESL), currently working towards TN certification in K-5th
Chris Carroll – 4th Grade

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19 years teaching experience both in USA and internationally
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B.S. in Business Management – Oklahoma State University
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Masters in Art of Teaching – University of Arkansas in Monticello
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State Certifications: Arkansas (middle school) & working towards TN certification in K-6
Karla Hardison – 5th Grade
- 15 years teaching experience
- B.S., Accounting – Lipscomb University
- M.Ed., Instructional Practice – Lipscomb University
- State Certification: K-6
CONTACT for Admissions
Contact Amberly Kaylor, Spring Hill campus Admissions Representative at 931-486-1002 / amberly.kaylor@cabulldogs.org