The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere - Education

School Groups

Your group can experience the wonders of animal species from around the world at Nashville Zoo at Grassmere. Think of our park as living, changing, growing parts of our community. There's always something new to discover and learn about, whether it flies, swims, slithers or walks!

School group rates apply only to accredited schools, preschools, year-round day cares, head start programs and organized home schools. To qualify for the school group rate, each group must have 20 or more people and complete our ADVANCE REGISTRATION at least two weeks prior to a visit.

How to Register Your Group

Fax the Group Registration Form OR submit the Online Form. DO NOT DO BOTH. A confirmation will be sent once your reservation is processed (not immediately after you submit your request). Confirmations are sent to e-mail addresses only.

FAX: 615-333-0632

Allow at least two weeks for order processing. April and May dates fill up quickly; we suggest booking further in advance during these months.

If you would like lunch, zoovenirs or a Wild Encounter Program for your group, see below.

Here is a letter for parents for your convenience.

If you have trouble opening the PDF forms, you may need to download Adobe Reader.

Booked Dates

Please do NOT request the following dates:

Want Lunch?

We can prepare your lunch and have it ready when you are ready to eat. Simply fill out and send in the Animeals form. You can also call The Zoofari Cafe at 615-445-3062 for short-notice orders (less than 4 days in advance).

Want ZOOvenirs?

Ensure your students have something to remember the trip by, without having to worry about making time to shop or keeping track of money. Just fill out and send in the ZOOvenirs form. For more information, please call 615-445-7898 or email the Retail Operations Manager.

Wild Fun!

Wild Animal Carousel - Nashville Zoo is offering a special group discount of $1.50 per person for carousel rides (normally $2 per person). Riders must be at least 42" tall. You must purchase all tokens when you pay admission into the Zoo.

Lorikeet Landing - This walk-in aviary allows guests to interact with more than 50 Australian lorikeets in a free-flight environment. Guests may purchase $1 cups of nectar for feeding the birds. Due to lorikeet diet, limited quantities of nectar are available and may not be sold at all times. Nectar cups can only be purchased at Lorikeet Landing.

Admission

Prices subject to change without notice. The following special prices can NOT be combined with other discount offers: coupons, military discount, reciprocation, etc.

School Group Prices

Any school group (accredited schools, preschools, year-round day cares, head start programs and organized home schools) purchasing 20 or more tickets with one payment AND registering in advance qualifies for a school group discount. For school groups, Nashville Zoo offers one free adult for every 10 children.

Age Group	Zoo Admission	Zoo and Carousel
Adult	$8	$9.50
Child (2 - 18)*	$5	$6.50

*Education groups are offered the child's admission rate for ages up to 18.

Title 1 Group Prices

Any Title 1 School or Head Start Center in Davidson County purchasing 20 or more tickets with one payment qualifies for the Title 1 discount.

Age Group	Zoo Admission	Zoo and Carousel
Adult (19+)	$8	$9.50
Child (2 - 18)	$3	$4.50

Wild Encounter Programs (August-May)

Nashville Zoo offers on-site programs from August - May. Explore the world of animals and learn the importance of conservation with live animal demonstrations, animal artifacts and activities involving the entire group. Choose from the following topics, or ask if one can be tailored to a specific need. Most topics can be adapted to suit your specific age level.

To Schedule: Call 615-833-1534 ext. 100. Programs are offered weekdays (Monday - Friday).

Program fees: $2/person (paid at front entrance with Zoo admission)
Program Length: approximately 30-45 minutes.
Group Size: 50 maximum (students and chaperones)

Program Topics

Hopping Mad with Year of the Frog: (pre-kindergarten and up)

Jump into fun at Nashville Zoo where frogs play an important role in nature as both predator and prey.

PreK - Grade 1 (Ages 4-6): Check out how frogs communicate with each other.
Grades 2 – 4 (Ages 7-9): Find out ways that frogs defend themselves.
Grades 5 and Up (Ages 10+): Help investigate the unique crisis facing amphibian habitat conservation.

The Rainforest: (pre-kindergarten and up)

Did you know that the rainforest is home to more than half the world's animals and plants? That some trees grow to over 200 feet tall? All this and more will be discovered in this interactive program as we journey into the depths of the rainforest and actually build its layers - discovering its great diversity and importance.

PreK - Grade 1 (Ages 4-6): See who is really "King of the Rainforest."
Grades 2 -4 (Ages 7-9): Build a fun classroom rainforest.
Grades 5 and Up (Ages 10+): Discover fun rainforest facts.

“Sense”-sational Animals (pre-kindergarten and up)

Is it possible for an animal to smell with its tongue? Taste with its feet? See with its ears? These questions and more will be addressed as students are introduced to animals through the five senses.

PreK - Grade 1 (Ages 4-6): We will learn about "sense-sational" animal senses.
Grades 2 – 4 (Ages 7-9): Will use their sight, smell, taste and touch to explore our world.
Grades 5 and Up (Ages 10+): Let's all "come to our senses".

"Animal Wrappers" (pre-kindergarten and up)

Fur, feathers, skin, scales, exoskeletons. Body coverings are just one way to classify animals. Choose this overall introduction into animal classification or get more specific with a more in-depth study of a particular group.

PreK - Grade 1 (Ages 4-6): We will talk about some different animal body coverings.
Grades 2 – 4 (Ages 7-9): What makes our animal friends special.
Grades 5 and Up (Ages 10+): We will find out if humans have fur.

Endangered Species (pre-kindergarten and up)

Much of the world's wildlife is at risk of becoming threatened, endangered or extinct. Discover why species are at risk and what you can do to help.

PreK - Grade 1: We will be finding some “Species in the Spotlight.”
Grades 2 - 4: Come learn what you can do to help our “Endangered Friends.”
Grades 5 and Up: Discover why certain species are at risk.

Wildlife Careers: (pre-kindergarten and up)

Do you belong in a zoo?? This class is specially designed for middle school and high school kids interested in animal careers.

PreK - Grade 1 (Ages 4-6): We will see what “Wild” choices you can make.
Grades 2 – 4 (Ages 7-9): We will see if you want a “wild” life.
Grades 5 and Up (Ages 10+): See what it is like to work on the “wild” side.

A Day in the Life: (pre-kindergarten and up)

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to truly be a wild animal? Join us for this interactive program and follow animals through a typical day. Learn how they interact with their habitat and survive.

PreK - Grade 1 (Ages 4-6): We will learn how animals interact with their habitat and survive.
Grades 2 – 4 (Ages 7-9): We will be looking at the daily grind of some of our “wild” friends.
Grades 5 and Up (Ages 10+): We will learn how some species adapt to their home away from home.

Surviving the Wild: (grades 2 and higher)

The need to survive has created spectacular diversity in the animal kingdom. Discover how and why animals are so different.

Additional Program Offerings

You can also choose any of these age-specific program topics.

For more information about our education programs, please contact 615-833-1534 ext. 143 or education@nashvillezoo.org.