At The Gate School we make the choice to go through the Narrow Gate
At The Gate School, the Narrow Gate represents the choice to pursue what is challenging, meaningful, and worthwhile rather than what is easiest.
Learning, growth, and excellence rarely come from the path of least resistance. They come from asking harder questions, revising our thinking, and persisting through difficulty.
That is the path we choose.
At The Gate School, students are challenged to do difficult things and supported as they learn to do them well. Teachers coach, push, and guide students toward deeper thinking, stronger communication, and greater independence.
In choosing the harder path, students discover something important: the deepest confidence and satisfaction come not from avoiding difficulty, but from overcoming it.
This is the culture of The Gate School. Students, teachers, and families commit to walking this path together.
Hear what Students say about The Narrow Gate
Elsa M.
Going through the narrow gate means being presented with an obstacle and having to make a choice. The wide gate is easy and like taking the scenic route, it may seem like the better choice, but after you take it, you don’t learn anything about yourself or the obstacle. You have not gone anywhere, and you are basically walking in circles. However, the narrow gate is hard, like a steep rocky hike. It will test your limits and help you learn about yourself and how to combat obstacles in the future. By going through the narrow gate, you will feel satisfied. You will feel like you have taken a journey and gotten to the end
Michelle K.
At the beginning of the semester, when I was introduced to the “narrow gate” I usually pictured doing something hard and doing it alone. Now, I don’t think going through the narrow gate necessarily relies on being independent. The support of others, especially from teachers like Mr. Burrus proves to be an important factor in the decisions that we choose to make. To me, going through the narrow gate means having the inspiration from those around me to be courageous, determined, and dedicated to put my all into everything I do, especially when its difficult and draining, because it's so so rewarding in the end.
Yamileth D.
Going through the narrow gate means to me to push myself when things are hard like schoolwork, sports, or other challenges because at the end of the day when pushing myself I not only allow myself to see that things are possible but also show myself that not everything is going to be easy in life
Meet our Founders
Burrus Cox
Burrus Cox is an accomplished educator with experience teaching and leading in three high-performing charter schools in Nashville, most recently at Valor Collegiate Academies. Known for delivering exceptional student outcomes, Burrus has earned Level 5 TVAAS scores—the highest possible rating—for six consecutive tested school years. Over the past six school years, his students have consistently ranked in the top 5% districtwide for both academic achievement and growth.
Burrus now brings his passion for educational excellence to the next chapter of his work: launching The Gate School, a public charter school serving grades 6–8.
In his free time, Burrus enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, serving at his local church, and playing golf.
Meet our Founders
Jim Leckrone
Jim Leckrone is a veteran school leader with more than 25 years of experience in education, including 15 years as the founding principal and current School Director of East End Preparatory School in Nashville.
As founding principal, Jim built East End Prep from 80 kindergarten students to a K–8 school serving over 800 students, establishing it as one of the highest-performing open-enrollment charter schools in Tennessee. Under his leadership, the school has consistently achieved top-quartile results while serving a majority economically disadvantaged population and has been recognized multiple times as a Tennessee Reward School and a U.S. News & World Report Best School.
Jim brings deep expertise in instructional leadership, data-driven improvement, and school operations. He has built strong faculty teams, developed systems that drive student achievement, and created a school model that integrates academics, arts, and athletics.
At The Gate School, Jim leads the design and execution of school systems and operations, ensuring the model is both academically strong and built for long-term success.
