The school was founded 1925 by Alphonse John Smith, the bishop of Diocese of Nashville.

[4] On January 4, 1965, Father Ryan competed against Pearl High School in basketball at Municipal Auditorium.

[6] Father Ryan High School's first campus was at 2300 Elliston Place, which was dedicated in 1929.

Father Ryan remained there for 62 years and expanded twice, but eventually it outgrew these facilities and during the summer of 1991 relocated to its present home on Norwood Drive in the Oak Hill area of Nashville, TN.

These include the oak doors, previously the entrance to the old campus, which are now part of the Neuhoff Library.

The demographic breakdown of the 863 students enrolled in 2021–2022 was:[1] Father Ryan High School has 31 visual and performing arts programs.

[10] The band has its marching season in the fall, performing at home football games during half-time.

Through the competitive winter season, the band has won numerous state and world champion titles.

[11] Father Ryan is a member of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association and Division II Class AAA E/M Region.

The Father Ryan athletic program includes football, basketball, soccer, golf, baseball, track, cross country, volleyball, golf, swimming & diving, tennis, softball, wrestling, lacrosse, ice hockey, bowling, cheerleading and rugby.

[12] [citation needed] In 2019, Father Ryan announced plans to create a house system in the style of other catholic schools, which they began in 2020.