Tennessee is the #19 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,002,390 students across the 1,914 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are 567 private schools, serving 104,682 students). 90% of all K-12 students in Tennessee attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Tennessee is 34%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 37%.
The top-ranked public schools in Tennessee are Central Magnet School, Merrol Hyde Magnet School, and Mcfadden School Of Excellence. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 43%, with the majority being Black and the student-teacher ratio is 27:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Tennessee (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Central Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 98% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 98% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-12
701 East Main St
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 904-6789
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 904-6789
Rank: #22.
Merrol Hyde Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 97% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 97% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-12
128 Township Dr
Hendersonville, TN 37075
(615) 264-6543
Hendersonville, TN 37075
(615) 264-6543
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Mcfadden School Of Excellence
Magnet School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 93% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
221 Bridge Ave
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
(615) 893-7251
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
(615) 893-7251
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School For The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 98% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 98% (Top 1%)
Reading: 93% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
221 Todd Ln
Smyrna, TN 37167
(615) 904-6715
Smyrna, TN 37167
(615) 904-6715
Rank: #55.
Discovery School
Magnet School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 93% (Top 1%)
Reading: 92% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
1165 Middle Tennessee Blvd
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 895-4973
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 895-4973
Rank: #66.
Lockeland Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
105 South 17th St
Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 258-1330
Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 258-1330
Rank: #77.
Clovercroft Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 92% (Top 1%)
Reading: 87% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
9336 Clovercroft Rd
Franklin, TN 37067
(615) 472-5170
Franklin, TN 37067
(615) 472-5170
Rank: #88.
Meigs Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 91% (Top 1%)
Reading: 87% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-8
713 Ramsey St
Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 271-3222
Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 271-3222
Rank: #99.
Hume - Fogg High School
Magnet School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 86% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
700 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 291-6300
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 291-6300
Rank: #1010.
Jordan Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 92% (Top 1%)
Reading: 82% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
9714 Split Log Rd
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 472-5270
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 472-5270
Overview
This State (TN)
US
# Schools
1,914 Schools
100,525 Schools
# Students
1,002,390 Students
49,339,277 Students
# Teachers
6 Teachers
3,180,552 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
27:1
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (TN)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
34%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
44%
43%
Graduation Rate
90%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
45%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.62
0.71
# American Indian Students
1,736 Students
466,525 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
21,760 Students
2,807,520 Students
% Asian Students
2%
6%
# Hispanic Students
158,586 Students
14,955,622 Students
% Hispanic Students
16%
30%
# Black Students
204,322 Students
7,274,090 Students
% Black Students
20%
15%
# White Students
566,543 Students
21,014,271 Students
% White Students
57%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
1,205 Students
196,971 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
48,234 Students
2,588,398 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (TN)
Total Revenue (24-25)
$12,104 MM
Spending (24-25)
$11,597 MM
Revenue / Student (24-25)
$12,075
Spending / Student (24-25)
$11,570
Best Tennessee Public Schools by County (2026)
Popular neighborhoods: Frayser (22 schools), Whitehaven (18 schools), South Memphis (12 schools), Parkway Village (11 schools), North Memphis (10 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Tennessee?
The top-ranked public schools in Tennessee include Central Magnet School, Merrol Hyde Magnet School, and Mcfadden School Of Excellence.
How many public schools are located in Tennessee?
1,914 public schools are located in Tennessee.
What percentage of students in Tennessee go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Tennessee attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Tennessee?
Minority enrollment in Tennessee is 43%, with the majority being Black.
Which public schools in Tennessee are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Tennessee include: Tennessee Ridge Elementary School vs. Erin Elementary School, John Sevier Middle School vs. Ross N. Robinson Middle School, Lincoln County High School vs. Fayetteville High School
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