Tennessee is the #18 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,010,361 students across the 1,924 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are , serving 113,820 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 15:1.
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: 5-8
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
1,924 Schools
100,795 Schools
# Students
1,010,361 Students
49,494,894 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
66,543 Teachers
3,241,124 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
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
0.61
0.70
# American Indian Students
1,743 Students
477,337 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
21,159 Students
2,755,585 Students
% Asian Students
2%
6%
# Hispanic Students
149,417 Students
14,721,043 Students
% Hispanic Students
15%
30%
# Black Students
209,192 Students
7,323,773 Students
% Black Students
21%
15%
# White Students
580,693 Students
21,491,186 Students
% White Students
57%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
1,186 Students
185,312 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
46,970 Students
2,514,798 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (TN)
Total Revenue (23-24)
$12,104 MM
Spending (23-24)
$11,597 MM
Revenue / Student (23-24)
$11,980
Spending / Student (23-24)
$11,478
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?
1,924 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, Lincoln County High School vs. Fayetteville High School, Warren County Alternative Academy vs. Warren County High School
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