The brief
The top-rated high schools in Nashville for 2026 are Early College High School (9.3/10), Martin Luther King JR School (8.6/10), and Hume - Fogg High (8.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 23 high schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Nashville's 24 ranked high schools span a competitive range, with Early College High School leading the metro at 9.3 out of 10 — a full point ahead of second-place Hume-Fogg High at 8.6. That gap at the top reflects how sharply differentiated the local options are, making school selection a meaningful decision for families. Half of Nashville's ranked high schools score 7.0 or above, and the metro average sits at 6.8 — suggesting a solid middle tier alongside a standout upper tier. East Nashville Magnet High School and Martin Luther King Jr School round out the top four, both clearing 8.0. The table below lets you sort by overall score, enrollment, and other key metrics to find the fit that makes sense for your student. Use the filters to narrow by neighborhood or school type and compare options side by side.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 19.3
- 28.6
- 38.0
- 47.1
- 57.0
- 66.9
- 76.9
- 86.6
- 96.5
- 106.5
All 23 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.All 23
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Early College High SchoolDavidson Countystudents 160student-teacher ratio 13.3:1grades 9th–12th
- 2Martin Luther King JR SchoolDavidson Countystudents 1,219student-teacher ratio 20.3:1grades 7th–12th
- 3Hume - Fogg HighDavidson Countystudents 893student-teacher ratio 19.0:1grades 9th–12th
- 4W.a. Bass Alternative Learning CenterDavidson Countystudents 110student-teacher ratio 7.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 5The Academy at Old CockrillDavidson Countystudents 31student-teacher ratio 4.4:1grades 9th–12th
- 6Lead SoutheastcharterDavidson Countystudents 850student-teacher ratio 12.5:1grades 5th–12th
- 7Johnson Alternative Learning CenterDavidson Countystudents 117student-teacher ratio 8.4:1grades 5th–12th
- 8Stem Prep High SchoolcharterDavidson Countystudents 502student-teacher ratio 27.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 9Nashville School of the ArtsDavidson Countystudents 569student-teacher ratio 17.2:1grades 9th–12th
- 10Valor Flagship AcademycharterDavidson Countystudents 1,403student-teacher ratio 20.3:1grades 5th–12th
- 11Kipp Nashville Collegiate High SchoolcharterDavidson Countystudents 467student-teacher ratio 19.5:1grades 9th–12th
- 12Lead AcademycharterDavidson Countystudents 486student-teacher ratio 11.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 13East Nashville Magnet High SchoolDavidson Countystudents 547student-teacher ratio 16.1:1grades 9th–12th
- 14Nashville Big Picture High SchoolDavidson Countystudents 150student-teacher ratio 9.4:1grades 9th–12th
- 15Republic High SchoolcharterDavidson Countystudents 624student-teacher ratio 36.7:1grades 9th–12th
- 16Hillsboro HighDavidson Countystudents 1,244student-teacher ratio 20.1:1grades 9th–12th
- 17Pearl-Cohn HighDavidson Countystudents 545student-teacher ratio 17.0:1grades 9th–12th
- 18Hunters Lane HighDavidson Countystudents 1,394student-teacher ratio 17.0:1grades 9th–12th
- 19Stratford Stem Magnet SchoolDavidson Countystudents 756student-teacher ratio 15.4:1grades 6th–12th
- 20John Overton HighDavidson Countystudents 1,969student-teacher ratio 18.4:1grades 9th–12th
- 21Glencliff High SchoolDavidson Countystudents 1,077student-teacher ratio 17.4:1grades 9th–12th
- 22Mcgavock HighDavidson Countystudents 1,907student-teacher ratio 17.5:1grades 9th–12th
- 23Maplewood HighDavidson Countystudents 686student-teacher ratio 19.1:1grades 9th–12th
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Tennessee education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in Tennessee. Learn about our methodology.
The map
The top 23 pinned; open a pin for the campus.Campus by campus
What each of the top ten reports.- 1
Early College High School
Davidson County
160 students · 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 2% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 9.8
- Growth
- 9.9
- Environment
- 9.9
- 2
Martin Luther King JR School
Davidson County
1,219 students · 20.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–12th
Top 9% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 10.0
- Growth
- 7.5
- Environment
- 6.9
- 3
Hume - Fogg High
Davidson County
893 students · 19.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 18% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 10.0
- Growth
- 3.7
- Environment
- 8.4
- 4
W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center
Davidson County
110 students · 7.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 36% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 3.1
- Growth
- 9.5
- Environment
- 9.9
- 5
The Academy at Old Cockrill
Davidson County
31 students · 4.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 39% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 4.2
- Growth
- 9.2
- Environment
- 9.9
- 6
Lead Southeast
Davidson County
850 students · 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–12th
Top 41% in Tennessee · charter
- Academics
- 6.3
- Growth
- 4.6
- Environment
- 9.9
- 7
Johnson Alternative Learning Center
Davidson County
117 students · 8.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–12th
Top 41% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 2.0
- Growth
- 9.8
- Environment
- 9.9
- 8
Stem Prep High School
Davidson County
502 students · 27.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 48% in Tennessee · charter
- Academics
- 4.3
- Growth
- 9.4
- Environment
- 2.0
- 9
Nashville School of the Arts
Davidson County
569 students · 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 50% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 7.5
- Growth
- 2.1
- Environment
- 7.3
- 10
Valor Flagship Academy
Davidson County
1,403 students · 20.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–12th
Top 50% in Tennessee · charter
- Academics
- 8.9
- Growth
- 2.4
- Environment
- 4.4
Questions
What is the best high school in Nashville, Tennessee?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Early College High School is the top-rated high school in Nashville with a composite score of 9.3/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many high schools are in Nashville, Tennessee?
Nashville has 34 high schools, including 6 charter schools. Of these, 31 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Nashville?
Among 31 Nashville high schools with a composite score, the average is 6.0/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Tennessee).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Schools with enough data receive a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Tennessee, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Tennessee, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Nashville high school rankings?
Nashville has 6 charter high schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
How should I use this ranking?
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Explore more
- Best elementary schools in Nashville2026 rankings and ratings
- Best middle schools in Nashville2026 rankings and ratings
- All 176 schools in NashvilleElementary, middle and high
- Tennessee schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings