The brief
The top-rated middle schools in Nashville for 2026 are Valor Voyager Academy (7.6/10), John Trotwood Moore Middle (7.2/10), and Head Middle (7.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 30 middle schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Nashville's middle school landscape spans 30 ranked schools, with performance varying considerably across the metro. The average composite score sits at 5.3 out of 10, but a handful of schools pull well above that mark — only 4 schools, or 13% of the ranked pool, clear the 7-out-of-10 threshold. John Trotwood Moore Middle leads the field at 7.7, followed closely by Strive Collegiate Academy at 7.6 and West End Middle at 7.5. That tight cluster at the top means families have a few genuinely strong options to compare, while the broader spread between the leaders and the metro average signals real differences in academic outcomes across the city. The table below lets you sort by score, school type, and other key metrics to find the best fit for your student.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 17.6
- 27.2
- 37.2
- 47.2
- 57.0
- 66.9
- 76.7
- 86.7
- 96.6
- 106.1
All 30 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 30
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Valor Voyager AcademycharterDavidson Countystudents 513student-teacher ratio 27.0:1grades 5th–8th
- 2John Trotwood Moore MiddleDavidson Countystudents 409student-teacher ratio 19.5:1grades 6th–8th
- 3Head MiddleDavidson Countystudents 551student-teacher ratio 18.4:1grades 5th–8th
- 4Strive Collegiate AcademycharterDavidson Countystudents 229student-teacher ratio 19.1:1grades 6th–8th
- 5Meigs MiddleDavidson Countystudents 693student-teacher ratio 21.0:1grades 5th–8th
- 6West End MiddleDavidson Countystudents 332student-teacher ratio 14.4:1grades 6th–8th
- 7Isaac Litton MiddleDavidson Countystudents 286student-teacher ratio 16.8:1grades 6th–8th
- 8Isaiah T. Creswell Middle School of the ArtsDavidson Countystudents 302student-teacher ratio 13.7:1grades 5th–8th
- 9Rose Park MiddleDavidson Countystudents 387student-teacher ratio 16.1:1grades 5th–8th
- 10East Nashville MiddleDavidson Countystudents 285student-teacher ratio 15.0:1grades 5th–8th
- 11Lead CameroncharterDavidson Countystudents 496student-teacher ratio 10.8:1grades 5th–8th
- 12H. G. Hill MiddleDavidson Countystudents 433student-teacher ratio 14.9:1grades 6th–8th
- 13Margaret Allen MiddleDavidson Countystudents 294student-teacher ratio 12.8:1grades 6th–8th
- 14Mcmurray MiddleDavidson Countystudents 686student-teacher ratio 15.6:1grades 5th–8th
- 15Wright MiddleDavidson Countystudents 658student-teacher ratio 14.3:1grades 5th–8th
- 16William Henry Oliver MiddleDavidson Countystudents 614student-teacher ratio 18.1:1grades 5th–8th
- 17John Early MiddleDavidson Countystudents 169student-teacher ratio 10.6:1grades 6th–8th
- 18Donelson MiddleDavidson Countystudents 430student-teacher ratio 13.4:1grades 6th–8th
- 19Kipp Academy NashvillecharterDavidson Countystudents 391student-teacher ratio 65.2:1grades 5th–8th
- 20Bellevue MiddleDavidson Countystudents 382student-teacher ratio 19.1:1grades 6th–8th
- 21Two Rivers MiddleDavidson Countystudents 244student-teacher ratio 12.8:1grades 6th–8th
- 22Croft MiddleDavidson Countystudents 467student-teacher ratio 15.6:1grades 6th–8th
- 23Kipp Nashville College PrepcharterDavidson Countystudents 348student-teacher ratio 26.8:1grades 5th–8th
- 24Jere Baxter MiddleDavidson Countystudents 379student-teacher ratio 17.2:1grades 6th–8th
- 25Moses Mckissack MiddleDavidson Countystudents 122student-teacher ratio 15.2:1grades 6th–8th
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Tennessee education department. Rankings are relative to all public middle schools in Tennessee. Learn about our methodology.
The map
The top 25 pinned; open a pin for the campus.Campus by campus
What each of the top ten reports.- 1
Valor Voyager Academy
Davidson County
513 students · 27.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–8th
Top 26% in Tennessee · charter
- Academics
- 8.9
- Growth
- 9.8
- Environment
- 2.3
- 2
John Trotwood Moore Middle
Davidson County
409 students · 19.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 34% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 9.0
- Growth
- 7.2
- Environment
- 4.7
- 3
Head Middle
Davidson County
551 students · 18.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–8th
Top 34% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 8.8
- Growth
- 5.3
- Environment
- 8.1
- 4
Strive Collegiate Academy
Davidson County
229 students · 19.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 34% in Tennessee · charter
- Academics
- 6.8
- Growth
- 9.6
- Environment
- 4.0
- 5
Meigs Middle
Davidson County
693 students · 21.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–8th
Top 38% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 10.0
- Growth
- 7.0
- Environment
- 2.9
- 6
West End Middle
Davidson County
332 students · 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 41% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 7.3
- Growth
- 5.0
- Environment
- 9.3
- 7
Isaac Litton Middle
Davidson County
286 students · 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 45% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 4.7
- Growth
- 8.7
- Environment
- 6.2
- 8
Isaiah T. Creswell Middle School of the Arts
Davidson County
302 students · 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–8th
Top 45% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 4.0
- Growth
- 7.1
- Environment
- 9.8
- 9
Rose Park Middle
Davidson County
387 students · 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–8th
Top 48% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 6.7
- Growth
- 4.4
- Environment
- 9.8
- 10
East Nashville Middle
Davidson County
285 students · 15.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–8th
Top 58% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 1.8
- Growth
- 7.7
- Environment
- 9.6
Questions
What is the best middle school in Nashville, Tennessee?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Valor Voyager Academy is the top-rated middle school in Nashville with a composite score of 7.6/10. 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 middle schools are in Nashville, Tennessee?
Nashville has 31 middle schools, including 9 charter schools. Of these, 31 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in Nashville?
Among 31 Nashville middle schools with a composite score, the average is 5.1/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Tennessee).
How does MySchoolScout rate middle 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 middle school rankings?
Nashville has 9 charter middle 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 high 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