Best Schools in Murfreesboro, Tennessee
45 schools · 26 Elementary · 4 Middle · 9 High · 6 Other
Choosing a school in Murfreesboro?
Use this page to compare every school in Murfreesboro by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Overall Creek Elementary
Elementary · Murfreesboro. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Salem Elementary School
Elementary · Murfreesboro. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Mcfadden School of Excellence
Elementary · Rutherford County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Murfreesboro for 2026 are Overall Creek Elementary (8.8/10), Salem Elementary School (8.7/10), and Mcfadden School of Excellence (8.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 39 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
45
32 public · 13 private
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$352,900
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
45
32 public · 13 private
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$352,900
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Murfreesboro
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (39 of 45). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Overall Creek Elementary | 8.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Salem Elementary School | 8.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Mcfadden School of Excellence | 8.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Central Magnet School | 8.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Discovery School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Bradley Academy - an Arts Integrated School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Erma Siegel Elementary | 7.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Homer Pittard Campus School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 9 | Wilson Elementary School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 10 | Cason Lane Academy | 7.3 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.7/10
- Median household income
- $81,294
- Median home value
- $352,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 31%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 64%
36% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Murfreesboro compares
Tennessee rank
#74 of 182
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.3
above Tennessee avg (6.4)
Median household income
$81k
125% of Tennessee median
Schools in this city
39
About Schools in Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Murfreesboro's public school system spans 32 ranked schools across elementary, middle, and high school levels, with an average score of 6.5 out of 10. That average sits at a solid mid-range, but the spread matters: 10 schools — 31% of the total — score 7 or higher, giving families with flexibility in address or enrollment options a real shot at strong placements. The system is large enough to offer meaningful variation, which makes neighborhood research worthwhile before committing to a home or rental.
At the top of the landscape, Oakland High School leads all 32 ranked schools with a score of 8.5 out of 10, the highest in the city. On the elementary side, Salem Elementary School (8.4) and Homer Pittard Campus School (8.3) are the strongest performers, followed closely by Wilson Elementary School at 8.1. Whitworth-Buchanan Middle School stands out at the middle level with an 8.2, a score that ranks it among the city's top five schools overall. Parents moving with children at the middle school stage have a clear high-performing target to consider.
The 6.5 citywide average reflects a system where above-average schools are accessible but not universal. Roughly two-thirds of ranked schools score below 7, so parents relying on default neighborhood assignment should verify their zoned school's individual score rather than assuming proximity to a high-performer carries over. Murfreesboro's growth as a city means school attendance zones can shift — confirming current boundaries directly with Rutherford County Schools is a practical first step.
For families with children entering at multiple grade levels, the good news is that strong options exist across all three tiers — elementary, middle, and high school. Oakland High, Whitworth-Buchanan Middle, and the top elementary cluster give parents a coherent pipeline to aim for. Use individual school scores on MySchoolScout to compare your zoned schools against these benchmarks, and prioritize a visit or contact with your district-assigned school to get current program and enrollment details before making a final decision.
Elementary Schools
26 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 993 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.8 |
| 2 | 965 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.7 |
| 3 | 389 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.7 |
| 4 | 391 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.8 |
| 5 | 342 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.8 |
| 6 | 856 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.6 |
| 7 | 236 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.6 |
| 8 | 664 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.5 |
| 9 | 869 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.3 |
| 10 | 712 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.0 |
Show all 26 elementary schools in Murfreesboro
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 762 students · 6th–8th | 7.1 |
| 2 | 1,191 students · 6th–8th | 6.7 |
| 3 | 1,151 students · 6th–8th | 6.5 |
| 4 | 1,661 students · 6th–8th | 6.1 |
High Schools
9 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,212 students · 6th–12th | 8.0 | ||
| 2 | 1,947 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 | ||
| 3 | 123 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 | ||
| 4 | 1,873 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 | ||
| 5 | 2,124 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 | ||
| 6 | 56 students · 6th–12th | 5.4 | ||
| 7 | 2,233 students · 9th–12th | 5.3 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Cedar Grove School
Private
45 students · 5th–12th | 6.3 | ||
| 2 | 9 students · 9th–11th | — | ||
Other Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abundant Life Christian Academy
Private
35 students · 1st–10th | 7.2 |
| 2 | Providence Christian Academy
Private
656 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.0 |
| 3 | Bill Rice Christian Academy
Private
164 students · Pre-K–11th | 6.2 |
| 4 | Franklin Road Christian School
Private
554 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.2 |
| 5 | 655 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.9 |
| 6 | Bible Church Academy
Private
9 students · 1st–12th | — |
Schools in Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro, Tennessee · 45 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 5 ZIP codes
Median Income
$81,294
Median Home Value
$352,900
Median Rent
$1,386/mo
Population
220,126
College Educated
31%
Homeownership
64%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Community Profile
Murfreesboro has a median household income of $81,294. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $352,900, with a median rent of $1,386/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Tennessee
- Elementary
- 26
- Middle
- 4
- High
- 9
- Other
- 6
Resources
School Districts (2)
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Tennessee
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Murfreesboro, Tennessee
How many schools are in Murfreesboro, Tennessee?
Murfreesboro has 45 schools, including 32 public and 13 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Murfreesboro, Tennessee?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Murfreesboro is 6.7 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Murfreesboro, Tennessee?
The top-ranked school in Murfreesboro on MySchoolScout is Overall Creek Elementary with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Murfreesboro, Tennessee?
The top-ranked elementary school in Murfreesboro on MySchoolScout is Overall Creek Elementary with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Murfreesboro, Tennessee?
The top-ranked middle school in Murfreesboro on MySchoolScout is Whitworth-buchanan Middle School with a composite score of 7.1/10.
What is the best high school in Murfreesboro, Tennessee?
The top-ranked high school in Murfreesboro on MySchoolScout is Central Magnet School with a composite score of 8.0/10.
How many school districts serve Murfreesboro, Tennessee?
Murfreesboro is served by 2 school districts: Murfreesboro, Rutherford County.
What is the education level in Murfreesboro, Tennessee?
According to Census data, 31% of adults in Murfreesboro have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Murfreesboro, Tennessee?
The median household income in Murfreesboro is approximately $81,294 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Murfreesboro, Tennessee?
Yes, Murfreesboro has 13 private schools alongside 32 public schools. The top-rated private school is Abundant Life Christian Academy with a score of 7.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Murfreesboro, Tennessee?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Murfreesboro is 13.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Murfreesboro, Tennessee?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Tennessee Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.