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6.4 avg / 10

Best Schools in Nashville, Tennessee

167 schools · 83 Elementary · 32 Middle · 33 High · 19 Other

Public: 121
Private: 46
Districts: 5
Avg Rating: 6.4/10
Estimated Scores: 28%

Family Snapshot

At a glance
Avg school rating
6.4/10

38% of schools rated 7+

Median household income
$86,328

Census ACS, ZIPs in this city

Median home value
$534,447

Owner-occupied units

Bachelor's degree or higher
56%

Adults 25+

Avg commute
23 min

Workers age 16+

Owner-occupied homes
52%

Of occupied housing units

How Nashville compares

Tennessee rank

#89 of 182

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

+0.1

above Tennessee avg (6.3)

Median household income

$86k

133% of Tennessee median

Schools in this city

157

About Schools in Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville's public school system spans 118 ranked schools, giving families a wide field to navigate. The citywide average sits at 6.2 out of 10, but that number masks real variation — 43 schools, or 36% of the total, score 7 or higher, meaning strong options exist across multiple neighborhoods and grade levels.

At the top of the rankings, Sylvan Park Elementary leads all Nashville public schools with a 9.7 out of 10, the highest score in the city. Rosebank Elementary and Early College High School both score 9.3, followed closely by John B. Whitsitt Elementary and Waverly-Belmont Elementary School, each at 9.2. Four of the five top-ranked schools are elementaries, which matters for parents in the early-grades search — competition for seats in these schools can be significant.

The spread between the city average and the top tier is notable. A 9.7 score at Sylvan Park against a citywide mean of 6.2 represents a wide performance gap, and parents should expect that school quality varies considerably by zone. Families zoned to lower-scoring schools do have options: Nashville operates magnet and choice programs that allow some students to attend schools outside their home zone, though availability and eligibility rules apply. Researching both your zoned school and accessible choice schools is a practical first step.

For parents comparing Nashville against other Tennessee cities or national benchmarks, the 36% rate of schools scoring 7 or above gives a concrete baseline. When touring schools or reviewing performance data, scores in that 7-to-10 range signal above-average academic outcomes relative to state and national peers. The cluster of high-performing elementaries suggests that younger students, depending on location, may have strong foundational options — while families with high schoolers should look closely at Early College High School as a standout at that level. Start with your assigned school, check its score against the city average, and use the choice system to broaden your options if needed.

Elementary Schools

83 schools
# School Rating
1 439 students · Kindergarten–5th 9.7
2 440 students · Pre-K–5th 9.3
3 504 students · Pre-K–5th 9.2
4 528 students · Kindergarten–5th 9.2
5 435 students · Pre-K–5th 9.1
6 499 students · Kindergarten–5th 9.0
7 604 students · Pre-K–5th 8.9
8 390 students · Pre-K–5th 8.7
9 204 students · Pre-K–5th 8.3
10 322 students · Kindergarten–5th 8.3
11 544 students · Kindergarten–5th 8.2
12 396 students · Pre-K–5th 8.0
13 438 students · Pre-K–5th 7.9
14 413 students · Kindergarten–4th 7.7
15 534 students · Kindergarten–5th 7.6
16 717 students · Pre-K–5th 7.4
17 317 students · Pre-K–5th 7.4
18 560 students · Kindergarten–8th 7.4
19 565 students · Pre-K–4th 7.3
20 419 students · Kindergarten–5th 7.3
21 265 students · Pre-K–5th 7.2
22 494 students · Kindergarten–5th 7.2
23 450 students · Pre-K–5th 7.2
24 34 students · Kindergarten–8th 7.1
25 756 students · Kindergarten–8th 7.0
Show 58 more elementary schools
26 714 students · Pre-K–5th 6.9
27 633 students · Pre-K–4th 6.9
28 514 students · Pre-K–5th 6.8
29 222 students · Pre-K–5th 6.8
30 537 students · Kindergarten–8th 6.8
31 617 students · Pre-K–5th 6.6
32 642 students · Pre-K–5th 6.0
33 359 students · Pre-K–5th 5.9
34 295 students · Pre-K–5th 5.9
35 442 students · Pre-K–6th 5.8
36 538 students · Pre-K–4th 5.7
37 289 students · Pre-K–5th 5.7
38 466 students · Kindergarten–5th 5.7
39 357 students · Pre-K–4th 5.6
40 360 students · Pre-K–5th 5.4
41 441 students · Kindergarten–5th 5.4
42 527 students · Pre-K–4th 5.4
43 242 students · Pre-K–5th 5.4
44 292 students · Pre-K–5th 5.0
45 613 students · Kindergarten–7th 4.9
46 704 students · Pre-K–4th 4.9
47 216 students · Pre-K–5th 4.8
48 263 students · Pre-K–5th 4.8
49 552 students · Pre-K–4th 4.7
50 737 students · Pre-K–5th 4.7
51 199 students · Pre-K–5th 4.5
52 282 students · Pre-K–5th 4.4
53 330 students · Kindergarten–4th 4.4
54 330 students · Pre-K–5th 4.2
55 499 students · Kindergarten–4th 3.3
56 204 students · Kindergarten–8th 3.3
57 510 students · Kindergarten–5th 1.3
58 29 students · Pre-K–5th
Private Schools 25 schools

Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.

1 107 students · Pre-K–7th Not Rated
2 47 students · Pre-K–8th Not Rated
3 146 students · Pre-K–8th Not Rated
4 76 students · Pre-K–8th Not Rated
5 496 students · Pre-K–8th Not Rated
6 362 students · Pre-K–8th Not Rated
7 316 students · Kindergarten–6th Not Rated
8 154 students · Pre-K–8th Not Rated
9 119 students · Pre-K–8th Not Rated
10 286 students · Pre-K–8th Not Rated
11 110 students · Pre-K–8th Not Rated
12 30 students · Pre-K–5th Not Rated
13 128 students · Kindergarten–6th Not Rated
14 236 students · Pre-K–8th Not Rated
15 473 students · Pre-K–6th Not Rated
16 144 students · Kindergarten–6th Not Rated
17 282 students · Pre-K–8th Not Rated
18 94 students · Kindergarten–6th Not Rated
19 10 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten Not Rated
20 24 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten Not Rated
21 14 students · Kindergarten–8th Not Rated
22 24 students · Kindergarten–4th Not Rated
23 11 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten Not Rated
24 10 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten Not Rated
25 7 students · Pre-K–T1 Not Rated

Middle Schools

32 schools
# School Rating
1 409 students · 6th–8th 7.7
2 229 students · 6th–8th 7.6
3 332 students · 6th–8th 7.5
4 551 students · 5th–8th 7.3
5 302 students · 5th–8th 6.9
6 513 students · 5th–8th 6.5
7 387 students · 5th–8th 6.4
8 382 students · 6th–8th 6.1
9 286 students · 6th–8th 6.0
10 467 students · 6th–8th 5.8
11 496 students · 5th–8th 5.7
12 430 students · 6th–8th 5.4
13 433 students · 6th–8th 5.4
14 244 students · 6th–8th 5.4
15 122 students · 6th–8th 5.3
16 391 students · 5th–8th 5.3
17 506 students · 5th–8th 5.3
18 294 students · 6th–8th 5.1
19 658 students · 5th–8th 5.1
20 379 students · 6th–8th 5.0
21 614 students · 5th–8th 4.8
22 693 students · 5th–8th 4.7
23 285 students · 5th–8th 4.7
24 686 students · 5th–8th 4.6
25 169 students · 6th–8th 4.4
Show 7 more middle schools
26 252 students · 6th–8th 4.2
27 249 students · 5th–8th 3.5
28 348 students · 5th–8th 3.2
29 267 students · 5th–8th 2.8
30 211 students · 5th–8th 1.5
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 37 students · 5th–8th Not Rated
2 37 students · 5th–8th Not Rated

High Schools

33 schools
# School Rating
1 160 students · 9th–12th 9.3
2 893 students · 9th–12th 8.6
3 547 students · 9th–12th 8.2
4 1,219 students · 7th–12th 8.0
5 110 students · 9th–12th 7.7
6 31 students · 9th–12th 7.7
7 31 students · 9th–12th 7.7
8 467 students · 9th–12th 7.6
9 1,394 students · 9th–12th 7.5
10 117 students · 5th–12th 7.5
11 569 students · 9th–12th 7.4
12 486 students · 9th–12th 7.1
13 1,244 students · 9th–12th 6.9
14 1,403 students · 5th–12th 6.6
15 150 students · 9th–12th 6.5
16 756 students · 6th–12th 6.1
17 502 students · 9th–12th 5.8
18 1,969 students · 9th–12th 5.7
19 545 students · 9th–12th 5.7
20 850 students · 5th–12th 5.7
21 624 students · 9th–12th 5.5
22 1,077 students · 9th–12th 4.9
23 1,907 students · 9th–12th 4.8
24 686 students · 9th–12th 4.0
25 283 students · 9th–12th
Show 8 more high schools
26 20 students · 9th–12th
Private Schools 7 schools

Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.

1 122 students · 5th–12th Not Rated
2 243 students · 9th–12th Not Rated
3 720 students · 5th–12th Not Rated
4 863 students · 9th–12th Not Rated
5 49 students · 8th–12th Not Rated
6 822 students · 7th–12th Not Rated
7 437 students · 9th–12th Not Rated

Other Schools

19 schools
# School Rating
1 114 students · Pre-K–12th 7.7
2 486 students · Pre-K–12th 7.5
3 77 students · Kindergarten–12th 6.9
4 229 students · Pre-K–Pre-K 6.4
5 154 students · Pre-K–Pre-K 6.3
6 152 students · 4th–12th 5.8
7 92 students · Pre-K–Pre-K 5.5
Private Schools 12 schools

Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.

1 129 students · Pre-K–11th Not Rated
2 40 students · UG–UG Not Rated
3 54 students · 3rd–12th Not Rated
4 1,071 students · Kindergarten–12th Not Rated
5 583 students · Kindergarten–12th Not Rated
6 71 students · 1st–12th Not Rated
7 1,213 students · Pre-K–12th Not Rated
8 79 students · Kindergarten–10th Not Rated
9 1,184 students · Kindergarten–12th Not Rated
10 88 students · 3rd–12th Not Rated
11 641 students · Pre-K–12th Not Rated
12 927 students · Pre-K–12th Not Rated

Schools in Nashville

Nashville, Tennessee · 167 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 18 ZIP codes

Median Income

$86,328

Median Home Value

$534,447

Median Rent

$1,542/mo

Population

471,500

College Educated

56%

Homeownership

52%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

13.8%

Community Profile

Nashville has a median household income of $86,328. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $534,447, with a median rent of $1,542/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.8%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

Total Schools
167
Elementary
83
Middle
32
High
33
Districts
5
Avg Rating
6.4/10

Featured Rankings

See our in-depth rankings with interactive maps, score breakdowns, and school spotlights.

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Nashville, Tennessee

How many schools are in Nashville, Tennessee?

Nashville has 167 schools, including 121 public and 46 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Nashville, Tennessee?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Nashville is 6.4 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Nashville, Tennessee?

The top-ranked school in Nashville on MySchoolScout is Sylvan Park Elementary with a composite score of 9.7/10.

What is the best elementary school in Nashville, Tennessee?

The top-ranked elementary school in Nashville on MySchoolScout is Sylvan Park Elementary with a composite score of 9.7/10.

What is the best middle school in Nashville, Tennessee?

The top-ranked middle school in Nashville on MySchoolScout is John Trotwood Moore Middle with a composite score of 7.7/10.

What is the best high school in Nashville, Tennessee?

The top-ranked high school in Nashville on MySchoolScout is Early College High School with a composite score of 9.3/10.

How many school districts serve Nashville, Tennessee?

Nashville is served by 5 school districts: Tennessee School for Blind, Tennessee Schools for the Deaf, Achievement School District, Tennessee Public Charter School Commission, Davidson County.

What is the education level in Nashville, Tennessee?

According to Census data, 56% of adults in Nashville have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Nashville, Tennessee?

The median household income in Nashville is approximately $86,328 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

Are there private schools in Nashville, Tennessee?

Yes, Nashville has 46 private schools alongside 121 public schools. The top-rated private school is Nashville International Academy with a score of 8.5/10.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Nashville, Tennessee?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Nashville is 15.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Nashville, 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.

Related reading

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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.