Davidson County School District
School District · Nashville, Tennessee
Avg Rating
6.2
out of 10
Schools
157
81 elem, 37 mid, 32 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,808
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Avg Rating
6.2
out of 10
Schools
157
81 elem, 37 mid, 32 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,808
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
How this district compares
Tennessee rank
#88 of 134
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
-0.1
below Tennessee avg
Per-pupil spending
$17,808
+$6,397 vs Tennessee median
District size
80,468 students
Much larger than Tennessee median
About Davidson County
Davidson County School District serves 80,468 students across 162 schools in Tennessee, making it one of the state's largest public school systems. Of those, 154 schools carry a ranking on MySchoolScout, averaging a score of 6.2 out of 10. That middle-of-the-road average means school selection matters here — performance varies meaningfully across the district, and knowing which campuses consistently outperform peers gives families a real edge.
At the elementary level, the district has several standout options. Sylvan Park Elementary leads the entire district with a 9.7 out of 10, the highest score among all ranked schools. Rosebank Elementary follows at 9.3, and John B. Whitsitt Elementary and Waverly-Belmont Elementary School each earn a 9.2. These four schools sit well above the district's 6.2 average, signaling strong academic programming and consistent outcomes for younger students. Parents prioritizing elementary education will find that the district's top tier is competitive by any measure.
At the secondary level, Early College High School earns a 9.3 out of 10, matching Rosebank and placing it among the district's five highest-rated campuses overall. The school's name reflects a model that gives students access to college-level coursework before graduation — a meaningful distinction for families planning ahead for post-secondary outcomes.
With 162 total schools and an enrollment nearing 80,500, Davidson County offers genuine range. Families who research individual school scores rather than relying on the district average will find options that outperform most peer districts statewide. The concentration of high-scoring elementaries gives younger students a strong entry point, while Early College High School provides a clearly differentiated path at the secondary level. Parents comparing schools in this district should look closely at campus-level data — the gap between the district average and its top performers is wide enough that school choice has a direct impact on the educational experience a student receives.
District Map
Schools in Davidson County, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Davidson County with test data.
Schools in Davidson County
157 schools Elementary Schools 81
Middle Schools 37
High Schools 32
District Details
- State
- Tennessee
- City
- Nashville
- Total Enrollment
- 80,468
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4,912
- Child Poverty Rate
- 0.2%
- Data Year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Davidson County?
Davidson County has 157 schools in total — 81 elementary, 37 middle, and 32 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Davidson County?
The average composite rating for Davidson County is 6.2/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the per-pupil spending in Davidson County?
Davidson County spends $17,808 per student per year.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Davidson County?
The average student-teacher ratio in Davidson County is 16.4:1.
What is the top-rated school in Davidson County?
Sylvan Park Elementary is the highest-rated school in Davidson County with a composite score of 9.7/10.
What are the test scores in Davidson County?
Across schools in Davidson County with test data, the average math proficiency is 23.7% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 25.8%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Davidson County compare to other districts in Tennessee?
Davidson County has an average school rating of 6.2/10 across 157 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in Tennessee by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings are based on a comprehensive methodology that weighs Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 6.2/10
- Math Proficiency
- 23.7%
- ELA Proficiency
- 25.8%
Resources
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 methodologyOther School Districts in TN
Compare Davidson County with neighboring districts in the state.
- Memphis-shelby County Schools (222)
- Knox County (94)
- Hamilton County (81)
- Sumner County (52)
- Williamson County (52)
- Rutherford County (51)
- Montgomery County (44)
- Sevier County (33)
- Madison County (26)
- Wilson County (25)
- Maury County (23)
- Robertson County (23)
- Blount County (22)
- Putnam County (22)
- Anderson County (19)
- Hamblen County (18)
- Bradley County (18)
- Greene County (18)
- Hawkins County (18)
- Roane County (18)
- Dickson County (17)
- Sullivan County (17)
- Campbell County (16)
- Carter County (15)
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.
Related reading
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