Skip to main content

Very Good

#579 of 1,786 schools in TN

Top 32% in state

Head Middle

Middle School · Davidson County

1830 Jo Johnston AVE, Nashville, TN 37203

Enrollment

551

Student-Teacher

18.4:1

Score

7.3

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#579 of 1,786

In Nashville

#29 of 118

public schools

In district

#35 of 154

Davidson County

Academic performance

8.9 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Head Middle?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Head Middle

7.3/10

Middle School in Nashville · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Primrose School of Nashville - Midtown

Nearby

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Martin Luther King JR School

8.4/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Head Middle

Head Middle is a public middle school in Nashville, TN, part of Davidson County. Head Middle serves approximately 551 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 18.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Head Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #579 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for Head Middle show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.4 pts above district
  • This school 7.3 · Very Good
  • District avg 4.9
  • TN avg 6.0

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.3Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.49 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52.6% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.3% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg+13.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.5 pts
Overall Proficiency52% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected+18.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,808
Chronic Absenteeism13.4%

Head Middle — Students at Head Middle score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 51.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 55.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 TCAP)

Based on 30 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
42%
ELA
63%
2010
Math
48%
ELA
68%
2011
Math
65%
ELA
73%
2012
Math
66%
ELA
74%
2013
Math
70%
ELA
70%
2014
Math
71%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
56%
ELA
45%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
49%
2018
Math
55%
ELA
46%
2019
Math
55%
ELA
46%
2020*
Math
23%
ELA
31%
2021*
Math
23%
ELA
31%
2022
Math
41.6%
ELA
51.4%
2025
Math
52.6%
ELA
52.3%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.3/10.

How Head Middle Compares

See how Head Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
68th percentile in TN
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
5.3/10
Average
Environment
8.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1830 Jo Johnston AVE, Nashville, TN 37203

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Head Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. JEWISH MIDDLE SCHOOL OF NASHVILLE (rated 7.3/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Rose Park Middle (rated 6.7/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, John Early Middle (rated 4.8/10, 2.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Nashville, see our Nashville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF NASHVILLE - MIDTOWN Nashville 0.2 mi
Martin Luther King Jr School Nashville 0.3 mi 8.4
Pearl-Cohn High Nashville 0.7 mi 4.1
UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NASHVILLE Nashville 1.0 mi 7.0
Robert Churchwell Elementary Nashville 1.2 mi 5.8
Harris-Hillman Special Education Nashville 1.5 mi 4.3
SCHRADER LANE CHILD CARE CENTER Nashville 1.3 mi
Hume - Fogg High Nashville 1.2 mi 8.0
Jones Elementary Nashville 1.5 mi 3.3
Carter-Lawrence Elementary Nashville 1.5 mi 7.1
Eakin Elementary Nashville 1.6 mi 8.5
Park Avenue Elementary Nashville 1.5 mi 3.6
ST BERNARD ACADEMY Nashville 1.9 mi 7.4
Moses McKissack Middle Nashville 1.5 mi 3.3
Rose Park Middle Nashville 1.7 mi 6.7
John Early Middle Nashville 2.0 mi 4.8
Hull-Jackson Elementary Nashville 2.1 mi 6.5
JEWISH MIDDLE SCHOOL OF NASHVILLE Nashville 2.0 mi 7.5
JEWISH MIDDLE SCHOOL OF NASHVILLE Nashville 2.0 mi 7.3
HERMITAGE HALL Nashville 2.0 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 37203 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,671

Median Home Value

$519,600

Median Rent

$1,881/mo

Population

20,234

College Educated

67.4%

Homeownership

19.3%

Avg Commute

17.5 min

Poverty Rate

22.1%

Median Age

30.7

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Cascade Middle School Wartrace, TN 7.3
Jefferson Middle School Oak Ridge, TN 7.3
John Trotwood Moore Middle Nashville, TN 7.3
Northview Middle School Newbern, TN 7.3
Westmoreland Middle School Westmoreland, TN 7.3
Avery Trace Middle School Cookeville, TN 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Head Middle

What grades does Head Middle serve?

Head Middle serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Head Middle?

Head Middle has an enrollment of approximately 551 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Head Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Head Middle is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Head Middle rank in TN?

Head Middle ranks #579 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is Head Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Head Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Head Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Head Middle has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Head Middle a charter school?

No, Head Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Head Middle a Title I school?

No, Head Middle is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
70 Very Walkable
Transit Score
47 Some Transit
Bike Score
71 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
551
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Davidson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.4%

District

Davidson County
District Enrollment
80,468
Schools in District
162
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,808
District Rank
#35 of 154

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 rate

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.