Very Good
#626 of 1,785 schools in TN
Top 35% in state
Lead Academy
High School · Davidson County
1035 1st Ave South, Nashville, TN 37210
Enrollment
486
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
7.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
486
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
7.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Nashville
#42 of 118
public schools
Tennessee high schools
#88 of 361
In district
#51 of 154
Davidson County
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Lead Academy
Lead Academy serves 486 students in grades 9-12 as a public charter high school in Nashville's Davidson County. With 41 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention than many larger high schools. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, ranking #164 out of 1,796 Tennessee high schools, placing it in the 91st percentile statewide.
This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to student achievement and educational excellence within the charter school model. Located at 1035 1st Ave South, Lead Academy sits in the heart of Nashville's urban landscape. The surrounding 37210 neighborhood is economically diverse, with a median household income of $41,736 and home values averaging $295,200.
About one-third of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the community faces economic challenges with a 28.4% poverty rate among its 16,509 residents. As a charter school, Lead Academy operates with greater autonomy than traditional public schools, potentially allowing for innovative teaching approaches and specialized programming tailored to student needs. The school's urban Nashville setting provides students with access to the cultural, educational, and professional opportunities available in Tennessee's capital city.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Lead Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Lead Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Lead Academy — Students at Lead Academy score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from TN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.0/10.
How Lead Academy Compares
See how Lead Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 14.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 22% (2019) to 23.9% (2025).
Location
1035 1st Ave South, Nashville, TN 37210
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lead Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Hume - Fogg High (rated 8.6/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is TEMPLETON ACADEMY (rated 8.0/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Johnson Alternative Learning Center (rated 7.5/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Nashville, see our Nashville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LEAD Cameron Nashville | 0.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Johnson Alternative Learning Center Nashville | 0.2 mi | 7.5 |
| TEMPLETON ACADEMY Nashville | 0.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Napier Elementary Nashville | 0.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Fall-Hamilton Elementary Nashville | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| HERMITAGE HALL Nashville | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Rose Park Middle Nashville | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Hume - Fogg High Nashville | 1.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Explore Community School Nashville | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Carter-Lawrence Elementary Nashville | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| KIPP Academy Nashville Elementary School Nashville | 1.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Warner Elementary Nashville | 1.6 mi | 8.7 |
| Casa Azafran Early Learning Center Nashville | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Meigs Middle Nashville | 1.9 mi | 4.7 |
| STEM Prep Academy Nashville | 1.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Nashville School Of The Arts Nashville | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Ida B. Wells Elementary Nashville | 2.1 mi | 8.3 |
| STEM Prep High School Nashville | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Waverly-Belmont Elementary School Nashville | 2.0 mi | 9.2 |
| GROW ACADEMY Nashville | 2.1 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 37210 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$43,343
Median Home Value
$334,800
Median Rent
$1,250/mo
Population
17,116
College Educated
31.8%
Homeownership
26.6%
Avg Commute
21.6 min
Poverty Rate
27.1%
Median Age
32.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lead Academy has a median household income of $43,343. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $334,800, with a median rent of $1,250/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central High School Englewood, TN | 7.1 |
| Lewis Co High School Hohenwald, TN | 7.1 |
| Middle College High Memphis, TN | 7.1 |
| Perry County High School Linden, TN | 7.1 |
| Van Buren Co High School Spencer, TN | 7.1 |
| Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute Jamestown, TN | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lead Academy
What grades does Lead Academy serve?
Lead Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Lead Academy?
Lead Academy has an enrollment of approximately 486 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lead Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Lead Academy is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lead Academy rank in TN?
Lead Academy is ranked #626 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is Lead Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Lead Academy has a composite rating of 7.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Lead Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lead Academy has 9.7% math proficiency and 22.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lead Academy a charter school?
Yes, Lead Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Lead Academy a Title I school?
No, Lead Academy is not currently a Title I school.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 486
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Davidson County
- Phone
- (615) 327-5422
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Davidson County- District Enrollment
- 80,468
- Schools in District
- 162
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,808
- District Rank
- #51 of 154
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 methodologyRelated reading
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