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Excellent

#280 of 1,785 schools in TN

Top 16% in state

Martin Luther King JR School

High School · Davidson County

613 17th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37203

Enrollment

1,219

Student-Teacher

20.3:1

Score

8.0

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Nashville

#16 of 118

public schools

Tennessee high schools

#30 of 361

In district

#21 of 154

Davidson County

Academic performance

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Martin Luther King JR School

Martin Luther King Jr School serves 1,219 students in grades 7 through 12 in Nashville, Tennessee. Located at 613 17th Avenue North in Davidson County, this regular public high school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.3 to 1 with 60 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #1714 out of 1796 schools statewide, placing it in the 5th percentile among Tennessee schools.

This indicates significant room for academic growth and development as the school works to better serve its student community. The surrounding 37203 ZIP code presents an interesting economic landscape, with a median household income of $63,834 and median home values of $441,700. The neighborhood shows educational attainment with 63% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, though the area also faces challenges with a poverty rate of 23.6% among its 18,903 residents.

Martin Luther King Jr School operates within Nashville's dynamic urban environment, serving a diverse student body in one of Tennessee's major metropolitan areas where educational opportunities and community support continue to evolve.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Martin Luther King JR School is 20.3:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.9Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency90.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency76%
Math vs. State Avg+50.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+35.2 pts
Overall Proficiency83%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected+48.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile99th
College Readiness9.9Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation53.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.8Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,421

Martin Luther King JR School — Students at Martin Luther King JR School score 83% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 72.4%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 75.7%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 8 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
79%
ELA
80%
2021*
Math
48%
ELA
71%
2025
Math
90.1%
ELA
76%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Martin Luther King JR School Compares

See how Martin Luther King JR School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.0/10
84th percentile in TN
Academic
9.9/10
9.9/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Location

613 17th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37203

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Martin Luther King JR School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Hume - Fogg High (rated 8.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is TEMPLETON ACADEMY (rated 8.0/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Pearl-Cohn High (rated 5.7/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Nashville, see our Nashville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Head Middle Nashville 0.3 mi 7.3
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF NASHVILLE - MIDTOWN Nashville 0.3 mi
Pearl-Cohn High Nashville 0.8 mi 5.7
UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NASHVILLE Nashville 1.2 mi 7.0
Robert Churchwell Elementary Nashville 1.1 mi 5.0
Hume - Fogg High Nashville 1.1 mi 8.6
Jones Elementary Nashville 1.4 mi 5.4
Carter-Lawrence Elementary Nashville 1.5 mi 4.5
SCHRADER LANE CHILD CARE CENTER Nashville 1.4 mi
Harris-Hillman Special Education Nashville 1.7 mi 7.5
John Early Middle Nashville 1.8 mi 4.4
Rose Park Middle Nashville 1.7 mi 6.4
Eakin Elementary Nashville 1.9 mi 8.2
Hull-Jackson Elementary Nashville 2.0 mi 5.4
ST BERNARD ACADEMY Nashville 2.1 mi 7.4
TEMPLETON ACADEMY Nashville 1.8 mi 8.0
Moses McKissack Middle Nashville 1.7 mi 5.3
Park Avenue Elementary Nashville 1.8 mi 4.2
HERMITAGE HALL Nashville 2.0 mi 6.1
Purpose Prep Nashville 2.3 mi 7.3

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Martin Luther King JR School has a median household income of $69,671. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $519,600, with a median rent of $1,881/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Nolensville High School Nolensville, TN 8.0
Signal Mountain Middle/High School Signal Mountain, TN 8.0
Summit High School Spring Hill, TN 8.0
Centennial High School Franklin, TN 8.2
Green Hill High School Mt. Juliet, TN 7.8
West High School Knoxville, TN 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Martin Luther King JR School

What grades does Martin Luther King JR School serve?

Martin Luther King JR School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Martin Luther King JR School?

Martin Luther King JR School has an enrollment of approximately 1,219 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Martin Luther King JR School?

The student-teacher ratio at Martin Luther King JR School is 20.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Martin Luther King JR School rank in TN?

Martin Luther King JR School is ranked #280 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is Martin Luther King JR School's MySchoolScout rating?

Martin Luther King JR School has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Martin Luther King JR School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Martin Luther King JR School has 72.4% math proficiency and 75.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Martin Luther King JR School a charter school?

No, Martin Luther King JR School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Martin Luther King JR School a Title I school?

No, Martin Luther King JR School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
82 Very Walkable
Transit Score
51 Good Transit
Bike Score
76 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
1,219
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
60
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Davidson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Davidson County
District Enrollment
80,468
Schools in District
162
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,808
District Rank
#21 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 methodology

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