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Very Good

#663 of 1,785 schools in TN

Top 37% in state

Mcnairy Central High School

High School · McNairy County

493 High School Road, Selmer, TN 38375

Enrollment

713

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

7.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Selmer

#2 of 4

public schools

Tennessee high schools

#96 of 361

In district

#5 of 9

McNairy County

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Mcnairy Central High School

McNairy Central High School serves 713 students in grades 9-12 in Selmer, Tennessee, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing high schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranking 146th out of 1,796 Tennessee schools, the school places in the 92nd percentile statewide for academic achievement. The school maintains a favorable learning environment with 60 full-time equivalent teachers providing an 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention than many larger schools.

This smaller class size can be particularly beneficial for high school students navigating challenging coursework and college preparation. McNairy Central serves a working-class community where the median household income is $45,785 and median home values average $116,000. The school district draws from an area where 11% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and about 18% of families experience poverty.

Despite these economic challenges, the school's strong statewide ranking demonstrates its commitment to student success and educational excellence. Located at 493 High School Road, McNairy Central High School sits in Tennessee's remote rural McNairy County, serving a close-knit community of approximately 8,260 residents who value the personal connections and dedicated teaching that often characterize rural education.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Mcnairy Central High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.39 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency36%
Math vs. State Avg-13.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.8 pts
Overall Proficiency31%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
College Readiness7.9Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,521

Mcnairy Central High School — Students at Mcnairy Central High School score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

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 21.1%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 35.0%
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
21%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2025
Math
25.4%
ELA
36%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Mcnairy Central High School Compares

See how Mcnairy Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
63th percentile in TN
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
5.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Location

493 High School Road, Selmer, TN 38375

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mcnairy Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Adamsville High School (rated 7.8/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Adamsville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ALCORN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Glen), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, CORINTH HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.9/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Corinth), a more accessible option. For more schools in Selmer, see our Selmer schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Selmer Middle School Selmer 1.3 mi 6.8
Selmer Elementary Selmer 1.4 mi 8.7
McNairy County Virtual School K-12 Selmer 1.6 mi 5.6
Bethel Springs Elementary Bethel Springs 5.8 mi 5.6
Ramer Elementary Ramer 7.3 mi 8.6
Adamsville High School Adamsville 8.9 mi 7.8
Michie Elementary Michie 9.4 mi 9.0
Adamsville Elementary Adamsville 10.7 mi 6.3
CORINTH MIDDLE SCHOOL Corinth 15.4 mi 4.4
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH KINDERGARTEN Corinth 15.5 mi
West Hardin Elementary Adamsville 13.3 mi 4.8
CORINTH HIGH SCHOOL Corinth 15.8 mi 4.9
Pickwick Southside School Counce 14.3 mi 8.6
CORINTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Corinth 16.9 mi 4.2
CROSSROADS LEARNING CENTER Corinth 18.2 mi
Hornsby Elementary Hornsby 16.2 mi 7.6
ALCORN CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Glen 19.1 mi 7.2
W Chester Elementary School Henderson 19.2 mi 8.3
ALCORN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Glen 19.2 mi 7.7
ALCORN CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Glen 19.2 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38375 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,108

Median Home Value

$143,500

Median Rent

$677/mo

Population

8,398

College Educated

14.1%

Homeownership

74.7%

Avg Commute

23.7 min

Poverty Rate

17.3%

Median Age

45.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mcnairy Central High School has a median household income of $50,108. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $143,500, with a median rent of $677/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.3%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute Jamestown, TN 7.0
Central High School Englewood, TN 7.1
Grundy County High School Coalmont, TN 6.9
Lead Academy Nashville, TN 7.1
Lewis Co High School Hohenwald, TN 7.1
Sale Creek Middle / High School Sale Creek, TN 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mcnairy Central High School

What grades does Mcnairy Central High School serve?

Mcnairy Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Mcnairy Central High School?

Mcnairy Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 713 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mcnairy Central High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mcnairy Central High School 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 Mcnairy Central High School rank in TN?

Mcnairy Central High School is ranked #663 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is Mcnairy Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mcnairy Central High School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Mcnairy Central High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mcnairy Central High School has 21.1% math proficiency and 35.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mcnairy Central High School a charter school?

No, Mcnairy Central High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mcnairy Central High School a Title I school?

No, Mcnairy Central High School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,739/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Selmer). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
713
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
60
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
McNairy County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

McNairy County
District Enrollment
3,822
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,456
District Rank
#5 of 9

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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