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
Enrollment
713
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Mcnairy Central High School — Students at Mcnairy Central High School score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
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: 5.8/10.
How Mcnairy Central High School Compares
See how Mcnairy Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 21% (2019) to 25.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 36% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (731) 645-3226
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
McNairy County- District Enrollment
- 3,822
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,456
- District Rank
- #5 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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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