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Average

#1269 of 1,785 schools in TN

New Directions Academy

High School · Dickson County

4000 Highway 48 North, Charlotte, TN 37036

Enrollment

36

Student-Teacher

2.2:1

Score

5.3

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Charlotte

#3 of 5

public schools

Tennessee high schools

#255 of 361

In district

#15 of 17

Dickson County

School environment

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About New Directions Academy

New Directions Academy serves 36 students in grades 6-12 in Charlotte, Tennessee, offering an intimate educational environment with an exceptionally low 2.2:1 student-teacher ratio. This regular public high school stands out with 16 full-time equivalent teachers providing highly personalized attention to each student, creating opportunities for individualized learning that larger schools simply cannot match. The school has earned impressive recognition, ranking #67 out of 1,796 schools statewide and placing in the 96th percentile among Tennessee schools.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10, New Directions Academy demonstrates strong performance despite its small size. The remarkably low enrollment allows teachers to know each student personally and tailor instruction to individual needs and learning styles. Located at 4000 Highway 48 North, the school serves families in the 37036 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $68,893 and median home value reaches $248,400.

While only 12% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees, the community maintains a 15.4% poverty rate, reflecting a working-class neighborhood with diverse economic backgrounds. New Directions Academy operates in Dickson County's rural setting, providing students with a close-knit learning community away from urban distractions while maintaining high academic standards.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 36 students, New Directions Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 2.2:1, New Directions Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, New Directions Academy 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 Progress2.3Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.4Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12.5%
Math vs. State Avg-20.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28.3 pts
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-28.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
College Readiness7.9Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio2.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,297

New Directions Academy — Students at New Directions Academy score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 20.3%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 20.2%
School
State
40.8%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
23%
2025
Math
18.8%
ELA
12.5%

* 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: 2.3/10.

How New Directions Academy Compares

See how New Directions Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
29th percentile in TN
Academic
2.4/10
2.4/10
Growth
2.3/10
Below average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Location

4000 Highway 48 North, Charlotte, TN 37036

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering New Directions Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Dickson County High School (rated 6.1/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Dickson), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Montgomery Central High (rated 5.8/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Cunningham), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Creek Wood High School (rated 5.0/10, 3.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Charlotte, see our Charlotte schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Dickson County Distance Learning Academy Charlotte 0.0 mi 6.7
Charlotte Middle School Charlotte 0.1 mi 5.2
Charlotte Elementary Charlotte 0.2 mi 7.1
Creek Wood High School Charlotte 3.9 mi 5.0
Dickson County High School Dickson 6.8 mi 6.1
Vanleer Elementary Vanleer 6.3 mi 6.0
The Discovery School Dickson 7.5 mi 6.0
Special Services Dickson 7.7 mi 6.2
Dickson Middle School Dickson 7.8 mi 6.0
Centennial Elementary Dickson 7.5 mi 6.4
Dickson Elementary Dickson 7.9 mi 7.5
Oakmont Elementary Dickson 9.1 mi 7.2
UNITED CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dickson 9.4 mi 5.7
White Bluff Elementary White Bluff 8.1 mi 7.3
W James Middle School White Bluff 8.7 mi 5.8
Stuart Burns Elementary Burns 10.4 mi 5.7
Burns Middle School Burns 10.9 mi 8.0
Montgomery Central Elementary Cunningham 15.1 mi 5.6
Montgomery Central High Cunningham 15.2 mi 5.8
Montgomery Central Middle Cunningham 15.3 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 37036 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,277

Median Home Value

$254,900

Median Rent

$878/mo

Population

6,653

College Educated

14.7%

Homeownership

93.6%

Avg Commute

36.5 min

Poverty Rate

11.3%

Median Age

39.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding New Directions Academy has a median household income of $72,277. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $254,900, with a median rent of $878/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
STEPPEN STONE ACADEMY Limestone, TN 5.2
STOKES ACADEMY Greeneville, TN 5.1
BLEDSOE YOUTH ACADEMY Gallatin, TN 4.9
Warren County Alternative Academy Mcminnville, TN 4.9
ARCHON ACADEMY Bartlett, TN 5.7
CEDAR GROVE SCHOOL Murfreesboro, TN 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about New Directions Academy

What grades does New Directions Academy serve?

New Directions Academy serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend New Directions Academy?

New Directions Academy has an enrollment of approximately 36 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at New Directions Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at New Directions Academy is 2.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does New Directions Academy rank in TN?

New Directions Academy is ranked #1269 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is New Directions Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

New Directions Academy has a composite rating of 5.3 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 New Directions Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, New Directions Academy has 20.3% math proficiency and 20.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is New Directions Academy a charter school?

No, New Directions Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is New Directions Academy a Title I school?

No, New Directions Academy is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (625/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
36
Student-Teacher Ratio
2.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Dickson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Dickson County
District Enrollment
8,009
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,729
District Rank
#15 of 17

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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