Very Good
#372 of 1,785 schools in TN
Top 21% in state
W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center
High School · Davidson County
5200 Delaware AVE, Nashville, TN 37209
Enrollment
110
Student-Teacher
7.9:1
Score
7.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
110
Student-Teacher
7.9:1
Score
7.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Nashville
#19 of 118
public schools
Tennessee high schools
#49 of 361
In district
#23 of 154
Davidson County
Academic growth
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center
W.A. Bass Alternative Learning Center serves 110 students in grades 9-12 as an alternative high school in Nashville, Tennessee. With 14 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptional 7.9:1 student-teacher ratio, providing individualized attention that alternative education students often need to succeed.
The school has earned recognition for its effectiveness, receiving a 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking an impressive #153 out of 1,796 Tennessee schools, placing it in the 92nd percentile statewide. This strong performance demonstrates the school's success in serving students who may have struggled in traditional educational settings. Located at 5200 Delaware Avenue in Davidson County, W.A.
Bass serves students from the 37209 area, where the median household income is $68,898 and median home value reaches $453,500. The surrounding community is well-educated, with 54% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a poverty rate of 14.4% among its 38,126 residents. The school's alternative approach appears to be making a meaningful difference for students who benefit from smaller class sizes and specialized support.
W.A. Bass Alternative Learning Center operates within Nashville's large city environment, providing crucial educational opportunities for students seeking a different path to graduation.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 110 students, W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center 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.
While current test scores at W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.9:1, W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center — Students at W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center score 18% 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 EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 3 test records from TN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 10.0/10.
How W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center Compares
See how W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 25% (2021).
Location
5200 Delaware AVE, Nashville, TN 37209
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Early College High School (rated 9.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST CECILIA ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, The Academy at Old Cockrill (rated 7.7/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Nashville, see our Nashville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Transitions at Bass Nashville | 0.0 mi | — |
| W. A. Bass Adult Program Nashville | 0.0 mi | — |
| ST ANN SCHOOL Nashville | 0.2 mi | 8.1 |
| The Academy at Old Cockrill Nashville | 0.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Cockrill Elementary Nashville | 0.3 mi | 4.4 |
| MNPS Virtual School Nashville | 0.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Nashville Prep Nashville | 0.6 mi | 1.5 |
| Sylvan Park Elementary Nashville | 0.8 mi | 9.7 |
| Nashville Big Picture High School Nashville | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Moses McKissack Middle Nashville | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Early College High School Nashville | 1.4 mi | 9.3 |
| Park Avenue Elementary Nashville | 1.2 mi | 4.2 |
| ST CECILIA ACADEMY Nashville | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| OVERBROOK SCHOOL Nashville | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| MONTGOMERY BELL ACADEMY Nashville | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| JEWISH MIDDLE SCHOOL OF NASHVILLE Nashville | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| JEWISH MIDDLE SCHOOL OF NASHVILLE Nashville | 2.0 mi | 7.3 |
| THE ENSWORTH SCHOOL-LOWER/MIDDLE CAMPUS Nashville | 2.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Charlotte Park Elementary Nashville | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| SCHRADER LANE CHILD CARE CENTER Nashville | 2.0 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 37209 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,810
Median Home Value
$495,500
Median Rent
$1,580/mo
Population
38,367
College Educated
57.3%
Homeownership
44.8%
Avg Commute
23.2 min
Poverty Rate
13.5%
Median Age
32.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center has a median household income of $75,810. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $495,500, with a median rent of $1,580/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| MADISON ACADEMY Madison, TN | 7.6 |
| Gary Hardin Academy Sevierville, TN | 7.5 |
| Johnson Alternative Learning Center Nashville, TN | 7.5 |
| NATCHEZ TRACE YOUTH ACADEMY Waverly, TN | 7.9 |
| TEMPLETON ACADEMY Nashville, TN | 8.0 |
| The Academy at Hickory Hollow Antioch, TN | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center
What grades does W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center serve?
W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center?
W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center has an enrollment of approximately 110 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center?
The student-teacher ratio at W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center is 7.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center rank in TN?
W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center is ranked #372 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center's MySchoolScout rating?
W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center has a composite rating of 7.7 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 W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center has 15.0% math proficiency and 10.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center a charter school?
No, W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center a Title I school?
No, W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 110
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Davidson County
- Phone
- (615) 298-3278
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Davidson County- District Enrollment
- 80,468
- Schools in District
- 162
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,808
- District Rank
- #23 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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