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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

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 metrics
Student Progress10.0Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+10 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics3.2Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-17.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College Readiness7.9Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,421

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%).

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 EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 15.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 10.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 3 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
5%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
25%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.7/10
79th percentile in TN
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
10.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
83 Very Walkable
Transit Score
43 Some Transit
Bike Score
53 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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