If you are moving to Nashville with kids, then choosing a top-rated school district and reliable school is probably one of your top priorities. Choosing a school can feel overwhelming at first, but if you know what to look for, the process can be smooth and seamless. When searching for a neighborhood and school, you will want to take into consideration the following criteria:
- Student improvement
- Test scores
- Classroom size
- College readiness measures
- AP participation rate
- Programs for gifted students
- Extracurricular activities
- Awards
- Noteworthy programs such as athletics, art, music, or STEM
When living in the Nashville area, you will be served by the Metropolitan Nashville Public School System (MNPS). The district is the second largest school district in Tennessee and consists of 159 schools and serves nearly 85,000 students. In addition to public schools, there are also many private schools and magnet schools that offer students a specialized education experience.
The Metro Nashville School System ranked well on the 2021-2022 State Report Card and has plans to rank even higher for the 2022-2023 school year. MNPS offers many college preparation opportunities as well as work-based learning programs to prepare students for life after they graduate.
This guide to the best schools in Nashville, TN highlights the top-rated K-12 schools as well as some of Nashville’s best private schools.
Best High Schools in Nashville
When searching for the best high schools in Nashville, there is no shortage of amazing public and magnet schools to choose from. Here are a few of the top-rated high schools in Nashville, TN.
Early College High School– Small High School Offering Dual-Enrollment Credits
- Neighborhood: Whitebridge
- Type: Public school
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 160
- Teacher to student ratio: 16 to 1
- Address: 120 White Bridge Rd, Nashville, TN 37209
Early College High School is consistently listed as one of the best Nashville high schools. This school offers students the unique opportunity to earn dual-enrollment credits to put toward an associate’s degree at one of seven public or six private institutions in the Tennessee area.
This is a public, cost-free school, however students are still required to apply. Eighth-grade students with qualifying test scores and a GPA of 85 or higher are encouraged to apply to Early College High School.
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Hume-Fogg Academic High School – Top-Rated High School Specializing In Advanced Placement Classes
- Neighborhood: Downtown Nashville
- Type: Magnet school
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 907
- Teacher to student ratio: 20 to 1
- Address: 700 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
Hume-Fogg Academic High School is the #3 top-rated school in Tennessee. All of the courses at this magnet school (excluding art and P.E.), are taught at the honors or AP level. Nearly all students from Hume-Fogg go on to complete a four-year college degree. Hume-Fogg also offers arts programs such as orchestra, choir, theater, and band. Students are also encouraged to participate in varsity sports such as basketball, lacrosse, tennis, and baseball.
John Overton High School – Diverse School With Many Extracurricular Activities
- Neighborhood: Oak Hill
- Type: Public school
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,949
- Teacher to student ratio: 16 to 1
- Address: 4820 Franklin Rd, Nashville, TN 37220
When searching for Nashville Tennessee High Schools, you can’t overlook John Overton. John Overton High School consists of students from 50 countries that speak over 40 different languages. The school recently underwent a $30 million renovation, giving the school a new look and equipping it with modern technology. Overton offers some of the best extracurricular activities in the state. Students are encouraged to join the school’s football, baseball, and wrestling teams. JOHS is known for its marching band, who has won the Tennessee Governor’s Cup six times and has performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Martin Luther King Jr. School – Nashville Charter School With Blue-Ribbon Award
- Neighborhood: Watkins Park
- Type: Magnet school
- Grades: 7-12
- Enrollment: 1,000
- Teacher to student ratio: 20 to 1
- Address: 613 17th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203
Martin Luther King Jr. School is one of the best Magnet schools in Nashville, TN. It is a 2014 Blue Ribbon school and proudly boasts a 100% graduation rate. The school is ranked #4 in Tennessee and is known for being socially and ethnically diverse. With the exception of physical education, all of the courses offered at the MLK Jr. School are Honors and Advanced Placement.
Best Elementary Schools in Nashville
Elementary school sets your child up for success for the rest of their academic career. Here are a few of the best elementary schools in Nashville, TN.
Glendale Elementary School – One of Tennessee’s Top 10 Elementary Schools
- Neighborhood: Brookhaven Estates
- Type: Magnet school
- Grades: PK-4
- Enrollment: 427
- Teacher to student ratio: 14 to 1
- Address: 800 Thompson Ave, Nashville, TN 37204
Glendale Elementary School is ranked #7 in Tennessee Elementary Schools. Glendale Elementary is Nashville’s first and only Spanish immersion school and encourages students to acquire a multilingual education. 87% of the students at this Nashville elementary school scored at or above the proficient level for math and 82% of the students scored at or above the proficient level for reading.
Glencliff Elementary School – Top-Rated Nashville STEAM Magnet School
- Neighborhood: Glencliff
- Type: Magnet school
- Grades: PK-4
- Enrollment: 518
- Teacher to student ratio: 13 to 1
- Address: 120 Antioch Pike, Nashville, TN 37211
Glencliff Elementary School is one of Nashville’s only STEAM magnet schools. As a magnet school, Glencliff is supported by five pillars:
- Diversity
- Innovative curriculum and professional development
- Academic excellence
- High quality instructional systems
- Family and community partnerships
Glencliff offers a rigorous Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math curriculum. GES encourages students to think critically, express creativity, and collaborate with peers to resolve real-world problems.
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Julia Green Elementary School – #1 Elementary School in Davidson County
- Neighborhood: Green Hills
- Type: Magnet school
- Grades: K-4
- Enrollment: 373
- Teacher to student ratio: 14 to 1
- Address: 3500 Hobbs Rd, Nashville, TN 37215
Julia Green ranks as #5 in Nashville Elementary Schools and #1 in Davidson County Elementary Schools and was one of the only Nashville elementary schools to receive a National Blue Ribbon Award in 2020. JGES prides themselves on providing education that is unique to each child’s individual learning style.
Dan Mills Elementary School – STEM School With Blended Learning Approach
- Neighborhood: Inglewood
- Type: Public school
- Grades: PK-4
- Enrollment: 530
- Teacher to student ratio: 16 to 1
- Address: 4106 Kennedy Ave, Nashville, TN 37216
Dan Mills Elementary is located just outside of East Nashville, which is one of the best neighborhoods in Nashville for families. This Nashville elementary school is a STEM school, meaning there is a large focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Dan Mills practices blended learning, which means there is an equal mix of traditional classroom instruction and digitally delivered course work.
Best Private Schools in Nashville
On the hunt for the best private schools in Nashville, TN? Here are some of the best Nashville private schools for you to consider.
Lipscomb Academy – Award-Winning Nashville Private School
- Grades: PK-12
- Enrollment: 1,225
- Tuition: $15,000 to $21,000 (depending on grade level)
- Phone: (615) 966-1600
- Address: 3901 Granny White Pike, Nashville, TN 37204
Lipscomb is a private, college preparatory Christian school in South Nashville. Lipscomb is one of the best Nashville private schools and was given the Award of Excellence for the 2018-2019 school year. Nearly 70% of the school’s faculty have advanced degrees and there is a 10 to 1 student ratio. The small class sizes ensure that each student gets individualized attention and a chance to participate in class.
Franklin Road Academy – 62-Acre Nashville Private School Offering Personalized Education
- Grades: PK-12
- Enrollment: 1,040
- Tuition: $7,960 to $28,600 (depending on grade level)
- Phone: (615) 832-8845
- Address: 4700 Franklin Pike, Nashville, TN 37220
When searching for Nashville, TN private schools, you can’t look over Franklin Road Academy. Franklin Road Academy has students from 12 different countries and has an average class size of 17, allowing students to get the individualized attention they need. This private school offers many unique clubs for students to join such as a Robotics Club, Forensics Club, and Spelling Bee Club.
University School of Nashville – Prestigious Private Day School Located in Music Row
- Grades: K-12
- Enrollment: 1,081
- Tuition: $24,938 to $30,948 (depending on grade level)
- Phone: (615) 321-8000
- Address: 2000 Edgehill Ave, Nashville, TN 37212
The University School of Nashville is one of the most widely-recognized Nashville, Tennessee private schools. The school encourages students to give back to the community and was given the Award of Excellence every year from 2016 to 2020. USN’s main goal is to provide students with the knowledge they need to meet their college and career goals.
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Davidson Academy – Great Nashville Private School for Parents on a Budget
- Grades: PK-12
- Enrollment: 635
- Tuition: $12,580 to $14,995 (depending on grade level)
- Phone: (615) 860-5300
- Address: 1414 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN 37207
Davidson Academy is a private Christian school located in North Nashville. Davidson Academy offers 43 athletic programs, 29 AP and Honors classes, and as many as 40 summer camp programs. This institution is one of the more affordable private schools in Nashville, with a lower tuition and many financial aid options to take advantage of.
Nashville Schools FAQ
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to schools in Nashville.
Does Nashville Have Good Schools?
Nashville has good schools. With hundreds of schools to choose from, you can easily find something for everyone. No matter what your child’s learning style is, there is a school in Nashville for them.
How Many Schools Are in Nashville?
There are 159 schools within the Metropolitan Nashville Public School System as well as 56 private schools.
What Is the Best High School in Nashville?
Depending on what you are looking for, the best high school in Nashville will differ. Students looking for college credit may want to consider the Early College High School, while students who want to prioritize extracurricular activities may find John Overton High School more enjoyable. If you want to prioritize a magnet school, then Hume-Fogg Academic School and Martin Luther King Jr. School are both great options.
Overall, Nashville has many great schools for you to choose from. If you are moving to Nashville, then you can rest assured that your children will be well taken care of. If you are planning to move within the Nashville metro area, then let our experienced Nashville movers help you. Give Nashville Movers a call today at (615) 434-8272 to discuss your move and receive a free quote!
