2024 Best Middle Schools in Tennessee

Everything You Need to Know About Navigating Middle Schools In Tennessee

Middle school can be a very informative time for youth as they transition through adolescence. Spread across various cities like Memphis and Nashville, the state of Tennessee has a substantial amount of middle schools to choose from, the current total is 1048. This is about 1/4 more than the average state (+28% to be exact), so options may appear plentiful. However, when adjusted for population, Tennessee has almost 25% fewer middle schools per capita, so not quite as far from the average. Although not perfect, middle schools on average in the state score a B– which matches the national average. The middle schools in Tennessee have an average enrollment of 412 students, with the majority of schools falling within the range of 400-500 students. This number is just above the national average by approximately 1%, suggesting that Tennessee may offer slightly larger classes than other states. Interestingly, nearly half of all middle schools in Tennessee (50%) have an enrollment above the national average, meaning that active parents have access to approximately 524 above-average options. Furthermore, Tennessee boasts a student-to-teacher ratio of 14 to 1, which is exactly equal to the average class size in most states. This could mean that students are still getting individualized attention from teachers, contributing to positive academic outcomes.

Stats about Tennessee public middle schools

Tennessee's public middle schools are a force to be reckoned with, representing the vast majority of the state's educational landscape. With more than 660 options available to families, there's a wide range of choices when it comes to selecting the right school. Interestingly, the average public middle school in Tennessee is larger than the national average, with about 506 students, which is around 24% more than the typical American middle school. Despite this difference in size, Tennessee's public middle schools still perform in line with the national average, receiving an overall grade of B-.

Traditional Public Middle Schools

The largest type of public school in the state (and in the nation) traditional public schools, in other words those that are not charter, or magnet, or otherwise specialized. There are several hundred of those (581 to be exact), and they also score better than the national average in the state of Tennessee, hailing a grade of a B– on average. Traditional schools make up about 88% of all public schools. Among those 580+ schools, about 61% are rated above the national average. Although metrics like this shouldn't be the only input into a family's decision, it can be helpful to know that this 61% equates to about 352 different middle schools that are scored above the national average in the state, so there's still plenty of great options. It's also worth noting that the typical traditional public school is likewise a bit larger than most middle schools, those in Tennessee are about 25% larger for example.

What is the Best Traditional Public Middle School in Tennessee

Shifting gears into which school is considered the best traditional public middle school in Tennessee, the award goes to Thompson's Station Middle School located near Nashville. The school has about 584 students and we estimate about 36 teachers given its slightly above-average 16:1 student teacher ratio which is 14% higher than what you'd find at most traditional public schools across America (+14%). Parents often voice positive reviews about this small class size which may contribute to its A grade and overall academic success.

A Closer Look at Tennessee's Charter School Landscape

Tennessee has made strides in public education over the years, offering a range of school options for families to choose from. Among these options are charter schools, of which there are 56 available statewide. While this number may seem low compared to other states, it's important to note that quantity doesn't necessarily equate to quality. In fact 21% of its options exceed the national average (12), so there's still plenty of potentially great picks. However it's worth pointing out that on average charters don’t perform as well as traditional or magnet schooling with an overall C grade compared to a B– nationally indicating some room for improvement is needed among these programs if they wish to reach parity with their peers across America Perhaps their weaker performance can be attributed to their slightly smaller enrollment size (406) -1%. Despite these challenges charter schools remain a viable option for families who seek a specialized education for their children.

What is the best charter middle school in Tennessee?

In terms of which charter school option wins out amongst its peers Valor Flagship Academy located in Nashville takes home first prize with an A rating overall With class sizes still somewhat larger than other facilities (1197 students) their 17:1 student teacher ratio does manage +21% higher than what you'd find at most traditional public schools across America, indicating that class sizes can suffer here at times - it's important for parents to inquire as to why this is, as this ratio can certainly impact students' learning curves.

An Overview of the Finest Magnet Middle Schools in Tennessee

If you are seeking a top-notch middle school for your child in Tennessee, you may be considering a magnet school. Of the available options, Central Magnet School emerges as the most prominent choice. Located in Murfreesboro, this A+ school has a student population of 1237, which is well above the state average.

The student-teacher ratio of 17:1 is quite a bit larger than the national average (21% higher), which can mean it's more of a challenge for students to receive individualized attention from their instructors. The school also promotes enrichment activities such as art, music, and robotics to broaden students' learning experiences.

Essential facts about private schools in Tennessee

Private schools are also held in high regard throughout the state of Tennessee. In total there are 336 options statewide and on average these institutions achieve a B+ grade rating. Additionally, their average student body size (234 students) falls 43% below the national average per school size. This could be an attractive feature for those who prefer smaller class sizes.

Examining Religious Schools in Tennessee

Religious schools have a strong presence in Tennessee's educational landscape, representing 81% of all private institutions in the state. There are 271 religious schools options available in total (the 28th most per capita), and out of these options 222 are Christian-affiliated. This means that Christian-affiliated schools make up around 82% of all religious schools in Tennessee, making them a popular choice for parents who prefer a faith-based education for their children.

When it comes to sizes, religious schools are slightly larger than their non-religious counterparts. With an average of 236 students per school (vs. 225 for non-religious schools), religious schools typically have more students than non-religious schools. However, this difference is often attributed to the increased availability of activities and amenities offered by religious schools compared to non-religious ones. Additionally, religious schools tend to have one of the lowest student-teacher ratios in the state with an average of 23:1 – 5% higher than that of non-religious schools – making them a preferred option for those seeking personalized instruction for their children.

Top Religious Middle School in Tennessee

When it comes to religious middle schools in Tennessee, Pleasant View School stands out from its peers as the highest-rated religious school in the state with an A+ rating. The school boasts a small student population of only 383 students, making it much smaller than other religiously-affiliated institutions throughout the state and ensuring that each student receives individualized attention and guidance from their teachers and staff. Furthermore, Pleasant View School has one of the best student teacher ratios with seven students per instructor on average which is around 50% lower than that of other American middle schools.

A snapshot on private non-religious middle schools in Tennessee

Private non-religious middle schools also exist throughout Tennessee with 65 such options available statewide representing 6% of all private institutions (the 44th highest number per capita). On average these middle schools yield an impressive A grade rating and more than 14% surpass the national average score for this category. Additionally, these schools have an average student body size considerably lower than most other states at 225 compared to 234 elsewhere and their student teacher ratio is slightly lower at 34:1 compared to 33:1 elsewhere making them potentially desirable options among parents looking for smaller class sizes and more focused instruction for their children.

Top Private Non-Religious Middle School in Tennessee

The best performing private non-religious middle school can be found at University School of Nashville which boasts a student population of 1081 and a remarkable 9:1 student teacher ratio – both significantly better than most other middle school options throughout Tennessee and indeed the rest of America where averages stand at 234 students per school and 18:1 student teacher ratios on average respectively. The school achieved an A+ grade rating making it particularly distinguished among its peers and reflecting its commitment to academic excellence as well as providing individualized attention to each pupil through its highly competitive faculty hiring process leading to exceptional results even compared to other outstanding private non-religious middle schools across all states nationwide.