For the 2025 school year, there are 18 blue ribbon public middle schools serving 11,952 students in Tennessee.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top ranked blue ribbon public middle schools in Tennessee are Central Magnet School, Merrol Hyde Magnet School and Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School For The Arts. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Tennessee blue ribbon public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 70% (versus the Tennessee public middle school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 70% (versus the 34% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Tennessee public middle school average of 39% (majority Black).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Middle Schools in Tennessee (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Central Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 98% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
701 East Main St
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 904-6789
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 904-6789
Gr: 6-12 | 1,212 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #22.
Merrol Hyde Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 97% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
128 Township Dr
Hendersonville, TN 37075
(615) 264-6543
Hendersonville, TN 37075
(615) 264-6543
Gr: K-12 | 664 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #33.
Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School For The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 98% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
221 Todd Ln
Smyrna, TN 37167
(615) 904-6715
Smyrna, TN 37167
(615) 904-6715
Gr: K-8 | 662 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #44.
Meigs Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
713 Ramsey St
Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 271-3222
Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 271-3222
Gr: 5-8 | 693 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #55.
Martin Luther King Jr School
Magnet School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
613 17th Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 329-8400
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 329-8400
Gr: 7-12 | 1,219 student Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #66.
Brentwood Middle School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5324 Murray Ln
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 472-4250
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 472-4250
Gr: 6-8 | 1,126 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #77.
Thomas Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
515 Tate Avenue
Shelbyville, TN 37160
(931) 684-6818
Shelbyville, TN 37160
(931) 684-6818
Gr: PK-8 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #88.
Maxine Smith Steam Academy
(Math: 72% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
750 E Parkway S
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 416-4536
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 416-4536
Gr: 6-8 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #99.
Grassland Middle School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2390 Hillsboro Rd
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 472-4500
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 472-4500
Gr: 6-8 | 831 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1010.
Chattanooga School For The Liberal Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4850 Jersey Pike
Chattanooga, TN 37416
(423) 855-2614
Chattanooga, TN 37416
(423) 855-2614
Gr: K-12 | 923 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1111.
Hillsboro Elementary/ Middle School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
5412 Pinewood Rd
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 472-4560
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 472-4560
Gr: PK-8 | 501 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1212.
J. P. Freeman Elementary Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5250 Tulane Rd
Memphis, TN 38109
(901) 416-3156
Memphis, TN 38109
(901) 416-3156
Gr: K-8 | 493 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: #1313.
Jefferson Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
200 Fairbanks Rd
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
(865) 425-9301
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
(865) 425-9301
Gr: 5-8 | 706 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1414.
Rose Park Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1025 9th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 291-6405
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 291-6405
Gr: 5-8 | 387 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1515.
E.e. Jeter Elementary Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
7662 Benjestown Rd
Millington, TN 38053
(901) 416-2955
Millington, TN 38053
(901) 416-2955
Gr: PK-8 | 369 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1616.
Big Sandy School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
13305 Highway 69 A
Big Sandy, TN 38221
(731) 593-3221
Big Sandy, TN 38221
(731) 593-3221
Gr: K-12 | 266 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #1717.
Monterey High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
710 East Commercial Ave
Monterey, TN 38574
(931) 839-2970
Monterey, TN 38574
(931) 839-2970
Gr: 7-12 | 544 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1818.
Douglass Elementary Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 4% | Reading: 5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1650 Ash St
Memphis, TN 38108
(901) 416-5946
Memphis, TN 38108
(901) 416-5946
Gr: PK-8 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked blue ribbon public middle schools in Tennessee?
The top ranked blue ribbon public middle schools in Tennessee include Central Magnet School, Merrol Hyde Magnet School and Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School For The Arts.
How many blue ribbon public middle schools are located in Tennessee?
18 blue ribbon public middle schools are located in Tennessee.
What is the racial composition of students in Tennessee?
Tennessee blue ribbon public middle schools minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Tennessee public middle schools average of 39% (majority Black).
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