Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) serves approximately 81,000 students across 160 schools in Davidson County, making it the 49th largest district in the country. It is a large urban district with the full range of strengths and weaknesses that characterize large urban districts: excellent magnet programs that rival any school in the state, average-to-struggling neighborhood schools, significant resource disparities by neighborhood, and a demographic profile that includes a majority of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Recent Improvement Story
The headline achievement for MNPS in recent years is real. For the fourth consecutive year in 2025, the district earned a Level 5 TVAAS Growth rating, the highest possible score on Tennessee’s statewide student academic growth measure. This is the first time in district history MNPS sustained Level 5 growth for four consecutive years, and MNPS is ranked in the top 10 large urban districts nationally for both math and reading growth, the only district to achieve this for two consecutive years.
The 2025 spring TCAP results showed record-high scores in English Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies since current benchmarks were established in 2016-17.
These growth numbers matter. They measure how much individual students improve year over year compared to state peers, regardless of absolute proficiency levels. For a district where 19% of students are proficient in math and 27% in reading per state tests (figures that reflect the starting points, not just the trajectory), growth metrics tell a more complete story.
The Report Card Picture
The Tennessee Department of Education’s 2024-25 A-F school letter grades show MNPS’s spread clearly:
- A: 14 schools (including Crieve Hall Elementary, Eakin Elementary, Hume-Fogg High, Early College High, KIPP Nashville College Prep, KIPP Nashville Collegiate High, Martin Luther King Jr. High)
- B: 23 schools
- C: 57 schools (the largest single group)
- D: 39 schools
- F: 10 schools (including Antioch Middle, Cane Ridge High, Whites Creek High)
This is not an unusual distribution for a large urban district. The A schools are excellent. The F schools represent concentrated poverty, high teacher turnover, and persistent gaps in support. Most of the district falls in the C category, which is functional but not distinguishing.
The Magnet School System
Nashville’s magnet schools are the strongest argument for MNPS as a parent destination. The district offers magnet programs with distinct themes across multiple sites: arts, sciences, languages, International Baccalaureate, gifted education, health sciences, engineering. Admission is competitive or by lottery depending on the program.
The standout names: Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet (consistently one of the top public high schools in the state), Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet, STEM Prep Academy, and the IB programs at multiple sites.
The challenge with magnets is access and information. Parents who know how to navigate the application system can secure strong placements. Parents who do not know the options, cannot navigate the process, or apply too late get neighborhood school assignments that vary dramatically by zip code.
How It Compares
The best public schools in the Nashville area are in Williamson County, not Davidson County. Franklin, Brentwood, and other Williamson County communities consistently rank higher in absolute achievement scores. Parents who prioritize school quality above all else and are buying rather than renting frequently land in Williamson County for this reason.
Within Davidson County, the right magnet school is competitive with most private schools on academic preparation. The wrong neighborhood assignment can mean a school that is struggling.
Teachers in MNPS earn the highest salaries in Tennessee, which the district and mayor have pointed to as a key retention and recruitment tool.
Practical Advice
Families moving to Nashville who plan to use public schools should research the MNPS choice and magnet application process before choosing a neighborhood. The application windows open in fall for the following academic year. Missing the window means waiting another year or taking a neighborhood assignment.
The MNPS website includes school report cards, school profiles, and the magnet application process. The school assignment by address tool will show what your default neighborhood school is; it is worth running before signing a lease.
Sources:
- MNPS About page: mnps.org/about
- MNPS August 2025 Level 5 TVAAS Growth announcement: mnps.org
- Nashville Banner – Tennessee Department of Education MNPS Grades (December 2025): nashvillebanner.com
- Niche – Metro Nashville Public Schools: niche.com