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 67% (versus the Tennessee public middle school average of 33%), 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
Grades
Students
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
Grades: 6-12
| 1,212 students
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
Grades: K-12
| 664 students
Rank: #33.
Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School For The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 94% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
221 Todd Ln
Smyrna, TN 37167
(615) 904-6715
Smyrna, TN 37167
(615) 904-6715
Grades: K-8
| 662 students
Rank: #44.
Meigs Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
713 Ramsey St
Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 271-3222
Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 271-3222
Grades: 5-8
| 693 students
Rank: #55.
Brentwood Middle School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
5324 Murray Ln
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 472-4250
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 472-4250
Grades: 6-8
| 1,126 students
Rank: #66.
Thomas Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
515 Tate Avenue
Shelbyville, TN 37160
(931) 684-6818
Shelbyville, TN 37160
(931) 684-6818
Grades: PK-8
| 475 students
Rank: #77.
Martin Luther King Jr School
Magnet School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
613 17th Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 329-8400
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 329-8400
Grades: 7-12
| 1,219 students
Rank: #88.
Maxine Smith Steam Academy
(Math: 60% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
750 E Parkway S
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 416-4536
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 416-4536
Grades: 6-8
| 397 students
Rank: #99.
Chattanooga School For The Liberal Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4850 Jersey Pike
Chattanooga, TN 37416
(423) 855-2614
Chattanooga, TN 37416
(423) 855-2614
Grades: K-12
| 923 students
Rank: #1010.
Grassland Middle School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2390 Hillsboro Rd
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 472-4500
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 472-4500
Grades: 6-8
| 831 students
Rank: #1111.
Hillsboro Elementary/ Middle School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
5412 Pinewood Rd
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 472-4560
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 472-4560
Grades: PK-8
| 501 students
Rank: #1212.
J. P. Freeman Elementary Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5250 Tulane Rd
Memphis, TN 38109
(901) 416-3156
Memphis, TN 38109
(901) 416-3156
Grades: K-8
| 493 students
Rank: #1313.
Jefferson Middle School
(Math: 46% | 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
Grades: 5-8
| 706 students
Rank: #1414.
E.e. Jeter Elementary Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7662 Benjestown Rd
Millington, TN 38053
(901) 416-2955
Millington, TN 38053
(901) 416-2955
Grades: PK-8
| 369 students
Rank: #1515.
Rose Park Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1025 9th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 291-6405
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 291-6405
Grades: 5-8
| 387 students
Rank: #1616.
Big Sandy School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
13305 Highway 69 A
Big Sandy, TN 38221
(731) 593-3221
Big Sandy, TN 38221
(731) 593-3221
Grades: K-12
| 266 students
Rank: #1717.
Monterey High School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
710 East Commercial Ave
Monterey, TN 38574
(931) 839-2970
Monterey, TN 38574
(931) 839-2970
Grades: 7-12
| 544 students
Rank: #1818.
Douglass Elementary Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1650 Ash St
Memphis, TN 38108
(901) 416-5946
Memphis, TN 38108
(901) 416-5946
Grades: PK-8
| 484 students
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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