2023 Best Public High Schools in Tennessee

• Metro Nashville Public Schools, TN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  559 reviews

Alum: Hume-Fogg is very academically focused, but there is also time for students to explore their interests and have fun. All academic classes at Hume-Fogg are honors or AP classes, but it is very manageable and enjoyable once you're used to it. For the fun aspect, there is a Titanball tournament hosted every year during school hours which students can freely attend, there are many club, during and after school, and there are many sports teams that students can join too. This is great for getting to know your classmates and forming bonds with one another. The Arts Department in Hume-Fogg is wonderful! The bands have received top marks at CPA, the chorus has received top marks in their assessments, and the Theatre Arts Department puts on wonderful plays that all the students have had the chance to enjoy. As a band student myself, I truly enjoyed my time playing an instrument and music that other's found too difficult for high schoolers. For academics, the teachers make everything rewarding.... Read 559 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 907

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Williamson County Schools, TN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  502 reviews

Senior: Ravenwood High School is amazing because it offers a diverse range of academic and extracurricular opportunities for students. The school has a strong and dedicated faculty, who support and challenge students to reach their full potential. Additionally, the school offers a wide range of AP classes, which allow students to further their knowledge and skills in a variety of subjects. Furthermore, the school has a wide range of extracurricular activities such as sports, music, and clubs, which allows students to pursue their passions and interests. The school also values diversity and inclusivity and encourages students to be accepting and respectful of others. All these factors make Ravenwood High School an excellent educational institution that provides students with the resources they need to succeed and grow.... Read 502 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,783

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Rutherford County Schools, TN•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  501 reviews

Senior: Central Magnet school is consistently nationally ranked in the top 10 of public high schools. We are the number one school in Tennessee and our students reflect that. From being active in hundreds of local service projects, to speaking at board meetings regarding county policy on mask mandates, our students are well rounded and shown to be cream of the crop year after year. The teachers and staff trust the students immensely, whether its not having to ask to go to the bathroom (just trusting you will go and come back) or sending students on errands throughout the school. We have a club for just about any interest from: robotics, or movie circle , to our aviation club, which has a close relationship with MTSU and their flight school. Central has only honors and above classes: advanced honors, AP, and duel enrollment. With such a great education comes work; lots of work. All of the work, I believe, has prepared me for college, and improved my work ethic. Central is a fantastic school!... Read 501 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,237

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Metro Nashville Public Schools, TN•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  495 reviews

Senior: I love the environment that MLK creates for it's students. MLK works hard to challenge their students in academics and life. It expands their students knowledge and opportunities to different sciences, mathematics, and engineering options. MLK also creates a place for their students to feel safe to express themselves and grow their understanding of different cultures and ways of life. Due to the large diversity in MLK, the interaction among the students allows them to witness new ways of thinking and opinions. This opens the students up to have an open mind when it comes to different situations. MLK has been a wonderful place to learn, grow, challenge, and experience life. MLK has allowed me to expand my way of thinking and way of interacting with others. This will allow me to be prepared for future interactions with others from different backgrounds than mine. MLK is preparing their students, not just for colleges or careers, but for life.... Read 495 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,275

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Sumner County Schools, TN•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  189 reviews

Alum: Merrol Hyde really is what you make it. Some people hate it, some people love it. I personally was very involved in the school and did multiple clubs, sports, and leadership and I LOVED my time there. The faculty is amazing and truly wants each student to do well and succeed. It definitely is a competitive environment in terms of the student body- lots of comparing/judging peers based on grades and test scores; I sometimes felt judged by my peers about my intellectual ability. As for the social environment, I personally love it but I can see where it may be hard for others to adapt or enjoy it. Everyone is very close and it is a tight knit community since it is such a small K-12 school, which is GREAT but can make it socially difficult for students arriving pretty much any time after freshman year. Overall, it is a great environment for students with a passion for education with a socially inclusive environnement(more so than a large public school at least).... Read 189 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 670

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Williamson County Schools, TN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  352 reviews

Alum: Great school! Enjoyed my experience at Brentwood High School because of the many choices of classes of all levels for academics. I had teachers that tried to build relationships with the students and encourage them in different pursuits in the school's community. I appreciated having different leadership opportunities through academics, clubs, and athletics that were student-centered. I felt like the school had a broad assortment of athletics so any student who wanted to participate could find a place on one of the teams. I particularly enjoyed the sports where because you built relationships with the same coaches and students year after year. The ways you could serve the community through service clubs have been useful life-long lessons as to how your help neighborhood, city, and in other relationships. The strong band, choral, and theatre programs were terrific experiences on how to appreciate the arts and what is expected during a stage performance.... Read 352 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,739

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Knox County Schools, TN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  485 reviews

Freshman: Farragut is an amazing school. The opportunities available are amazing for a public school, however, a newly implemented program has definitely taken it down a notch. The school developed an Academy system where they force Freshman students to choose a pathway to go to, in other words, they are making 9th graders choose on what they want to do for the rest of their life. This has caused a lot of distress among students, especially considering that they only allow one to change pathways once. The school has also unfortunately implemented needless, and useless yet mandatory classes in addition to the normal lifetime wellness and PE classes that bring down students' GPAs. They also restricted freshmen from doubling up in any math or science classes, which is an absolute shame. Farragut has the makings of a great school and teaches many gifted children, however, poor management and administration have stunted the growth of the gifted students at Farragut.... Read 485 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,005

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Williamson County Schools, TN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  456 reviews

Senior: My freshman year was a hard year for me -- a transitional time period. However, the experience I had at Franklin sophomore and as a senior has been excellent! My sophomore teachers were all very aware and respectful that we had lives outside of school, but still expected us to learn the material. They were kind, and I learned a lot from them. Franklin offers a vast display of classes and has a beautiful learning environment. Despite some difficult teachers and the occasional unruly classmates, I have truly enjoyed and learned a lot from Franklin High School.... Read 456 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,759

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Shelby County Schools, TN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  575 reviews

Freshman: I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at White Station. It’s really a friendly environment once you settle in. There is an issue with fighting depending on who you associate with but no one I know personally has been in a fight nor have I. There’s many Ap classes offered including African American studies which is only offered at around 60 schools. There’s also a bunchhh of extracurriculars and clubs and you can actually apply to start one yourself which is pretty cool. Two of my friends started at economics and finance club and the process wasn’t to hard. They offer dual enrollment which is amazing. Again with the extracurriculars you can do pretty much any sport they even have laccrosse and rugby. All of the sports teams are pretty good….other than the football team…..overall great experience! Super diverse too there’s like any race and religion you can think of.... Read 575 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,983

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Madison County School District, TN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  222 reviews

Junior: I absolutely adore my high school! Many people don’t enjoy the heavy work load, but if you come prepared to work, it’s really not that bad. Our cafeteria food, just like every other public school in the area, is disgusting. Our building is old, so it makes sense for us to keep needing to replace the panels in the roof. We do have a hallway that always seems to flood when it rains. We are getting a new building soon, though! If you want to receive the best public education in the Madison County area, I recommend you check out Madison Academic.... Read 222 reviews

• grade A

• Students 493

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Hamilton County School District, TN•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  268 reviews

Alum: CCA was a great environment for those serious about their arts. They truly do put a lot into students' art educations. However, socially, it was a bit of a nightmare. Their was a huge bullying problem, covered up by the "we're a home for the unique and different" mindset - they didn't think those same "unique" kids were capable of bullying other kids, so there was no system of accountability or prevention. If your child is serious about their art, then by all means, however definitely don't force them to be there. They will have just as good or better academic experiences at several of the public schools without the stress of having art classes and certain agendas shoved down their throats. There is nothin worse than having to participate in rigorous art classes when you're burnt out - trust me.... Read 268 reviews

• grade A

• Students 644

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Knox County Schools, TN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  98 reviews

Parent: L&N STEM Academy is a unique experience academically, socially, and with the extra-curricular activities that are offered as compared to other Knox County schools. The campus is very unique as it is in a beautiful historic building and in downtown Knoxville. There are some amazing teachers, admin, and staff at this school. We have had both ups and downs with the school (both in dealing with administration and with teachers), but overall have been very pleased with the education and experiences that our children have had at L&N. The extra-curricular activities include a rowing team, Ultimate frisbee, bowling, rock climbing and more traditional sports such as tennis, swimming, and cross country. There are also academic clubs/activities such as NHS, NAHS, Quiz Bowl, Science Olympiad, and Model UN. Wouldn't have sent my kids any where else.... Read 98 reviews

• grade A

• Students 583

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Williamson County Schools, TN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  473 reviews

Senior: As I finish my senior year at Centennial High School, I have begun to realize just how much I have changed since my first day of high school. Rigorous courses have allowed me to grow in and out of the classroom, teaching me perseverance and the value of hard work. The ability to choose unique courses designed to allow me to explore careers I'm interested in has helped me to find the path that I will take after high school. The opportunity to take these classes has allowed me to meet people who have become close friends that I intend to keep for decades down the road. Pep rallies and football games were so incredibly fun and the school spirit at Centennial is strong! There are many sports teams and clubs that allow students to pursue their passions with people who can help them grow. Centennial is an amazing school that has numerous paths for all students, no matter who they are or where they come from.... Read 473 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,612

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Metro Nashville Public Schools, TN•

• 5-11

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  13 reviews

Senior: In preparation for attending college, when I was in fifth grade, I enrolled in Valor Collegiate Academy. Valor is a public charter school in Nashville, Tennessee that prides itself on its social-emotional learning curriculum and on instilling an appreciation for diversity in its students. Not only has my time at Valor taught me a lot about other people and their cultures, but I’ve also had the opportunity to learn about myself and what I value. Valor has taught me to celebrate differences, rather than disregard them, and I am forever grateful for that.... Read 13 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,197

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Collierville Schools, TN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  225 reviews

Senior: I love Collierville High School. The teachers are great and will really invest their time in you if you put in the work. Our fine arts are fantastic with our band, orchestra, and choir winning many competitions. Our sports teams are ok, but they are climbing back up to the top!(Our basketball team went to the state championship this year) Nevertheless, our school is loaded with spirit, with kids participating during homecoming week and other school spirit weeks. Our facilities are ok (referring to the ever problematic bathrooms). However, despite the problems, Collierville High is still a great school and will definitely get you ready for college!... Read 225 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,885

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Kingsport City Schools, TN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  362 reviews

Alum: I loved the environment and the opportunities available. This school has something for everybody. There are classes to get ahead of college that way when you go into college some students will be considered sophomores before ever stepping foot on a campus!... Read 362 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,379

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Williamson County Schools, TN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  353 reviews

Senior: Indy is a very welcoming and supportive environment. It’s growing so fast each year, which makes it seem overwhelmingly large at times, but the staff and students really make you feel like you’re part of one big family. The teachers and administrators at Indy are phenomenal. I am proud to consider each one my role model and my friend. A student at Independence High School is never afraid to share their opinion or open up to others, because everyone’s voice is heard. My favorite parts of my four years were not the studying and the homework, but the football games, spirit weeks, homecoming events, and the time I spent goofing around with my friends and laughing with my teachers in class. I am proud to be an Indy Eagle!... Read 353 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,903

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Germantown Municipal School District, TN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  370 reviews

Senior: Houston is one of the hardest academic schools in the area, beating out both public and private schools nearby. They prepare students for college and their future careers. They also bring in professionals in trades to offer information to students interested in trade and technical schools. It is a warming environment with lots of diversity!... Read 370 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,013

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Williamson County Schools, TN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.34 out of 5  68 reviews

Senior: My experience at Nolensville High School was amazing. From the talented and dedicated teachers to the plethora of extracurricular activities, Nolensville provides students with the tools to succeed. The AP teachers all tailor their classes to help prepare students for their exams. This has lead to passing rates well above the national average. Nolensville has the largest student section in the county and has led to many memorable nights. Overall, Nolensville is an excellent place for students to grow, learn, and lay the foundation for their future.... Read 68 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,297

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Johnson City Schools, TN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  355 reviews

Alum: Science hill high school was a great place to go to school with a large diversity of classes. Everyone their has an opportunity to look into many different fields for the future including construction, welding, electrical, health science, and even criminal justice. We are given the choice to take college classes in the main courses such as math, reading and science, which has really set us up for what the next four years will look like in college. The staff at Science Hill is incredible and are always willing to help the students in any way they need.... Read 355 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,251

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Hamilton County School District, TN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  34 reviews

Junior: Fantastic experience! The teachers are so accepting, and it is one of the most progressive schools. There is more interaction with project based learning, and involves colleges along with your learning experience. These classes are extremely difficult, but they are worth every challenge.... Read 34 reviews

• grade A

• Students 283

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Greeneville City Schools, TN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  136 reviews

Junior: Greeneville High School overall has amazing teachers and tons of accommodations! Going to Greeneville High School has been one of the best experiences of my life! It’s the perfect number of students so you still have a personal relationship with you teachers, but you don’t feel completely by yourself either!... Read 136 reviews

• grade A

• Students 914

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Oak Ridge School District, TN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  211 reviews

Freshman: The maker space in our Oak Ridge High School Library is the best place to express your creativity side, or nerdy side while enjoying your time with friendly peers and teachers, but the librarian is the nicest librarian ever. I highly recommend not just the Maker Space , but the library also owns so many amazing genres, topics, and diverse book collection. I love this school so much, it is by far the best school I have gone to, and I hope that it keeps it's excellent work up!... Read 211 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,526

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Williamson County Schools, TN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  295 reviews

Senior: Patriots are the best! The enthusiastic student body is always excited and ready to learn and encouraged by the teachers and staff in activities in and out of the classroom. Students here are encouraged to push the boundaries of their knowledge and find new ways to think outside the box. The smaller class sizes give students the opportunity to ask questions and learn material at a controlled pace. In the past year our school opened up a new building packed full of classrooms suited for every subject level. The building has a great new layout and the large windows and wide hallways give students a feeling of freedom throughout the day. I also love how theirs always something to do at Page, whether it one of the many extra curricular, sports, dances, or spirit weeks students always have something to look forward to. We are kept engaged throughout the year in academics as well thanks to the wide variety of courses offered from standard to AP each offering its own set of challenges.... Read 295 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,137

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Rutherford County Schools, TN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  577 reviews

Alum: I would say that my years being a part of the blackman community was an amazing experience. The school really encouraged us as young, developing adults to achieve greatness. I was able to excel in being more confident with their JROTC program and set myself up as a future leader. It had the resources to talk to recruiters for our military and I ended up enlisting in the Army. The amount of achievements I earned as a student their wouldn’t be possible without the support from the faculty and staff who encouraged me to pursue my passion. Like all organizations, there are some areas where Blackman does fall short. However, I’d argue that for the majority of the time it ensures the entire schools has a sense of pride to be a student at Blackman High school. I can proudly say I am an alumni at Blackman High School.... Read 577 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,950

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1