2023 Best Public Middle Schools in Tennessee

• 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

• 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•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Middle School Student: Great school, most of the teachers are great, academics are great. Lots of resources and technology provided for students. Free breakfast and lunch, however not very good.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 584

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Williamson County Schools, TN•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.25 out of 5  4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,214

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Maryville City Schools, TN•

• 4-7

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: We are so blessed that our kids have been able to attend Coulter Grove Intermediate School. The teachers here go above and beyond to connect with the students. While they challenge the kids academically, the go beyond academics to connect with them in ways that they carry with them. My youngest is currently attending Coulter Grove and the staff here is the best we have ever known!... Read 3 reviews

• grade A

• Students 833

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Williamson County Schools, TN•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  2 reviews

Middle School Student: It is a very good school for a public school. Well funding and environment is good. Very good teachers and academics!... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 970

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Germantown Municipal School District, TN•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4.75 out of 5  4 reviews

Parent: The teachers are fantastic, almost all the students are courteous and kind, and expectations are high. Excellent School.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,219

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Lakeland School System, TN•

• 5-9

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  4 reviews

Middle School Student: Unlike many public schools LMPS is a Well-rounded place for children of all walks of life! The academics are wonderful! I cannot say enough nice things about the administration and staff! Looking forward to Lakeland High School being built so my child can stay with his classmates and continue in such a warm, loving, positive environment!... Read 4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,099

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Williamson County Schools, TN•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  2 reviews

High School Senior: The Faculty and Staff are always ready to help... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 613

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Franklin Special School District, TN•

• 5-6

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Middle School Student: It is good the teachers are very nice the school is controlled and overall it is a very good learning place... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 522

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Maryville City Schools, TN•

• 4-7

• grade A

• Students 847

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Williamson County Schools, TN•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  4 reviews

Parent: The growth minded teachers and staff have been amazing to work with. Our son is in his second year at this school , and as our oldest child, I am typically behind on what is going on. The school makes a great effort to communicate well and stay ahead of any students that may not learn as fast, or are missing assignments. The clubs and sports are abundant and the band is top notch. Our son comes home excited, and looks forward to learning with the variety of teachers he gets to interact with.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 954

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Williamson County Schools, TN•

• 6-8

• grade A

• Students 748

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Williamson County Schools, TN•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 2.5 out of 5  10 reviews

Middle School Student: I'm a student here in seventh grade. The majority of the teachers here are very supportive of the students. They do not encourage bad behavior and failure to complete work you have been assigned. Many students complain about the teachers and the home work and parents take this to the extreme emailing administration to fire them. Any kids being bullied is either because they say that they are. In actuality they are just being annoying, disrespectful, or disruptive to other students and don't take being told that they are very well. They push you to advance quickly and have a better future. The only thing I have to add is that the administration do their job well, but always seem quite cold to parents. Parental Involvement is dependent on how much the parents care not the teachers.... Read 10 reviews

• grade A

• Students 784

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Germantown Municipal School District, TN•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Middle School Student: We have very caring teachers here at HMS. Ever since the administration changed a year ago, the school has became more fun and loving. I love going to school here. The building is clean and wonderful.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A

• Students 928

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• 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

• Williamson County Schools, TN•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 2.5 out of 5  4 reviews

Senior: Pretty typical school, went for middle school a few years ago. Diversity is lacking, but the academics are great and the teachers are hard working.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,115

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Williamson County Schools, TN•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  8 reviews

Alum: My teachers from 6th grade were all new and didn't work well with kids that's why I am rating very good. My teachers from 7th and 8th grade helped mold me into who I am today and helped me gain a deep-rooted love for learning.... Read 8 reviews

• grade A

• Students 858

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Johnson City Schools, TN•

• 5-6

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Indian Trail offers so much for our kids. From intramurals to advanced classes, our kids love going to school and feel challenged.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,150

• 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

• Johnson City Schools, TN•

• 7-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Alum: Everyone was very friendly and it was a secure learning environment. There were plenty of learning opportunities but I would’ve liked more freedom with the classes I could have chosen.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 1,151

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Bartlett City Schools, TN•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 1 out of 5  1 review

• grade A

• Students 608

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Franklin Special School District, TN•

• 5-8

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: We recently moved to Franklin, TN and were a little concerned about our children starting a new school. Our concerns were totally unnecessary. All of our children have loved Poplar Grove from day one. The staff and teachers are welcoming and provide excellent instruction. The students have gone out of their way to include my children in activities and have made our children feel at home. Parents have also reached out to help our family connect with other families. We are pleased to have our children be a part of such wonderful school.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 338

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Williamson County Schools, TN•

• K-8

• grade A

• Students 534

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Arlington Community Schools, TN•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  3 reviews

Middle School Student: I have been a student in Arlington Schools for 9 years and with my experience AMS and really all Arlington schools provides great education for all students regardless of learning differences. As a gifted student I have had many great experiences and I have friend who do not have learning differences and they agree that the teachers give us a great education. The teachers really care about you and know how to handle a classroom responsibly and respectfully. You can choose from 5 day band, 5day orchestra, 5 day chorus, 3 day PE 2 day art or 3 day art 2 day PE. There are also many after school activities. If you would like to learn more I suggest looking on the school website.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A

• Students 961

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1