Tennessee · NCES CCD 2024-25

Best-Resourced Public Schools in Tennessee

Top 50 schools ranked by resource quality score, based on student-teacher ratio, counselor access, gifted programs, and attendance.

73/100
Top score
B
Top grade
63/100
Avg score (top 50)
50
Schools ranked

The ranking in one line

Pelham Elementary in Pelham is Tennessee's top-resourced public school, scoring 73/100 on the NCES resource index.

73/100
top score (grade B)
4
schools at the top grade (B)
63/100
average across the top 50
#SchoolGradeScore
1Pelham ElementaryPelhamB73
2Poplar Grove K-4FranklinB72
3Poplar Grove 5-8FranklinB72
4Lookout Mountain ElementaryLookout MtnB70
5University MiddleMemphisB-69
6Chattanooga Preparatory SchoolChattanoogaB-68
7Freedom IntermediateFranklinB-68
8Central ElementaryBrucetonB-67
9Grassy Fork ElementaryHartfordB-67
10Freedom Middle SchoolFranklinB-66
11Johnson ElementaryFranklinB-66
12Liberty ElementaryFranklinB-65
13Barret's Chapel Elementary/MiddleArlingtonC+64
14Little MilliganButlerC+64
15Sycamore Elementary SchoolColliervilleC+63
16J. P. Freeman Elementary/MiddleMemphisC+63
17E.E. Jeter Elementary/MiddleMillingtonC+63
18Cassville ElementarySpartaC+63
19Medical District High SchoolMemphisC+63
20Collierville Elementary SchoolColliervilleC+62
21Smith County High SchoolCarthageC+62
22Centerview ElementaryNewportC+62
23Yorkville ElementaryYorkvilleC+62
24Tara Oaks Elementary SchoolColliervilleC+61
25Heritage Middle SchoolMaryvilleC+61
26Robert E Ellis MiddleHendersonvilleC+61
27Oakhaven HighMemphisC+61
28New Union ElementaryManchesterC+61
29West Carroll Elementary SchoolTrezevantC+61
30Black Oak ElementaryHornbeakC+61
31Midway Middle SchoolTen MileC+61
32Crosswind Elementary SchoolColliervilleC+60
33Dyersburg Intermediate SchoolDyersburgC+60
34Thompson's Station Middle SchoolThompson's StationC+60
35T. W. Hunter Middle SchoolHendersonvilleC+60
36Soddy ElementarySoddy DaisyC+60
37Ripley ElementaryRipleyC+60
38Grassland ElementaryBrentwoodC+60
39Mckenzie High SchoolMcKenzieC+60
40Central ElementaryJohnson CityC+60
41Lexington Middle SchoolLexingtonC+60
42Renaissance High SchoolFranklinC+60
43Hamilton County Collegiate High at Chattanooga StateChattanoogaC+60
44Smyrna ElementarySmyrnaC59
45Scales ElementaryBrentwoodC59
46Lonsdale ElementaryKnoxvilleC59
47Madison Academic Magnet High SchoolJacksonC59
48Hillsboro Elementary/ Middle SchoolFranklinC59
49Hunters Bend ElementaryFranklinC59
50Kittrell ElementaryReadyvilleC59

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best public schools in Tennessee?

The highest-ranked school in Tennessee is Pelham Elementary in Pelham with a quality score of 73/100 (grade B). Rankings are based on student-teacher ratio, counselor availability, gifted programs, and attendance rates from NCES data.

How are school quality scores calculated?

Quality scores (0-100) are computed from NCES data across 4 metrics: student-teacher ratio (lower is better, national avg ~16:1), counselor availability (ASCA recommends 250:1), gifted program availability, and chronic absenteeism rate (lower is better). This measures school resources, not test scores.

Methodology

Quality scores (0-100) are computed from NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024-25 metrics: student-teacher ratio, school counselor availability, gifted program access, and chronic absenteeism rates. Schools must have at least 50 students and data for one or more metrics. This measures resource quality, not test scores. Higher scores indicate smaller class sizes, better counselor access, and lower absenteeism.