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Top Public High Schools in Tennessee
In the words of filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron, “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” High school, therefore, serves as a significant preparatory phase for students to explore their interests, engage in extracurricular activities, exercise academic autonomy, and gear up for higher education or the workforce. Public education plays a pivotal role in this journey, with a substantial number of students enrolled in public pre-K-12 schools in fall 2021, as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics. Among these students, a considerable portion is in high school, spread across public secondary schools nationwide.
For numerous families, securing admission to the best public high schools is a top priority, often prompting relocations to access superior school districts. Amid the myriad of options available, certain schools shine brightly due to their exceptional academic performance, outstanding track records, and the promising futures they pave for their students.
A compilation of the 30 finest public high schools in Tennessee based on 2023 rankings from Niche reveals institutions that excel across various criteria. Niche’s ranking methodology incorporates seven weighted factors, with academics holding significant weightage alongside aspects like culture and diversity, sports, extracurricular activities, resources, and feedback from parents, teachers, and students. While some listings include school districts, others specify the city where the school is located.
Top 30 Public High Schools in Tennessee:
#30. McKenzie High School
- Location: McKenzie Special School District, TN
- Enrollment: 341 students (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche Grade: A-
#29. Dyersburg High School
- Location: Dyersburg City School District, TN
- Enrollment: 702 students (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche Grade: A-
#28. Renaissance High School
- Location: Williamson County Schools, TN
- Enrollment: 165 students (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche Grade: A-
#27. University School
- Location: Washington County School District, TN
- Enrollment: 604 students (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche Grade: A-
#26. Madison Academic Magnet High School
- Location: Madison County School District, TN
- Enrollment: 453 students (17:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche Grade: A-
#25. Centennial High School
- Location: Williamson County Schools, TN
- Enrollment: 1,569 students (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche Grade: A-
#24. Alcoa High School
- Location: Alcoa City Schools, TN
- Enrollment: 690 students (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche Grade: A-
#23. Oak Ridge High School
- Location: Oak Ridge School District, TN
- Enrollment: 1,517 students (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche Grade: A-
#22. Independence High School
- Location: Williamson County Schools, TN
- Enrollment: 2,057 students (19:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche Grade: A-
#21. Maryville High School
- Location: Maryville City Schools, TN
- Enrollment: 1,244 students (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche Grade: A-
Continue to explore the remaining top high schools in Tennessee to discover the educational excellence and opportunities they offer to students seeking a solid foundation for their future endeavors.