Davidson County Schools & Education
Davidson County, Tennessee
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
28/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
78.1%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
78.1%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 93.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,324
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,215
School Score
28/100
Higher = better
State avg 47/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#88
of 95 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Davidson County
School Verdict
Davidson County faces educational challenges with a school score of 28/100 and a graduation rate of 78.1%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $7,324 per pupil, Davidson County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Davidson County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 41% below the Tennessee average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 15.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 18% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Davidson County, Tennessee
Tennessee's Vast Urban Education Network
Davidson County features a massive educational infrastructure with 169 total schools serving 83,331 students. This complex system includes 85 elementary, 40 middle, and 33 high schools, along with 11 specialized campuses. It is one of the state's most diverse and expansive school landscapes.
High Investment Amid Academic Challenges
The county spends $7,324 per pupil, which is significantly higher than the Tennessee state average of $6,215. However, the 78.1% graduation rate falls well below both the state average of 93.3% and the national benchmark of 87%. A composite school score of 48.0 reflects the unique challenges of managing a large, high-need urban student population.
A Leader in Charter School Integration
Davidson County is the dominant district with 161 schools and over 80,000 students, though it is also home to the Tennessee School for the Blind. Charter schools play a major role here, with 32 schools representing nearly 19% of the total public school options. This provides families with a wide array of specialized educational pathways and alternative models.
Urban Campuses with Large-Scale Enrollments
The vast majority of schools—155 in total—are located in city settings, giving the district a true urban character. McGavock High is the county's largest school with 2,098 students, nearly quadruple the county's average school size of 502 students. Attending school here typically involves being part of a large, diverse campus with a wide range of extracurricular and academic programs.
Navigate Choice in the Nashville Market
With nearly 170 schools and a high density of charter options, Davidson County offers unparalleled choice for home buyers. As you search for property in Nashville and its surrounding neighborhoods, school zones and specialized program availability will be key factors in your home search. The high per-pupil investment shows a strong local commitment to improving these urban learning environments.
School Overview
Total Schools
169
in Davidson County
Total Enrollment
83,331
students
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
32
19% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
2 School Districts in Davidson County
Davidson County
Tennessee School for Blind
169 Public Schools in Davidson County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McGavock High | Davidson County | 9–12 | High | 2,098 |
| Antioch High School | Davidson County | 9–12 | High | 2,083 |
| John Overton High | Davidson County | 9–12 | High | 2,016 |
| Cane Ridge High School | Davidson County | 9–12 | High | 1,948 |
| Hunters Lane High | Davidson County | 9–12 | High | 1,466 |
| Valor Flagship Academy | Davidson County | 5–12 | Charter | 1,400 |
| Hillsboro High | Davidson County | 9–12 | High | 1,227 |
| Martin Luther King Jr School | Davidson County | 7–12 | High | 1,211 |
| Glencliff High School | Davidson County | 9–12 | High | 1,177 |
| Hillwood High | Davidson County | 9–12 | High | 1,123 |
| Hume - Fogg High | Davidson County | 9–12 | High | 898 |
| Intrepid College Preparatory Charter School | Davidson County | 5–12 | Charter | 867 |
| John F. Kennedy Middle | Davidson County | 5–8 | Middle | 827 |
| LEAD Southeast | Davidson County | 5–12 | Charter | 825 |
| Stratford STEM Magnet School | Davidson County | 6–12 | High | 787 |
| Cole Elementary | Davidson County | PK–5 | Primary | 786 |
| East End Preparatory School | Davidson County | KG–8 | Charter | 756 |
| Thurgood Marshall Middle | Davidson County | 5–8 | Middle | 753 |
| Una Elementary | Davidson County | PK–5 | Primary | 749 |
| Cane Ridge Elementary | Davidson County | PK–5 | Primary | 744 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,324
State avg $6,215
Find Homes Near Top Schools
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Davidson County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Davidson County?
How much does Davidson County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Davidson County, Tennessee — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Davidson County, Tennessee?
Davidson County features a massive educational infrastructure with 169 total schools serving 83,331 students. This complex system includes 85 elementary, 40 middle, and 33 high schools, along with 11 specialized campuses. It is one of the state's most diverse and expansive school landscapes.
How do schools in Davidson County perform academically?
The county spends $7,324 per pupil, which is significantly higher than the Tennessee state average of $6,215. However, the 78.1% graduation rate falls well below both the state average of 93.3% and the national benchmark of 87%. A composite school score of 48.0 reflects the unique challenges of managing a large, high-need urban student population.
What are the major school districts in Davidson County, Tennessee?
Davidson County is the dominant district with 161 schools and over 80,000 students, though it is also home to the Tennessee School for the Blind. Charter schools play a major role here, with 32 schools representing nearly 19% of the total public school options. This provides families with a wide array of specialized educational pathways and alternative models.
What is the school experience like in Davidson County?
The vast majority of schools—155 in total—are located in city settings, giving the district a true urban character. McGavock High is the county's largest school with 2,098 students, nearly quadruple the county's average school size of 502 students. Attending school here typically involves being part of a large, diverse campus with a wide range of extracurricular and academic programs.
How can I find homes near good schools in Davidson County, Tennessee?
With nearly 170 schools and a high density of charter options, Davidson County offers unparalleled choice for home buyers. As you search for property in Nashville and its surrounding neighborhoods, school zones and specialized program availability will be key factors in your home search. The high per-pupil investment shows a strong local commitment to improving these urban learning environments.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.