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Best High Schools in Tennessee
(2026 List)

Moonpreneur’s rating is based primarily on the STEM performance of the School using the Math Score of the School. We also take into account the Student teacher ratio, the review and rating by others. Read more on how STEM ranking was calculated.

In 2026, the Tennessee K-12 education system, consistently ranked in the national mid-to-low 30s, has become a leader in post-pandemic recovery. Between 2019 and 2025, the ranks of Tennessee were 3rd in recovery for math and 9th for reading, reflecting an unprecedented academic momentum with an ongoing equity gap for English language learners. In addition, Tennessee magnet schools, including Central Magnet, Hume-Fogg, and Merrol Hyde, continue to provide outstanding outcomes. The best high schools in Tennessee are characterized by being research-based, reform-driven (i.e., teacher effectiveness), resilient, improvement-focused, and providing evidence of instructional gains that are based on research.