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Nashville Public Elementary Schools
A practical guide to MNPS elementary schools — what the grades mean, which schools stand out, and why a C doesn't always mean what you think it does.
If you're moving to Nashville with kids in elementary school, the school question comes up fast. And if you've been researching Metro Nashville Public Schools online, you've probably already hit the wall of confusing grades, conflicting rankings, and not enough context to know what any of it actually means.
Here's what we tell buyers who ask us about MNPS elementary schools: the grades matter, but they don't tell the whole story — and if you dismiss every school below a B, you may be ruling out some genuinely good options while chasing zip codes you can't afford.
First, a Word About MNPS and English Learners
Nashville is one of the most linguistically diverse cities in the Southeast. Roughly 25% of MNPS students are active English learners — representing 129 languages and 145 countries. That's not a footnote. That's a quarter of the district.
Why does this matter for school ratings? Because standardized test scores — which power almost every school ranking you'll find, including Niche — are given in English, measure English-language proficiency, and naturally reflect lower scores in schools with higher concentrations of students who are still developing that proficiency. A school serving newly arrived families from Somalia, Kurdistan, and Latin America is going to look very different on paper than it does in person.
That doesn't mean every lower-rated school is a hidden gem. But a C+ from Niche in Nashville is not the same as a C+ in Williamson County. Context is everything.
The best argument for giving these schools a second look isn't sentimental — it's practical. Your child's classroom experience is shaped far more by teacher quality, school culture, and administrative leadership than by the aggregate test scores of every student in the building. Some of the most committed educators in this city work in the higher-need schools. The "bad" grade often belongs to the student population's starting point, not to the school's effort or culture.
How to Use This Guide
We've organized schools by their current Niche overall grade, from highest to lowest, covering the MNPS elementary schools that appeared in Niche's 2026 rankings. We've included student counts, student-teacher ratios, and noted which schools use priority or magnet enrollment — meaning your address may not guarantee admission.
This is a starting point, not a verdict. School zones change, leadership changes, and your child's experience will depend on factors no ranking can capture. We always recommend touring schools before making decisions based on data alone.
⭐ A- Rated Schools
Crieve Hall Elementary
K-5 | 499 students | 14:1 ratio | Niche Grade: A-
One of the most consistently praised elementaries in MNPS. Located in the Crieve Hall neighborhood of South Nashville — an established area with good bones and more reasonable prices than Green Hills or 12 South. Strong parent community, strong test scores, strong reputation.
🏠 Browse homes near Crieve Hall Elementary →Julia Green Elementary
K-5 | 494 students | 15:1 ratio | Niche Grade: A-
In the heart of Green Hills / Oak Hill. Julia Green has a long-standing reputation as one of the best traditional public elementaries in Nashville — high academic performance, engaged parent community. Homes in this zone are some of the priciest in Davidson County. You're paying for the address as much as the school.
🏠 Browse homes near Julia Green Elementary →B+ Rated Schools
Glendale Spanish Immersion Elementary
PK, K-5 | 438 students | 15:1 ratio | Niche Grade: B+ | ⚠️ Priority/Lottery Enrollment
A Spanish dual-language immersion school — a genuinely rare public option. Families seeking bilingual education often seek this one out specifically. Priority enrollment based on zone and lottery; confirm the current year's process through MNPS school options before assuming you're in.
🏠 Browse homes near Glendale Elementary →Lockeland Elementary — Design Center
K-5 | 322 students | 17:1 ratio | Niche Grade: B+ | ⚠️ Priority Zone Enrollment
Located in East Nashville. Lockeland is a design-focused magnet with a strong creative program and a loyal parent following. Residents within the priority zone get first access; others must apply. Small student body, which many families appreciate. The East Nashville location puts you near Five Points, Inglewood, and corridors that have appreciated significantly over the last decade.
🏠 Browse homes near Lockeland Elementary →Percy Priest Elementary
K-5 | 534 students | 15:1 ratio | Niche Grade: B+
A solid B+ school in the Donelson area near Percy Priest Lake. Good academic performance, manageable class sizes, and a location that offers significantly more house for the money than West Nashville or Midtown. Worth strong consideration for families who want public school quality without Green Hills prices.
🏠 Browse homes near Percy Priest Elementary →Harpeth Valley Elementary
PK, K-5 | 717 students | 16:1 ratio | Niche Grade: B+
One of the larger elementaries on this list, located in the Bellevue corridor. Consistent B+ performer with an active parent community. Bellevue has been one of the more affordable in-Davidson areas, though that gap has been narrowing.
🏠 Browse homes near Harpeth Valley Elementary →Waverly-Belmont Elementary
K-5 | 528 students | 16:1 ratio | Niche Grade: B+
Located in Waverly-Belmont, just south of 12 South and Belmont University. Strong scores relative to its urban setting — a school punching above its weight. Homes nearby sit at a premium but are generally more attainable than Green Hills proper.
🏠 Browse homes near Waverly-Belmont Elementary →Stanford Elementary Montessori Design Center
PK, K-5 | 435 students | 17:1 ratio | Niche Grade: B+ | ⚠️ Priority Zone Enrollment
A public Montessori school — a genuinely uncommon offering. Priority zone enrollment applies; this is not a guaranteed-by-address school for most Nashville residents. Families who specifically want Montessori methodology in a public school setting make this a target. The small class feel and alternative curriculum draw a lot of intentional applicants.
🏠 Browse homes near Stanford Montessori →Dan Mills Elementary
PK, K-5 | 604 students | 16:1 ratio | Niche Grade: B+
Located in Madison. Dan Mills has consistently strong parent reviews — a recurring theme is that staff genuinely know their students. Larger enrollment but strong community culture. Madison offers some of the best price-per-square-foot in Davidson County right now, and schools like Dan Mills are part of why families overlook it at their own expense.
🏠 Browse homes near Dan Mills Elementary →Granbery Elementary
K-4 | 651 students | 15:1 ratio | Niche Grade: B+
In the Antioch area. One of the larger elementary schools in MNPS with a B+ rating — solid academic performance and a diverse student body. Antioch continues to draw buyers who want Davidson County addresses at prices that make financial sense.
🏠 Browse homes near Granbery Elementary →B Rated Schools
Eakin Elementary
K-5 | 544 students | 19:1 ratio | Niche Grade: B
Located in West Nashville / the Sylvan Park corridor. Eakin is well-regarded by the community but carries a higher student-teacher ratio than most on this list — 19:1 is worth asking about during any school visit. The West Nashville location keeps home prices elevated, but Eakin's reputation makes it a real draw.
🏠 Browse homes near Eakin Elementary →Nashville Classical
K-8 | 537 students | 24:1 ratio | Niche Grade: B | Charter — Apply Regardless of Address
A charter school with a classical curriculum — structured, academically rigorous, and mission-driven. The 24:1 ratio is the highest on this list and worth asking about on any tour. Enrollment is by application regardless of where you live. The model isn't for every family — the structure is intentional — but the academics are solid.
Sylvan Park Paideia Design Center
K-5 | 439 students | 15:1 ratio | Niche Grade: B
In Sylvan Park — one of the most sought-after in-town neighborhoods. The Paideia model emphasizes discussion-based learning and inquiry. Strong parent reviews, B overall, and being in the Sylvan Park zone is a real real estate consideration. Homes here move quickly.
🏠 Browse homes near Sylvan Park Paideia →Purpose Prep
K-5 | 419 students | 32:1 ratio | Niche Grade: B | Charter — Apply Regardless of Address
A charter school in North Nashville with a college-prep mission. The overall Niche grade is B, but the 32:1 student-teacher ratio is the highest on this entire list — by a significant margin. That's worth understanding before enrolling. The mission is clear and staff investment appears high. Worth researching carefully rather than choosing based on grade alone.
Andrew Jackson Elementary
PK, K-5 | 489 students | 14:1 ratio | Niche Grade: B
One of the better student-teacher ratios on this list. B overall grade, good class sizes. Located in Hermitage. A reliable, no-drama public elementary for families in the Hermitage/Donelson corridor.
🏠 Browse homes near Andrew Jackson Elementary →Joelton Elementary
PK, K-5 | 278 students | 15:1 ratio | Niche Grade: B
A small school in the Joelton corridor of northwest Davidson County. Small enrollment means kids are known — which matters at the elementary level. Parent reviews reflect this strongly, especially for families with kids who have IEPs or need more individual attention. If you're buying out that way, Joelton Elementary is a genuine asset.
🏠 Browse homes near Joelton Elementary →B- Rated Schools
May Werthan Shayne Elementary
PK, K-4 | 704 students | 16:1 ratio | Niche Grade: B-
One of the largest schools on this list, located in North Nashville. B- overall with a strong community sentiment in available reviews. Large population means more resources in some areas, but also more variability in classroom experience.
🏠 Browse homes near May Werthan Shayne Elementary →Gower Elementary
PK, K-5 | 617 students | 17:1 ratio | Niche Grade: B-
In West Nashville near the Bellevue/I-40 corridor. B- overall grade, but the available parent review is enthusiastic about principal leadership and community culture. Active PTO, diverse student body. Worth visiting rather than dismissing based on the letter grade.
🏠 Browse homes near Gower Elementary →Ruby Major Elementary
PK, K-5 | 572 students | 15:1 ratio | Niche Grade: B-
Located in Madison. Staff reviews here are consistently warm — parents who've transferred from other districts describe the culture favorably. A B- on Niche doesn't reflect the enthusiasm in the parent community. Madison's affordability plus a school this well-regarded is a combination worth taking seriously.
🏠 Browse homes near Ruby Major Elementary →Charlotte Park Elementary
PK, K-5 | 514 students | 15:1 ratio | Niche Grade: B-
In the Charlotte Park/Charlotte Pike area of West Nashville. B- grade, reasonable class size. The neighborhood is in transition — proximity to The Nations has driven some appreciation here. Limited public reviews make this one harder to assess from the outside; a school visit is particularly worthwhile.
🏠 Browse homes near Charlotte Park Elementary →C+ Rated Schools — Read This Before You Skip Them
This is where the EL context matters most. Several schools in the C+ range serve student populations that are 40–60%+ English learners, or high concentrations of students from lower-income households. The scores reflect where students start — not necessarily what the school is doing for them day to day. That said, not every C+ school is the same, and we're not going to pretend otherwise. The right question isn't "what's the grade?" — it's "what's happening in the building?"
Westmeade Elementary
K-5 | 466 students | 15:1 ratio | Niche Grade: C+
In the West Meade neighborhood — an area with significantly higher home prices than the school's C+ grade would suggest. Westmeade's diverse enrollment (roughly 60% minority) means its aggregate test scores don't tell the full story. Parent reviews are genuinely positive: staff is described as responsive, the librarian runs lunchtime reading clubs, and leadership has introduced academic incentives that families notice. If you're buying in West Meade and weighing private school, tour this one first.
🏠 Browse homes near Westmeade Elementary →Old Center Elementary
PK, K-5 | 351 students | 15:1 ratio | Niche Grade: C+
In Madison. Smaller school, C+ grade. Limited public review data makes this one harder to assess from the outside. Madison as a whole is undervalued by buyers who haven't looked closely at what's there — this school deserves a visit rather than a skip based on a letter grade.
🏠 Browse homes near Old Center Elementary →Rosebank Elementary
PK, K-5 | 440 students | 16:1 ratio | Niche Grade: C+
Located near Antioch. C+ overall with a diverse student body. Like many MNPS schools in the Antioch corridor, aggregate scores reflect the concentration of EL students. Worth looking into if you're buying in that part of Davidson County.
🏠 Browse homes near Rosebank Elementary →Smithson Craighead Academy
K-5 | 333 students | 14:1 ratio | Niche Grade: C+ | Charter — Apply Regardless of Address
Located in Madison. We'll be straight here: the underlying test score data is genuinely low — around 19–22% proficiency in math and reading — even accounting for the nearly 50% Hispanic, high-EL enrollment. The student-teacher ratio (14:1) is the best of any school on this list, and the mission is committed. Parent reviews skew warmly toward staff and community culture. But the gap between the Niche C+ and the proficiency data is significant. Visit in person, ask specific questions about student progress, and make the call with clear eyes.
Explore Community School
K-8 | 560 students | 18:1 ratio | Niche Grade: C+ | Charter — Apply Regardless of Address
A project-based learning charter serving K-8. Strong parent reviews — families describe a values-driven school culture built around five core principles, with a curriculum focused on critical thinking and real-world inquiry. The C+ Niche grade doesn't reflect the enthusiastic parent community this school has built. If you're drawn to alternative pedagogy in a public/charter setting and your kid thrives with that approach, Explore deserves a serious look.
🗺️ How School Zones Actually Work in Nashville
A few reminders that trip buyers up constantly:
- Your address determines your zone — not your zip code, not your neighborhood name. Use the MNPS school finder to confirm.
- Magnet and design center schools (Lockeland, Stanford Montessori, Sylvan Park Paideia, Glendale, etc.) have priority enrollment zones. Residents within the zone get first access; others enter a lottery.
- Charter schools (Nashville Classical, Purpose Prep, Smithson Craighead, Explore) don't have zones — you apply regardless of address, and availability varies by year.
- Zones change. MNPS has redistricted before and will again. Confirm current zone boundaries directly with MNPS before making a home purchase based primarily on school assignment.
The Bottom Line on MNPS Elementary Schools
Metro Nashville Public Schools is a large, complex district serving a genuinely diverse city. The best schools in this district are legitimately excellent. The lower-rated ones often reflect socioeconomic and linguistic challenges that no school can fully overcome in standardized test scores — but some of them are doing extraordinary work for the kids in their buildings.
We've been helping families buy in Nashville for over 22 years. The school question almost always comes up, and our honest answer is always the same: the grade is a starting point. The visit is where you actually learn something.
FAQs: Nashville Public Elementary Schools
How do I find out which MNPS elementary school my address is zoned for?
Use the MNPS school finder tool on the MNPS website. Enter your specific street address — zip codes and neighborhood names aren't precise enough to confirm zone assignment.
Are magnet schools in Nashville free?
Yes. MNPS magnet and design center schools are tuition-free public schools. The difference is in admission — priority zones and lottery enrollment apply for most magnet programs.
Can I send my child to a Nashville charter school if I don't live nearby?
Yes. Charter schools in MNPS are open to all Davidson County residents regardless of address. Apply through the MNPS enrollment process for your preferred charter school.
Do Nashville school scores account for English language learners separately?
Not in most aggregate rankings like Niche. Roughly 25% of MNPS students are active English learners, and their standardized test scores — taken in English — are included in the school-wide numbers that generate letter grades and rankings.
How often do MNPS school zones change?
Redistricting happens periodically and can affect zone assignments with relatively little notice. Always verify current zone assignment directly with MNPS before making a purchase decision based on a specific school.
Ready to Find a Home Near a School You Love?
We're James and Stephanie Crawford — Nashville natives, licensed since 2002, and the team behind Nesting Realty. We help buyers get into the right home in the right area, and that includes honest conversations about schools, neighborhoods, and what the data actually means.
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Written by Stephanie Crawford, Broker — Nesting Realty
22+ years helping Nashville families buy and sell homes across Middle Tennessee. Nashville native. Lived it, sold it, know it. About Us →
