Middle Schools in Jackson-Madison County Schools

These five middle schools in Jackson-Madison County Schools serve grades 6–8 (with one also serving 4th and 5th) and together enroll about 2,332 students in a district ranked 134 out of 141 in Tennessee, placing it in the bottom 5% statewide. All five schools sit below state averages in core subjects, and most are clustered in the bottom quarter of Tennessee middle schools.

For parents, Northeast Middle School is the clear leader: it has the largest enrollment (804), the only two-star rating in the group, and outperforms every other school in math, ELA, science, and social studies. Its standout achievement is Algebra I, where 92% of tested students were proficient—far above the district’s 16.5% and even exceeding the state’s 8th-grade rate of 88.3%. West-Bemis Middle School is a solid second option, with the lowest chronic absenteeism (23.1%) and 8th-grade science proficiency (42%) nearly matching the state average. Both Northeast and West-Bemis beat the district average in every core subject, making them the most reliable choices in the area.

In contrast, Jackson Central Merry Middle School is the most concerning: it ranks in the 4th percentile, posts the lowest proficiency rates (6.5% math, 8.5% ELA), and has a 48% chronic absenteeism rate—meaning nearly half of its students are chronically absent. North Parkway Middle School spends the most per student ($14,959) yet still ranks in the bottom 10%, while Jackson Career Technology Magnet Elementary School carries a “magnet” label but ranks in the 6th percentile with single-digit math and ELA proficiency. Attendance appears strongly tied to achievement across all schools, and higher spending does not guarantee better results. For parents, Northeast and West-Bemis are the strongest options, but the entire district faces systemic challenges that will require attention to attendance, advanced coursework, and programming effectiveness.