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Poplar Grove 5-8 School

Q: Is Poplar Grove 5-8 School a good school?

Poplar Grove 5-8 School ranks 145 th of 594 Tennessee middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 5-8

145^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 594 Tennessee Middle Schools

Better than 76% of Tennessee middle schools

Summary

Poplar Grove 5-8 School serves 307 students in grades 5–8 in Franklin, TN, and belongs to the Franklin Special School District—a 5-star district ranked 10th out of 141 in Tennessee—but the school itself now trails most of its neighbors in one of the state's most academically elite regions. Poplar Grove was once a top-tier school, ranking in the 93rd–95th percentile statewide as recently as 2020-21, but it has since settled into the 72nd–77th percentile range. The competition nearby is fierce: within roughly 7 miles, Woodland Middle School, Brentwood Middle School, Fred J Page Middle School, Thompson's Station Middle School, and Grassland Middle School all rank in the 94th–100th percentiles, while same-district neighbors Freedom Intermediate School and Freedom Middle School rank in the 88th–91st percentiles.

Academically, Poplar Grove's proficiency rates run well below district averages: 42.8% in math versus the district's 64.4%, and 43.3% in ELA versus 59.8%. The most striking pattern is a sharp 7th-grade decline—6th-grade math proficiency sits at 56.9% but falls to 29.5% by 7th grade, below the state average of 39.2%—and ELA follows a similar slide. Freedom Middle School's 7th-grade math rate of 62.2% is more than double Poplar Grove's. One bright spot: Algebra I proficiency is 88.9%, suggesting students in the accelerated track perform exceptionally well while students in on-grade-level math struggle—a two-tier profile worth understanding.

Poplar Grove spends more per student ($25,182) than nearly every comparable school, including Brentwood Middle School ($12,353) and Woodland Middle School ($12,267), yet outcomes don't reflect that investment. Chronic absenteeism is low at 7.7% versus 18.3% statewide, and the school has shown strong results with English Language Learners and, in recent years, special education students. Performance, however, varies considerably across student groups, and those gaps remain an open challenge. For parents, Poplar Grove offers small classes, strong accelerated math, and a supportive environment—but its overall academic standing, 7th-grade slump, and the exceptional quality of neighboring schools are all important factors to weigh.

307

Students ?

9.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$25,182

Per pupil spending ?

40.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1030 Excellence Way
Franklin, TN 37069

(615) 790-4721

District: Franklin Special School District

Feeder schools for Poplar Grove 5-8 School:

Elementary:

Poplar Grove K-4 School

Racial breakdown:

White:

47.9%

Hispanic:

40.1%

Two or more races:

6.5%

See top rated Tennessee middle schools

Compare Poplar Grove 5-8 School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 95th percentile in 2015 → 76th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Tennessee average (52% vs 44% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 24% of Tennessee middle schools

✓Small classes — about 9 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 19 percentile points since 2015

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school52%

District avg65%

Tennessee avg44%

145^th of 594

Tennessee public middle schools ?

Top 24%▼ down 20 pts since 2017

From top 5% (2017) to top 24% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Tennessee Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 2Middle Schools in the Franklin Special School District

10^th of 141Franklin Special School District among Tennessee districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	70.7	145 of 594	75.6%	★★★★☆
2025	66.9	166 of 583	71.5%	★★★★☆
2024	66.1	164 of 587	72.1%	★★★★☆
2023	70.6	137 of 594	76.9%	★★★★☆
2022	79.8	72 of 569	87.3%	★★★★☆
2021	88.8	38 of 576	93.4%	★★★★★
2019	82.4	57 of 574	90.1%	★★★★★
2018	86.6	41 of 563	92.7%	★★★★★
2017	85.9	17 of 362	95.3%	★★★★★
2015	88.4	25 of 492	94.9%	★★★★★
2014	89.6	15 of 485	96.9%	★★★★★
2013	93.9	12 of 475	97.5%	★★★★★
2012	99.5	3 of 466	99.4%	★★★★★
2011	96.1	10 of 462	97.8%	★★★★★
2010	99.7	3 of 435	99.3%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2022	78.2	13 of 62	79.0%	★★★★☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	59.9	23 of 100	77.0%	★★★★☆
2024	47.1	28 of 73	61.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	61.1	6 of 32	81.3%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	56.2	218 of 546	60.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	54.5	235 of 554	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	67.7	150 of 560	73.2%	★★★★☆
2022	78.4	74 of 552	86.6%	★★★★☆
2021	88.4	38 of 538	92.9%	★★★★★
2019	79.7	59 of 529	88.8%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	44.1	160 of 302	47.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	38.8	171 of 286	40.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	28.3	216 of 285	24.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	41.1	152 of 285	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	45.4	129 of 275	53.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	55.9	78 of 261	70.1%	★★★★☆
2019	48.7	99 of 228	56.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	65.9	57 of 219	74.0%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2024	45.6	258 of 510	49.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	53.5	186 of 495	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	59.9	117 of 483	75.8%	★★★★☆
2019	59.8	139 of 490	71.6%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	72.8	109 of 550	80.2%	★★★★☆
2024	73.7	99 of 560	82.3%	★★★★☆
2023	69.5	121 of 557	78.3%	★★★★☆
2022	76.6	81 of 540	85.0%	★★★★☆
2021	84.4	48 of 529	90.9%	★★★★★
2019	81.0	57 of 523	89.1%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	40.6	173 of 349	50.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	65.3	53 of 332	84.0%	★★★★☆
2024	79.7	23 of 299	92.3%	★★★★★
2018	75.2	14 of 279	95.0%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	76.2	87 of 494	82.4%	★★★★☆
2025	75.4	93 of 492	81.1%	★★★★☆
2024	88.0	45 of 504	91.1%	★★★★★
2023	82.7	67 of 503	86.7%	★★★★☆
2022	89.3	39 of 500	92.2%	★★★★★
2021	95.0	14 of 496	97.2%	★★★★★
2019	93.7	21 of 484	95.7%	★★★★★
2018	92.1	22 of 481	95.4%	★★★★★

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

White (2026)82nd percentile+7 vs school

Male (2025)80th percentile+9 vs school

Asian (2022)79th percentile-8 vs school

English Language Learner (2025)77th percentile+5 vs school

Female (2025)60th percentile-11 vs school

Special Education (2026)50th percentile-25 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2024)49th percentile-23 vs school

Hispanic (2026)47th percentile-29 vs school

By subject vs Tennessee (2025-2026) ?

Algebra I89%+57 vs state

Science63%+16 vs state

Social Studies59%+8 vs state

English Language Arts43%+3 vs state

Mathematics43%~ state avg

★

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Schools Near Poplar Grove 5-8 School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				TNReady Mathematics (2026)					TNReady English Language Arts (2026)					TNReady Algebra I (2026)			TNReady Integrated Math I (2026)			TNReady Integrated Math II (2026)		TNReady Geometry (2026)			TNReady Science (2026)					TNReady Social Studies (2026)				Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2020)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	TNReady Mathematics 5th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 6th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 7th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 8th Grade	TNReady Mathematics All Grades	TNReady English Language Arts 5th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 6th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 7th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 8th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts All Grades	TNReady Algebra I 7th Grade	TNReady Algebra I 8th Grade	TNReady Algebra I All Grades	TNReady Integrated Math I 7th Grade	TNReady Integrated Math I 8th Grade	TNReady Integrated Math I All Grades	TNReady Integrated Math II 8th Grade	TNReady Integrated Math II All Grades	TNReady Geometry 7th Grade	TNReady Geometry 8th Grade	TNReady Geometry All Grades	TNReady Science 5th Grade	TNReady Science 6th Grade	TNReady Science 7th Grade	TNReady Science 8th Grade	TNReady Science All Grades	TNReady Social Studies 6th Grade	TNReady Social Studies 7th Grade	TNReady Social Studies 8th Grade	TNReady Social Studies All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Poplar Grove 5-8 School	Public	5-8	1030 Excellence Way	Franklin	37069	Williamson County	Franklin Special School District	No	No	No	Yes	(615) 790-4721	311	35	9.0	40.7%	145 (46.6%)	6 (1.9%)	136 (43.7%)	4 (1.3%)	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (5.5%)	70.7	145^th of 594 public middle schools	75.6%		66.9	166^th of 583 public middle schools	71.5%	21	55.9	56.9	29.5	33.9	42.8	47.5	55.2	32.5	42.7	43.3		84.6	88.9									55.9	70.7	65.1	60.5	63.0	72.4	62.7	45.3	59.3	$25,182	$413	$24,046
Freedom Middle School	Public	7-8	1000 Excellence Way	Franklin	37064	Williamson County	Franklin Special School District	No	No	No	Yes	(615) 794-0987	500	45	11.2	37.5%	272 (54.4%)	59 (11.8%)	127 (25.4%)	21 (4.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (4.0%)	86.6	53^rd of 594 public middle schools	91.1%		83	69^th of 583 public middle schools	88.2%	16			62.2	48.2	55.6			56.5	44.0	49.9		≥ 95%	≥ 95%							≥ 95%	≥ 95%			67.7	60.4	63.8		72.2	66.4	69.1	$21,336	$415	$19,927
Freedom Intermediate School	Public	5-6	840 Glass Lane	Franklin	37064	Williamson County	Franklin Special School District	No	No	No	Yes	(615) 790-4718	480	48	10.1	39.4%	256 (53.3%)	57 (11.9%)	116 (24.2%)	22 (4.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	28 (5.8%)								(n/a)	76.6	79.3			77.9	66.9	67.6			67.3												67.6	80.2			73.6	76.8			76.8	$20,675	$320	$19,350
Legacy Middle School	Public	6-8	2380 Henpeck Lane	Franklin	37064	Williamson County	Williamson County Schools	No	No	No	No	(615) 472-5310	552	40	13.9		454 (82.2%)	10 (1.8%)	41 (7.4%)	22 (4.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (4.5%)	92.3	34^th of 594 public middle schools	94.3%		92.1	33^rd of 583 public middle schools	94.3%	1		59.3	67.0	48.9	59.5		62.3	67.0	53.5	61.0	≥ 95%	88.0	92.2							≥ 95%	≥ 95%		76.5	78.5	61.5	72.2	77.0	85.9	67.9	77.0	$13,547	$169	$12,712
Grassland Middle School	Public	6-8	2390 Hillsboro Road	Franklin	37069	Williamson County	Williamson County Schools	No	No	No	No	(615) 472-4500	831	54	15.2	5.4%	709 (85.3%)	15 (1.8%)	47 (5.7%)	27 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (4.0%)	96.9	14^th of 594 public middle schools	97.6%		97.2	11^th of 583 public middle schools	98.1%	3		72.0	65.5	73.1	69.8		76.3	71.3	64.3	70.3	≥ 95%	≥ 95%	≥ 95%							≥ 95%	≥ 95%		75.8	78.1	72.1	75.3	77.5	86.4	78.1	80.8	$12,996	$274	$12,227
Brentwood Middle School	Public	6-8	5324 Murray Lane	Brentwood	37027	Williamson County	Williamson County Schools	No	No	No	No	(615) 472-4250	1,126	71	15.7	1.8%	897 (79.7%)	39 (3.5%)	44 (3.9%)	95 (8.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (4.5%)	98.9	3^rd of 594 public middle schools	99.5%		99	3^rd of 583 public middle schools	99.5%			70.4	74.9	87.6	79.3		79.2	79.9	77.4	78.8	≥ 95%	≥ 95%	≥ 95%							≥ 95%	≥ 95%		89.1	83.3	84.2	85.4	88.0	90.6	87.7	88.8	$12,353	$259	$11,663
Woodland Middle School	Public	6-8	1500 Volunteer Pkwy	Brentwood	37027	Williamson County	Williamson County Schools	No	No	No	No	(615) 472-4930	957	57	16.8	2.4%	615 (64.3%)	36 (3.8%)	54 (5.6%)	200 (20.9%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (5.3%)	99.1	2^nd of 594 public middle schools	99.7%		99.4	1^st of 583 public middle schools	99.8%	1		70.6	88.1	86.3	82.5		76.4	85.9	77.4	79.8	≥ 95%	≥ 95%	≥ 95%							≥ 95%	≥ 95%		82.7	90.8	86.5	86.5	89.3	≥ 95%	87.7	91.0	$12,267	$255	$11,537
Thompson's Station Middle School	Public	6-8	2638 Clayton Arnold Road	Thompsons Station	37179	Williamson County	Williamson County Schools	No	No	No	No	(615) 472-5350	566	41	13.9	8.2%	470 (83.0%)	9 (1.6%)	44 (7.8%)	20 (3.5%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	21 (3.7%)	96.2	15^th of 594 public middle schools	97.5%		97.4	10^th of 583 public middle schools	98.3%	5		62.6	68.2	65.0	65.3		68.6	73.9	59.7	67.2		≥ 95%	≥ 95%										76.9	81.0	72.6	76.7	83.3	89.1	74.5	82.0	$14,305	$169	$13,798
Fred J Page Middle School	Public	6-8	6262 Arno Road	Franklin	37064	Williamson County	Williamson County Schools	No	No	No	No	(615) 472-4760	1,308	78	16.8	5.1%	981 (75.0%)	27 (2.1%)	78 (6.0%)	167 (12.8%)	4 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (3.9%)	97.6	10^th of 594 public middle schools	98.3%		98.2	7^th of 583 public middle schools	98.8%	3		72.1	77.9	63.4	72.3		76.7	69.8	60.0	69.0	≥ 95%	≥ 95%	≥ 95%							≥ 95%	≥ 95%		85.5	83.3	73.1	80.7	86.7	88.0	77.4	84.2	$12,148	$254	$11,453
Bellevue Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	655 Colice Jeanne Road	Nashville	37221	Davidson County	Metro Nashville Public Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(615) 662-3000	382	20	18.7	45.7%	175 (45.8%)	88 (23.0%)	61 (16.0%)	25 (6.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	32 (8.4%)	57.1	237^th of 594 public middle schools	60.1%		46.8	299^th of 583 public middle schools	48.7%	62		37.2	45.6	13.9	32.7		47.8	39.5	22.9	36.4					67.9	69.0							60.5	49.7	17.0	45.0	70.1	68.0	41.0	59.1	$16,831	$961	$15,049

Frequently Asked Questions about Poplar Grove 5-8 School

Is Poplar Grove 5-8 School a good school?

Poplar Grove 5-8 School ranks 145^th of 594 Tennessee middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Poplar Grove 5-8 School?

Students at Poplar Grove 5-8 School are 48% White, 40% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 4% African American.

How many students attend Poplar Grove 5-8 School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 307 students attended Poplar Grove 5-8 School.

What district is Poplar Grove 5-8 School in?

Franklin Special School District

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Latest Tennessee data All new data »

2025–26 TNReady test scoresAug 25, 2026

2024–25 dropout ratesApr 2, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataFeb 27, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataDec 18, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Tennessee Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.