Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 37207

Zip code 37207 in Nashville is home to four middle schools—KIPP Academy Nashville School, KIPP Nashville College Prep School, Jere Baxter Middle School, and Haynes Middle School—serving grades 5–8 or 6–8 with a combined enrollment of 1,354 students, all part of the Metro Nashville Public Schools district, which ranks in the bottom 11th percentile of Tennessee districts. The KIPP schools serve grades 5–8, while the other two serve grades 6–8; performance is dramatically split, with two schools in the top half of Tennessee and two near the very bottom.

KIPP Academy Nashville School is the group's strongest, ranking in the 63rd percentile statewide with 3 stars. It has the lowest chronic absenteeism (7.5%) and leads the group in ELA (34.9%) and social studies (67.2%). KIPP Nashville College Prep School is close behind, ranking in the 57th percentile, and posts the highest math (43.6%) and science (44.2%) rates in the group—its 8th grade math rate of 57.1% towers over the district's 26.1%. By contrast, Jere Baxter Middle School and Haynes Middle School both received 0 stars and sit in the bottom 10th percentile. Haynes has the lowest math proficiency (6.2%) and a severe 51.0% chronic absenteeism rate—more than double the district average and nearly seven times KIPP Academy Nashville School's rate.

Chronic absenteeism tracks closely with academic outcomes, and spending does not explain the differences. Haynes Middle School spends the most ($20,855 per student) yet posts the lowest scores, while Jere Baxter Middle School spends the least ($18,122) and outperforms Haynes in math, science, and social studies. ELA is a universal weakness—even KIPP Academy Nashville School's 34.9% is below the state average of 40.6%, and the non-KIPP schools have ELA proficiency around 13%. Both KIPP schools exceed the state average in social studies, with KIPP Academy Nashville School at 67.2% versus 51.4% statewide. All four schools improved their statewide rank from the prior year, but the KIPP schools remain in a much stronger position. For parents, the KIPP schools offer stronger academics and lower absenteeism, while the two non-KIPP schools face serious challenges.