Summary:
ZIP code 37312 is served by a single middle school, Cleveland Middle School, part of Cleveland City Schools, which enrolls 1,291 students in grades 6–8 and anchors the area’s middle-grade education landscape. This means the school's performance data also represents the district's middle school profile, offering no in-district comparison but plenty of context against Tennessee state averages.
Cleveland Middle School has one striking academic bright spot: 81.5% of its 8th graders taking Algebra I scored proficient, far surpassing the state average of 32.3% and district average of 18.4%. However, this reflects a select group of advanced students; overall math proficiency stands at just 27%, and the school lags the state in every core subject—math (27% vs. 43%), English language arts (25.3% vs. 40.6%), science (34.6% vs. 46.9%), and social studies (38.3% vs. 51.4%). Grade-level data show challenges across 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, with 7th grade ELA notably low at 20.9% proficient. Chronic absenteeism is a serious concern, with 26.5% of students missing enough school to be considered chronically absent, compared to 18.3% statewide. The school's state ranking has declined steadily from the 38th percentile in 2023-2024 to 29th in 2025-2026, and its star rating dropped from 2 stars to 1.
Despite per-student spending of $12,680, which is not insubstantial, academic outcomes remain below state norms. For parents considering this school, the Algebra I results show that advanced learners can thrive, but the broader picture indicates a school struggling with core proficiency and attendance. There is only one middle school here, so school choice is limited within the ZIP code, but understanding these strengths and challenges can help families advocate for targeted support—particularly in math, reading, and attendance intervention. Cleveland Middle School serves as the barometer for middle-level education in 37312, and the data suggest significant room for improvement.
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