Nashville and Memphis Report Historic Student Growth while Chattanooga Sees Steady Progress
Tennessee’s two largest school districts, Metro Nashville Public Schools and Memphis-Shelby County Schools, posted historic academic growth for the fourth year in a row, earning the state’s top rating on student progress in 2025, according to new Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS) results. Meanwhile, Hamilton County Schools reported steady growth, meeting state expectations and showing improvement in high school math and literacy.
The TVAAS measures student academic growth year over year compared to peers statewide, with Level 5 being the highest rating possible.
Nashville: Four Straight Years of Level 5 Growth
Metro Nashville Public Schools announced it had once again earned a Level 5 TVAAS composite score in a news release sent to the Tennessee Firefly, marking the fourth consecutive year of sustained growth, the first time in district history.
“This incredible achievement is the result of the hard work and dedication of our teachers, staff, students, and families, and the strong support of our Board of Education,” said Director of Schools Dr. Adrienne Battle. “For four years running, our district has earned the highest growth rating in Tennessee, proving that when we work together with focus and commitment, our students thrive.”
MNPS also reported record-high scores in English Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies, with the highest Science scores since the adoption of new state standards.
“Four straight years of Level 5 growth is proof of what happens when we believe in our students, support our educators, and invest in strong public schools,” said Mayor Freddie O’Connell.
Memphis: “Greatness Is a Movement”
Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) also earned an overall Level 5 for the fourth straight year, with districtwide Literacy posting a Level 5 rating for the same period.
“Earning an overall Level 5 for the fourth consecutive year proves that greatness is not a moment in Memphis-Shelby County Schools; it is a movement,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Roderick Richmond. “This milestone reflects the dedication of our teachers, the resilience of our students, and the unwavering support of our families. Progress is not accidental. It is intentional, hard-earned, and born from the belief that every child holds unlimited potential.”
Eight schools — including Bolton High, Douglass High, and Riverwood Elementary — rose from a Level 1 overall composite in 2024 to Level 5 in 2025, a turnaround district officials called “remarkable.”
Still, MSCS reported challenges in Social Studies, where growth fell to Level 2 in grades 4–8. Richmond said the district would implement a comprehensive plan to strengthen Social Studies instruction, noting, “Greatness grows not by ignoring challenges, but by confronting them with vision and determination.”
Chattanooga: Meeting Expectations, With Gains in Math and Literacy
Hamilton County Schools (HCS) earned a composite Level 3 rating, meaning students met state expectations for growth. The district highlighted notable progress in math and literacy.
“All areas tested in high school math earned TVAAS growth scores at Level 4 or 5 for the first time since the 2020-21 school year,” the district reported, crediting a new math curriculum and freshman academies for the gains. Fourth-grade English language arts also achieved Level 5 growth for the first time since 2018-19.
“These results are a direct reflection of the commitment our educators, families, and school communities show in supporting students every day,” said Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson. “I am very proud of our district's combined outcomes in growth and proficiency; these results are evidence that HCS is improving in our consistency and implementation.”
HCS leaders acknowledged middle grades remain an area for improvement and launched a “Tier 1 First” strategy this year to strengthen core instruction.
The Tennessee Department of Education will use TVAAS scores to help determine the School Letter Grades for individual schools in December.
