Rutherford County Schools is celebrating a major sweep in U.S. News & World Report’s latest rankings, taking top honors among Tennessee’s best elementary, middle and high schools.
Thurman Francis Arts Academy finished first for elementary schools, with McFadden School of Excellence second.
At the middle school level, Central Magnet ranked first and Thurman Francis was second.
Additionally, Central Magnet ranked first in Tennessee and third nationwide when high school rankings were released earlier this year.
Rankings for elementary and middle schools were determined by the percentage of students who scored as proficient or above proficient in mathematics and reading/language arts on state assessments and how those results relate to a school’s socioeconomic demographics.
For high schools, U.S. News & World Report used a combination of data from state assessments, the U.S. Department of Education, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exam data. Learn more at usnews.com/education/k12.
Central, McFadden and Thurman Francis are considered academic magnet schools by RCS and fall under the district’s School Choice offerings, which are open to applications from family in Rutherford County. Details about School Choice are available at rcschools.net/choice.
Central's Nau named Secondary Level Teacher of the Year
Lacey Nau serves as school's AP English and seminar teacher
Read more here: rcschools.net/apps/news/arti…
Central Magnet Student to Speak at TEDxYouth@JeffersonStreet in Nashville
Madison Harbour to share her story of leadership and innovation on November 16
Central Magnet School junior Madison Harbour will be among the featured presenters at TEDxYouth@JeffersonStreet on Sunday, November 16, at The Cal Turner Family Center at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee.
Harbour will share her insights on the meaning of true art and how its imperfections, our struggles, scars and stories, give music its soul. Her message challenges audiences to consider how, as machines become more capable, we risk losing the human pulse that makes art authentic and meaningful. Her talk is part of the event’s 2025 theme, STEAM with a Twist.
“Being part of TEDxYouth@JeffersonStreet is such an incredible opportunity to inspire others to see that leadership and creativity go hand in hand,” Harbour said. “I want young people, especially girls interested in STEM, to know that they belong in every room where ideas are being created.”
Harbour currently serves as an Ambassador for Potentia360, a nonprofit organization empowering high school girls in technology, and she co-founded the Potentia360@CMS chapter at Central Magnet. She is also Curriculum Lead for the Society of Women Engineers and Co-Founder and President of the Central Magnet Podcast Club, where she helps amplify student voices through storytelling and media.
A talented musician, Harbour earned a spot in the 2026 All-State Choir and is an active member of both the Tri-Music Honor Society and the CMS Show Choir. She hopes to combine her passions for technology and creativity as she pursues a career in computer engineering.
Event Details: Sunday, November 16, 2025
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Doors Open: 10:30 a.m.
The Cal Turner Family Center at Meharry Medical College | 1011 21st Ave N, Nashville, TN
Free & Open to the Public | Registration Required
US News and World Reports ranks Central Magnet School as the #1 School in Tennessee and the #3 school in the United States. Congratulations to the entire Central family.
usnews.com/education/best…
Congratulations Central Magnet School Class of 2025 🎉
Central Magnet School’s Class of 2025 is comprised of 194 students
Read more here: rcschools.net/apps/news/arti…@Central_Magnet
Congratulations to first-year DECA member Kyle Carter, a junior at Central Magnet School, for making history as the chapter’s first international winner!
Carter placed third in the Restaurant and Food Service Management event at the 2025 DECA International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Florida.
Sponsored by Raising Cane’s, the win capped off a season of first-place finishes at both the district and state levels.
Class of 2025, the day you've been waiting for all year is almost here!
Details about parking and other information for graduation ceremonies happening at MTSU, is available at trst.in/rOCQlD.
Congratulations to 1st year member Kyle Carter for bringing home ICDC “glass” and making history as Central Magnet DECA’s first ICDC winner! 3rd place in the nation in the Restaurant and Food Service Management Series Event. @CMSAPNichols@RuCoCTE
Congratulations to Anirudh Kodukula for his achievement at ICDC in Orlando, Florida. Finished in the Top 20 in the nation for the Business Finance Series Event. @CMSAPNichols@RuCoCTE
Congratulations to 1st year member Ana Linares for her achievement at ICDC as a Semifinalist in the Principles of Marketing Event. She received a top placement in the Information Management role play for her event. @CMSAPNichols
Congratulations to the Central Magnet School Choirs. Show Choir and Varsity Choir both received a Superior rating at the TN ACDA State Choral Performance Assessment.
Congratulations to Central Magnet Alum, Blake Yuenger. Blake is a chemistry major at the University of Alabama. He was named the national Goldwater Scholar award winner. the Goldwater is the top undergraduate STEM award in the United States.