Photo: Harrison Keely · CC BY 4.0Cleveland’s public schools score below 57% of Tennessee districts on tests and graduation
26% of students in Cleveland’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Tennessee average (31%). The grade covers the public school district serving Cleveland, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Tennessee, not nationally.
From Tennessee state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Cleveland’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 34% of tested students were proficient in reading and 26% in math, against 37% and 31% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across Tennessee. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,469 per student, against $13,059 across Tennessee (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Cleveland Middle, then Cleveland High. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Tennessee Christian Preparatory School (private), The Montessori School of Cleveland (private), Faith Haven Christian Academy (private), Cleveland Christian School (private), Bowman Hills School (private), United Christian Academy (private) and Cleveland Academy (private) are in town. Bradley County Virtual School, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Cleveland’s grade
C+: better than 43% of Tennessee school districts, #121 of 176 Tennessee towns. Graduation is above the Tennessee average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Cleveland, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Cleveland
Cleveland Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,291 students
7th grade in Cleveland
Cleveland Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,291 students
8th grade in Cleveland
Cleveland Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,291 students
9th grade in Cleveland
Cleveland High
Grades 9–12 · 1,755 students
10th grade in Cleveland
Cleveland High
Grades 9–12 · 1,755 students
11th grade in Cleveland
Cleveland High
Grades 9–12 · 1,755 students
12th grade in Cleveland
Cleveland High
Grades 9–12 · 1,755 students
Cleveland’s public schools are run by Cleveland City School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Cleveland vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Tennessee towns that share Cleveland’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | C+ | Cleveland City |
Every school in Cleveland
20 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Tennessee’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (North Cleveland GOAL Academy and PIE Innovation Center). 1 duplicate private-school records merged.
Questions about Cleveland’s schools
Are Cleveland’s schools good?
On Tennessee’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Cleveland children attend score below 57% of Tennessee’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #121 of 176 Tennessee towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 43%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Cleveland in?
Cleveland City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,890 students in 9 schools (2024–25).
Where do Cleveland kids go to high school?
Cleveland High, with 1,755 students; its own test results earn a C.
What is Cleveland’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in Cleveland City School District graduated in four years, against 87% across Tennessee.
How much does Cleveland spend per student?
$12,469 in Cleveland City School District (FY2024), against $13,059 across Tennessee. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Cleveland?
Yes: Tennessee Christian Preparatory School (religious, grades PK–12, 192 students), The Montessori School of Cleveland (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 133 students), Faith Haven Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–5, 121 students), Cleveland Christian School (religious, grades K–12, 102 students), Bowman Hills School (religious, grades K–8, 90 students), United Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 51 students) and Cleveland Academy (nonsectarian · all-girls, grades 7–11, 15 students).
Parents talk
What Cleveland families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Cleveland → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Tennessee. Stars are from neighbors.