Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet for Health Sciences and Engineering at Pearl High School is a public magnet high school located in Nashville, Tennessee. MLK includes grades 7–12, and students enter through a lottery process similar to the other magnet schools in Nashville.
Serving 1,219 students in grades 7-12, Martin Luther King Jr School ranks in the top 5% of all schools in Tennessee for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 5%, and reading proficiency is top 5%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 71% (which is higher than the Tennessee state average of 31%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 87% (which is higher than the Tennessee state average of 37%).
The student:teacher ratio of 20:1 is higher than the Tennessee state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Tennessee state average of 43% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 7-12
- Enrollment: 1,219 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 20:1
- Minority Enrollment: 52%
- Graduation Rate: ≥99% (Top 1% in TN)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 5%
- Math Proficiency: 71% (Top 5%)
- Reading Proficiency: 87% (Top 1%)
- Science Proficiency: 90% (Top 1%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TN Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Martin Luther King Jr School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Tennessee for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Graduation Rate
Diversity
School Overview
Martin Luther King Jr School's student population of 1,219 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 60 teachers has grown by 13% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 7-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
1,219 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
60 teachers
Year Founded
1986
School Rankings
Martin Luther King Jr School ranks within the top 5% of all 1,761 schools in Tennessee (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Martin Luther King Jr School is 0.66, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.61. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#36 out of 1761 schools
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
71%
31%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
87%
37%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
90%
40%
Student : Teacher Ratio
20:1
15:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
8%
2%
Hispanic
9%
15%
Black
32%
21%
White
48%
57%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≥99%
90%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
21%
45%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
7%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TN Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Royals
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Martin Luther King Jr School's ranking?
Martin Luther King Jr School is ranked #36 out of 1,761 schools, which ranks it among the top 5% of public schools in Tennessee.
What schools are Martin Luther King Jr School often compared to?
Martin Luther King Jr Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Hume - Fogg High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
71% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 31% TN state average), while 87% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 37% TN state average).
What is the graduation rate of Martin Luther King Jr School?
The graduation rate of Martin Luther King Jr School is 99%, which is higher than the Tennessee state average of 90%.
How many students attend Martin Luther King Jr School?
1,219 students attend Martin Luther King Jr School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
48% of Martin Luther King Jr School students are White, 32% of students are Black, 9% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Asian, and 3% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Martin Luther King Jr School?
Martin Luther King Jr School has a student ration of 20:1, which is higher than the Tennessee state average of 15:1.
What grades does Martin Luther King Jr School offer ?
Martin Luther King Jr School offers enrollment in grades 7-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Martin Luther King Jr School part of?
Martin Luther King Jr School is part of Davidson County School District.
In what neighborhood is Martin Luther King Jr School located?
Martin Luther King Jr School is located in the Watkins Park neighborhood of Nashville, TN. There are 1 other public schools located in Watkins Park.
School Reviews
Review Martin Luther King Jr School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
