MURFREESBORO, TN - Rutherford County Schools have once again proven themselves a leader in Tennessee education. On November 21, 2025, the district celebrated a milestone achievement: 28 schools were named “Reward Schools” by the Tennessee Department of Education, the highest number ever for the county. This designation honors schools that meet or exceed state performance goals and show significant improvement from the prior year.
Last year, 20 schools earned the honor, and the previous record stood at 21. This year’s leap to 28 signals not just consistency but remarkable growth. Director of Schools Dr. Jimmy Sullivan praised the collective effort, noting that the district’s success comes from meeting students where they are and ensuring steady academic progress. “Our strategy is working,” Sullivan said, pointing to the recognition as proof of the district’s commitment.
The announcement follows another accolade: Rutherford County Schools was named a Level 5 district for student growth for the sixth consecutive year, with 32 individual schools also earning Level 5 status, the highest distinction available.
Following is the list of the 2024-2025 Reward Schools announced today:
- Barfield Elementary School
- Blackman Elementary School
- Blackman Middle School
- Buchanan Elementary School
- Cedar Grove Elementary School
- Central Magnet School School
- Christiana Elementary School
- Christiana Middle School
- Eagleville School
- Homer Pittard Campus School
- Lascassas Elementary School
- McFadden School of Excellence
- Oakland High School
- Oakland Middle School
- Plainview Elementary School
- Rockvale Elementary School
- Rockvale Middle School
- Rocky Fork Elementary School
- Rocky Fork Middle School
- Siegel Middle School
- Smyrna Elementary School
- Stewartsboro Elementary School
- Stewarts Creek Elementary School
- Stewarts Creek High School
- Stewarts Creek Middle School
- Thurman Francis Arts Academy
- Whitworth-Buchanan Middle School
- Wilson Elementary School
How Rutherford Stacks Up in Tennessee
With more than 51,000 students enrolled, Rutherford County Schools is the fourth largest district in Tennessee, behind only Shelby County (Memphis), Metro Nashville, and Knox County. Its size reflects the county’s rapid growth, but the district has managed to maintain high performance despite the challenges of expansion.
Charter and Voucher Programs: What They Mean for Public Schools
Charter schools in Tennessee are public schools—they’re tuition-free, open to all students in the district, and held to the same accountability standards as traditional schools. Voucher programs, however, are different. Tennessee’s new statewide voucher initiative provides families with about $7,300 per student to attend private schools. Supporters say vouchers expand choice, but lawsuits argue they divert funding from public schools, weakening districts’ ability to serve all students.
For Rutherford County, the impact of vouchers remains uncertain, but education leaders caution that shifting funds away from traditional schools could strain resources. As the district celebrates its record-breaking success, the broader debate over school choice continues to shape Tennessee’s educational landscape.
