Central Magnet School reached No. 1 in the U.S. News & World Report 2025-26 national high school rankings on Aug. 17. The Rutherford County school now sits at the top of a list it had placed third on one year earlier. The ranking is a new benchmark for the school and the district that supports it.
Clark Blair on Central Magnet
Principal Clark Blair said the result reflected work across the school system. “I’ve always said it’s a team effort,” he said, adding, “You can do amazing things when you come together for a common purpose.” Blair also said, “There’s great teachers and schools throughout our entire district,” and John Ash, the founding principal, said, “We’re obviously proud of all the work.”
Central Magnet has served high achievers in grades 6-12 in downtown Murfreesboro since it opened in 2010. The school was fifth nationally in 2019, then moved up to third one year ago before reaching No. 1 this year. That progression puts a Rutherford County public magnet school at the top of a national ranking that is based on the categories used by U.S. News & World Report.
Jenine Ward at Central Magnet
Jenine Ward, a Central Magnet parent and vice president of the Central Magnet Parent Teacher Organization, said the result reflects the school’s academic work and character. “The US News No. 1 ranking highlights the exceptional academic achievements of the school,” she said. Ward added, “My son Connor graduated last year, and my son Parker is a Junior in the high school.”
Ward also said, “As a parent, I am even more proud of the character and integrity of the Central Magnet students,” and, “Not only do they volunteer in the community, but they are generally just good kids.” She said, “I credit the fabulous teachers and staff that extend the 'always my best' motto to academics and beyond.”
Kayla Markwei and 2025-26
Student body president Kayla Markwei said the top ranking fits the school’s message. “It really reflets Central's motto of 'always my best,'” she said. Markwei also said, “We just keep pushing for it,” referring to the goal of international recognition as the No. 1 ranked high school in the world.
The building’s history runs deeper than the current ranking. Before Central Magnet opened in 2010, the campus served as Central Middle beginning in 1972-73, after Central Middle replaced the former Central High when Oakland and Riverdale high schools opened. The question now is what specific factors lifted Central Magnet from third nationally to first in the 2025-26 rankings, and the school’s leaders have not pointed to one single answer. They pointed to the full effort around the building instead.
