Rutherford Central Magnet Principals Unveil Strategy Behind Top National Rank
Central Magnet School Named #1 High School in the Nation!
Updated August 20, 2026
What Happened?
Big news from Murfreesboro, Tennessee! Rutherford County’s Central Magnet School has just been ranked the #1 public high school in the entire United States by U.S. News & World Report for the 2025-26 school year.
Important Point: This isn’t just a local award—it’s a national championship for academics. Out of thousands of high schools across the country, Central Magnet came out on top.
Meet the School: Central Magnet School
- Grades: 6–12 (middle and high school together)
- Location: Downtown Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- Opened: 2010
- Motto: "Always my best"
- Focus: High-achieving students, rigorous academics, STEM, and extracurriculars
Did you know? The building has a history!
Before Central Magnet moved in, it was Central Middle School (starting in 1972) and even earlier, Central High School. Central High closed when two new schools—Oakland and Riverdale—opened.
The Journey to #1
Central Magnet has been climbing the ladder for years:
| Year | National Rank |
|---|---|
| 2019 | #5 |
| 2024 (previous year) | #3 |
| 2025-26 (this year) | #1 |
Student Body President Kayla Markwei says:
"It really reflects Central’s motto of ‘always my best.’ We just keep pushing for it."
Voices of Celebration
Kayla Markwei – Student Body President (Senior)
- Dreams of becoming a surgeon (hopes for scholarships from Vanderbilt, Duke, etc.)
- Working on a senior thesis project with classmate Cayden Maloney: redesigning medical stretchers to reduce back pain for healthcare workers.
- Loves the school culture: "All of us who go to Central are nerds. Even if we try to hide it, we all kind of know it. We appreciate being authentic. We’re all here to pursue knowledge and fun."
Jenine Ward – Parent & PTO Vice President
- Two sons attended Central (one graduated, one is a junior).
- Proud of academics AND character: "Not only do they volunteer in the community, but they are generally just good kids. I credit the fabulous teachers and staff that extend the ‘always my best’ motto to academics and beyond."
John Ash – Founding Principal (17 years, 2009–2026)
- Led the school from planning to opening day.
- Now Director of Schools for Smith County (his home county).
- His proudest stat: 19 students earned a perfect 36 on the ACT (college entrance exam) last year.
- Also noted 22 National Merit Semifinalists/Finalists in 2025-26 (based on PSAT scores).
- Graduates go to military academies, Ivy League, MIT, Caltech, and top universities worldwide.
- His philosophy: "The teachers deserve all the credit. They do whatever it takes to make sure each child is successful."
Clark Blair – New Principal (Started 2025-26)
- Worked with John Ash for 20+ years (they opened Christiana Middle School together in 2003).
- Former principal of McFadden School of Excellence (K-5 magnet).
- Believes in teamwork: "You can do amazing things when you come together for a common purpose."
Jimmy Sullivan – Rutherford County Schools Director
- Calls Central Magnet a shining example of the whole district’s strength.
- Notes many Rutherford County schools earned Level 5 (top) growth scores and A grades on the state report card.
- Praises both principals: Dr. Ash built the legacy; Dr. Blair has the skillset to continue it.
Academic Excellence by the Numbers
- #1 National Ranking – U.S. News & World Report (2025-26)
- 19 Perfect ACT Scores (36) – previous school year
- 22 National Merit Semifinalists/Finalists – 2025-26
- 100% College Readiness – students prepared for top universities globally
- Grades 6–12 – seamless advanced curriculum
- Motto in Action: "Always my best"
A Team Effort: Two Principals, One Vision
| Principal | Role | Connection |
|---|---|---|
| John Ash | Founding Principal (2009–2026) | Hired Clark Blair as assistant principal at Christiana Middle in 2003 |
| Clark Blair | Current Principal (2026–present) | 21 years at McFadden Elementary Magnet; worked with Ash for two decades |
Key Takeaway: Success didn’t happen overnight. It took 17 years of consistent leadership, teacher dedication, parent support, and student drive.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Central Magnet?
- International Recognition – Kayla wants the school to be #1 in the world.
- Continued Innovation – Senior projects like the stretcher redesign show real-world problem solving.
- District-Wide Excellence – Central’s success lifts all Rutherford County schools.
- Staying True to the Motto – "Always my best" remains the guiding star.
Summary
Central Magnet School in Murfreesboro, TN, has been crowned America’s #1 public high school by U.S. News & World Report. This achievement caps a steady rise from #5 (2019) to #3 (2024) to #1 (2025-26). The school serves high-achieving students in grades 6–12 and is famous for its "always my best" culture. Key ingredients: exceptional teachers (perfect ACT scores, National Merit scholars), dedicated principals (founding leader John Ash and successor Clark Blair), supportive parents, and motivated students who proudly call themselves "nerds" pursuing "knowledge and fun." The district director hails it as proof of strong public education county-wide.
FAQ
1. What is a "magnet school"?
A magnet school is a public school with a special focus (like STEM, arts, or academics) that attracts high-achieving students from across a district. They’re free to attend but usually have admission requirements.
2. What does the U.S. News ranking measure?
It looks at college readiness (AP/IB exams), state test scores, graduation rates, and performance of underserved students. Being #1 means Central Magnet tops the list nationally on these metrics.
3. How many students got a perfect ACT score?
19 students earned a perfect 36 on the ACT in the previous school year. That’s incredibly rare—nationally, less than 0.2% of test-takers achieve this.
4. Who are the two principals mentioned?
- John Ash: Founding principal (17 years), now Director of Schools in Smith County.
- Clark Blair: New principal (since 2025-26), veteran educator who worked with Ash for 20+ years.
5. What makes Central Magnet’s culture special?
Students describe it as a place where it’s cool to be smart ("we’re all nerds"), authenticity is valued, and the motto "always my best" applies to academics, character, and community service. Clubs like DECA (business/entrepreneurship) and senior thesis projects let students explore real-world passions.