Martin Luther King Junior Magnet- Pearl High School

Posted: April 24, 2025

MLK Alum here! I graduated in 2020 (covid year) and have now been through a 4 year college and start my professional career as an educator in August of this year. MLK has everything to do with what I do now. Now, the rigor is challenging and while there were nights I stayed up to make deadlines, and finish projects, show me a high school where you won’t do these things…And in college, it only gets worse IF you don’t prepare accordingly. I cheered at MLK from my sophomore year to my senior year. I was in numerous clubs like Youth in Government, Model United Nations, French Club, just to name a few. Parents, I urge you to send your students to MLK because the leadership is strong, the teachers care/love their students, and the environment itself is a great place to foster student learning/growth.

Before I came into MLK I was an A/B student coming from Head Middle Magnet. My first year (seventh grade) at MLK, I maintained a D or an F in 1 class because I realized I never knew how to truly study. I was a very hard worker so it made sense that my 85 average was due to my strong work ethic and not so much of me applying the knowledge that I have learned. Through many parent teacher conferences, study groups with my peers, and extended help from my teacher, I finished with my first C. While it isn’t an A or a B, I was so proud of my C because I knew that I did as much as I could to pass the class.

Then came graduation, and then 4.5 years later at my university, I graduated with Latin Honors, came out with zero student loans due to scholarships, and all while being on a Captain of a D1 Dance Team. My point is, it is okay if your child struggles a little, it is okay if they stay up past their bedtime to finish their homework, it is okay for them to feel stress sometimes. Maybe they need help with time management and breaking up assignments through the week so they aren’t overloading themselves all on one day. Instead of pulling them out, figure out what you can do to support them. Because the school definitely will.

Posted: April 24, 2025

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Posted: September 25, 2024

We love MLK. My daughter is challenged by her excellent teachers at MLK. She started in 7th grade and was surprised by the rigor of the academic curriculum.

She was able to get on track with the support of the school. In addition to the accelerated academic program, she has played soccer and the team has benefited from a great coach.

She has made friends from all over Nashville including East Nashville, West Nashville, and Southeast Nashville.

The PTSA is active and gives back to the school through fundraising and teacher appreciation events.

It is located in a growing part of town with a park across the street.

Posted: September 25, 2024

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Posted: February 24, 2024

I'll start with the positives: It's a very diverse school both economically and demographically. My kid has friends from all walks of life, and I'm grateful for the inclusive social atmosphere. There is a *lot* of focus on college preparedness and many out-of-school meetings/announcements/opportunities. Frankly, that part is quite overwhelming for dual working parents to try to keep up with, but I appreciate all of the efforts by the school to put almost endless options in front of students.

MLK is extremely rigorous and challenging, which should be considered a perk. Unfortunately, some of the teachers (at least in the 7th and 8th grade) take pride in overloading the students with excessive homework: we're talking almost an hour a day each day per core class (3-4 hrs of homework per night). My kid doesn't have a social life nor athletic life in order to complete his schoolwork. There isn't enough support or encouragement for students learning their time management skills: the students are simply overbooked on work. Some teachers are empathetic and do give constructive feedback. A few others double-down on busy work when students express frustration and then complain about how much they have to grade.

My observation has been that girls have done better in meeting the school's expectations (extreme organization, quiet and on task virtually 100% of the time) to be successful, as per our society's gendered norms. The boys have had a harder time of it since near perfection is required. 8th grade science covers physics and thermodynamics at very advanced levels - learning the material alongside your student to help them will introduce you to formulas and concepts you probably didn't have to do in high school or potentially even college.

I'm not sure we will stay at MLK. The first two years has virtually killed my child's love of learning and exhausted him. He still tests exceptionally well on standardized tests (everyone takes the PSAT in addition to the usual state required tests), but he struggles to avoid C's due to the workloads and has lost so much confidence in himself as a learner, and several of his friends similarly seem worn down even if they are 'succeeding' in this environment.

Posted: February 24, 2024

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Posted: January 7, 2023

Martin Luther King Junior Magnet- Pearl High School. This school attracts the smarts and brains around MNPS like a Magnet. Overall, 10/10.

Posted: January 7, 2023

Posted: August 20, 2020

Posted: August 20, 2020

I will rate this school a 1 if I could this school is a joke all they want is the money for your children they don’t ca about your child

Posted: August 20, 2020

They don’t care if your child in need of a IEP they do nothing to help your child succeed

Posted: August 20, 2020

They don’t even try to help kids with IEP

Posted: August 20, 2020

The stuff is very rude and disrespectful and they lie to much to cover they behind when they get caught on a lie they lie and tell the Achievement that they do IEP and the fake IEP to cover up not doing one

Posted: August 20, 2020

They are rude in they lie on parents and students a lot so they can keep getting payed they hold children there just for a check they don’t care about your children they don’t care if your child have a disability

Posted: August 20, 2020

They never help my child who had a disability my child has a disability and she was treated poorly and her disability didn’t matter to them

Posted: July 31, 2019

Posted: July 31, 2019

Posted: July 31, 2019

We had one questionable teacher experience between my two students in our first year at this school. I think that is far better than average. This particular teacher appeared to leave a lot up to the student to figure out on his or her own which is concerning considering the influence this class could have on higher education or career choices. I understand that she isn't returning this year so I'm hopeful that better experiences are ahead.

Posted: July 31, 2019

Posted: July 31, 2019

Posted: July 31, 2019

Posted: July 31, 2019

So far, so good. I do think it's challenging to engage with and feel connected to a school that pulls students from all over the city. For the adults, it's difficult to have a sense of community when every event offered at the school requires a real driving commitment for those outside of the downtown core. However, we knew that going in and had already experienced the same challenge in a charter middle school. I'm excited for the years ahead and do feel like this has been a good fit for both of my children.

Posted: September 14, 2013

We feel very fortunate that our daughter is able to attend MLK. She has had an outstanding experience so far. It's very pleasing that there's a school that is challenging for exceptional students. Meeting every need of these high achieving students!

Posted: May 19, 2013

Both my son's graduated 2013 and 2006. This is a wonderful school. Both did very well. The teachers and principle are the best. They were well prepared for college.

Posted: April 29, 2013

I.ve done my studing on the school and to me it is offering a lot and students are pleased to be attended there. So hopefully my daughter will be attened this environment of happiest this fall.

Posted: July 21, 2012

Great academics, wonderful extra curricular activities. Parental involvement could be better, but a really great school for bright students. Great leadership.