Germantown
Municipal School District
About
For the past decade, Germantown Municipal School District has inspired excellence in academics, facilities, programs, athletics, and the arts. Committed to fostering innovation and empowering students, GMSD stands as one of the top-performing districts in Tennessee, with elementary schools leading in literacy and a district ACT average of 24.5.
Nestled in the heart of Germantown, Tennessee, a quiet and family-oriented suburb just outside Memphis, GMSD serves as a cornerstone of the community. With a student population of nearly 6,000, GMSD is home to seven schools: three elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, one K-8 school, and one virtual school.
The district is proud of its diverse student body, with 12% identifying as Black or African American, 9% as Asian, 6% as Hispanic, and 72% as White. Students from 49 different birth nations further enrich the culture of GMSD schools, creating a dynamic and inclusive environment.
Excellent Outcomes
With rigorous coursework offered at every level, as well as programs for both gifted students and those requiring specialized support, GMSD ensures that every student thrives. The district’s graduates consistently achieve top honors, including National Merit Finalist and Presidential Scholar recognitions, with the Class of 2024 earning a record-breaking $56 million in scholarship offers. GMSD is extremely proud of its three year district ACT average--24.5. Our students are prepared for what comes next.
For two consecutive years, our results on year-end assessments place us at the forefront of early literacy in Tennessee-with our 3rd-8th graders ranking top in the state on the number of proficient students on state assessments. In 2024, elementary and middle school math scores also secured the #1 ranking in the state, setting students on a path to success from an early age.
Excellent Supports
Each school in GMSD is dedicated to fostering a welcoming and inclusive educational environment for all students. Our Exceptional Student Services department meets students where they are in their educational journey from the very beginning. The district's four elementary schools offer preschool programs taught by teachers dual-endorsed in general and special education, where both typical students and students with disabilities develop critical foundational skills for their next steps. This support continues through age 22 with specialized programming, including the Transition Academy, which helps students and families navigate post-secondary transitions. For students in general education, GMSD provides high-impact tutoring, reading and math coaches, interventionists, and professional training for teachers in gold-standard reading and math instruction.
Excellent Teaching Staff
Germantown Municipal School District’s exceptional staff is the backbone of its success, with 354 teachers providing a student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1—ensuring individualized attention in every classroom. The district boasts a teacher retention rate of 91.3%, surpassing the state average and reflecting a strong culture of support and stability. Beyond the classroom, 84 school service support personnel, including counselors, instructional coaches, and interventionists, address the academic and emotional needs of students.
Recognized as a Top Workplace by The Commercial Appeal for ten consecutive years, GMSD is proud to foster an environment where both students and staff thrive.
Excellent Programs
From preschool to high school, GMSD offers a rich array of programs, electives, and activities that allow students to explore their passions and discover their potential. Our elementary students can take part in unique opportunities, like orchestra, while high schoolers choose from 14 career-focused pathway classes, ranging from STEM to the healthcare, preparing them for bright futures. Over the past ten years, these programs have flourished as we encourage teachers to innovate and "dream big."
For intellectually gifted students, we provide advanced classes across all grade levels. At the elementary level, programs like the Envisions Project Expo challenge students to conduct in-depth research on a topic they choose and share their findings with the community—an incredible opportunity to develop critical thinking and presentation skills.
Germantown Municipal School District proudly provides 28 Advanced Placement Courses, 17 Dual Enrollment Courses worth a total of 94 hours of college credit, and 3 Statewide Dual Credit courses. The Innovative School Model Grant has enabled us to expand career clusters (Health, Human, & Life Sciences, Applied Technologies, and Business & Marketing) that focus on meeting regional industry needs, increasing the skill level of all GMSD students, and working with community and industry partners. Each CTE pathway consists of high wage, high demand, and high skill programs of study with the potential to earn either post-secondary credits or industry certifications, as well as work-based learning opportunities.
In addition to these offerings, we are proud of our high school academies: The Honors Academy and The Leadership Academy. These academies welcome students from all over Shelby County, providing specialized pathways for those seeking excellence in academics, fine arts, and service leadership development.
Inspiring Creativity
Germantown Municipal School District’s fine arts programs are a hallmark of excellence, consistently producing the highest numbers of All-West and All-State performers in the region. From award-winning theater productions, including the 2022-2023 High School Musical Theater Awards’ Best Overall Production, to orchestra opportunities beginning in elementary school, GMSD cultivates artistic talent at every level. Students have graced some of the world’s most prestigious stages, performing at venues such as The Orpheum Theatre, Carnegie Hall, Vatican City, St. Peter's Basilica, the USS Missouri, and Walt Disney World. GMSD’s cutting-edge TV/Film pathway provides students hands-on experience in an industry-standard studio used by all schools, preparing them for success in media production while fueling their creativity.
Inspiring Champions
GMSD athletics currently holds 108 state championships. We offer 30 different sports, and of those sports, we have been nationally recognized in boys and girls soccer, boys and girls basketball, baseball, cheer, and pom. We offer full athletic programming beginning at the middle school level creating a pipeline to championships at the high school. Our elementary students have the opportunity to compete in cross country clubs and, new in 2025, a lacrosse league.
Inspired Facilities
With an investment of $104 million, GMSD has transformed its schools through award-winning designs recognized locally and nationally for their innovative use of natural light and forward-thinking layouts.
These enhancements include new classrooms, STEM labs, arts spaces, and athletics facilities, all designed with energy efficiency and flexibility in mind. Teachers can now reconfigure classrooms to support hands-on activities such as robotics, coding, science experiments, and art projects.
Looking to the future, the Houston High School Master Plan represents the next phase of innovation. This ambitious project will feature a two-story classroom wing with STEM labs, CTE program spaces, visual arts studios, orchestra practice rooms, theater production facilities, a new varsity gym, expanded locker rooms, and comprehensive upgrades to existing spaces—ensuring our students thrive in an environment built for excellence.
As we embark on our next era, we want you to join us. If you are new to the GMSD family, we are excited to have you here. If you are an alumni, we invite you to join our Houston High School Alumni Foundation. We are all proud to be GMSD, and we continue to focus on what really matters - our children.