Merrol Hyde Magnet School

MHMS was established in 2003 on the former campus of Knox Doss Middle School, next to Hendersonville Medical Center. The school is named after Merrol N. Hyde, a local resident and Sumner County Commissioner. The school served grades 5–9 in its first school year. The second school year, 2004–05, the school had students in grades K–10 with the addition of a new elementary wing. The 2005–06 school year served grades K–11. The 2006–07 school year brought the first ever graduating class of MHMS. There were 57 college-bound graduates in the class of 2007. In 2013, Vice Principal Betty Hunter was replaced by Jason Bennett. Principal Brad Schreiner was replaced in 2014 by Todd Stinson. Darren Frank has served as the principal since 2016.[5] Merrol Hyde also holds the record for most Brawl Stars wins in America as a school.

On May 9, 2018, a chemical flash fire injured seventeen students and a teacher. The fire was caused by a reaction between borax and ethanol. Eight students and the teacher were treated in local hospitals, but no critical injuries were reported. Two separate lawsuits were filed against the school district, citing negligence.[6][7]

In April 2020, Merrol Hyde was ranked third in the nation on an academic basis by US News.[1] This was its highest rank-based achievement to date.

Admittance to the school is selective.[8] Once an application is submitted, the prospective student is administered a standardized test. In order to gain entry into the school, the student must score in at least the 85th percentile. After this, the student is placed on a waiting list. People with siblings at the school are accepted first. Students on the waiting list may be admitted during the year if another student leaves.

Merrol Hyde is dedicated to helping its students grow through the Paideia philosophy. In the school's first twelve graduating classes, it has had multiple students obtain perfect ACT scores, and finalist status in academic programs such as the National Merit Scholarship Program and the Presidential Scholars Program. Merrol Hyde students have been admitted to Yale University, Princeton University, Vanderbilt University, Duke University, Emory University, Georgetown University, and Tulane University, among others. The school has also produced several nationally ranked BEST Robotics, DECA, quiz bowl, and history bowl teams. Each year, the school participates in the Model United Nations and Tennessee Youth in Government youth civic engagement programs.

TSSAA sports include track, cross country, golf, tennis, soccer, football (varsity joins with Station Camp High School), basketball, swimming, volleyball, bowling. The school also offers archery, cheer-leading, dance team, cycling, and a personal fitness club.[10] Each student in grades 7-12 is required to participate in a sport each year.[10][11]

Apart from other Sumner County Schools, Merrol Hyde Magnet School adheres to a strict dress code. Grades K–12 must wear specific style numbers of a very limited selection of garments from Lands' End, French Toast, or Parker School Uniforms.[12] Logo hoodies, athletic wear, and pullovers may only be purchased from the "Hawk Shop." No non-dress code outerwear may be worn in the building during the day.[13] Girls may not wear skirts that end more than 3 inches from the bend in the back of the knee. Other elements of the dress code include a requirement of belts, a ban on shoes without backs, etc.[14][15]

• Sumner County Schools
• Exceptional education
• Magnet Schools of America
• Public education
• Selective school

• Official website