When our students leave the eighth grade, we want them to have the necessary skills they will need in order to excel in high school. The 2003 TVASS scores show just that. Last years eighth grade test scores were among the BEST in the state.
97.3% of our eighth grade students tested as proficient in math with 45.3% scoring as advanced. 90% of our students with disabilities scored proficient. In reading 92.4% of our eighth graders were proficient with 32% scoring as advanced.
The state of Tennessee uses Value Added Assessment to measure progress. In this system, schools are expected to make at least 100% gain in all subject areas. A three-year average of these scores are used to assign schools a "letter grade" in each subject area. NSE has received the following value added report card grades:
| Math | A |
| Reading | B |
| Language | B |
| Science | B |
| Social Studies | B |
| 4th & 5th Writing | B |
| 7th & 8th Writing | A |
The 2003 value added percentages for NSE are as follows: (keep in mind, the state expects 100% gain)
| Math | 147.8% Gain | A |
| Reading | 132.5% Gain | A |
| Language | 113.7% Gain | B |
| Social Studies | 105.5% Gain | B |
| Science | 115.1% Gain | A |
| Writing 4th-5th | No Data Available | B |
| Writing 7th-8th | No Data Available | A |