MLK includes grades 7–12, and students enter through a lottery process similar to the other magnet schools in Nashville.

After Pearl High moved numerous times, settling at 17th Avenue in the 1950s and eventually to its current location at Pearl Cohn Comprehensive High School, MLK Magnet, originally named Martin Luther King, Jr.

A gymnasium was added to the building in 1995, designed by the Nashville architectural firm of Street, Dixon, Rick.

[7] In addition, MLK offers the unique Practica program as well as advanced and dual enrollment courses along with a partnership with the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt University.

[9] In addition, the MLK Magnet Mock Trial team reached the State competition in 2009 and 2011.

[citation needed] First Lady Michelle Obama gave the commencement speech for Martin Luther King Jr.

They can also qualify if they have good map scores in May (with grades) Head middle and Rose Park have a direct pathway to MLK if requirements are met.