Best Schools in Knoxville, TN — 2026 Rankings
Knoxville, TN has 82 ranked schools. Tennessee School For Deaf Elementary School leads with a 7.5/10 rating. See the full 2026 rankings.
Serving approximately 55,088 students across 82 schools, Knoxville’s education system is one of the most significant in Tennessee. We ranked every school using standardized test data, class sizes, and demographic equity to help you make an informed decision.
Knoxville at a Glance
- Total Schools: 82
- Total Students: 55,088
- City Average Score: 5.6/10
- Top School Score: 7.5/10
- Average Student-Teacher Ratio: 14.7:1
- School Types: 49 Elementary, 15 Middle, 16 High, 1 K-12 / Other
- Charter Schools: 1
Top 10 Schools in Knoxville
| Rank | School | Level | Score | Enrollment | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tennessee School For Deaf Elementary School | Elementary | 7.5 | 42 | 4.2:1 |
| 2 | Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School | High | 7.5 | 63 | 3.3:1 |
| 3 | Richard Yoakley School | High | 7.5 | 105 | 5.5:1 |
| 4 | Gap Creek Elementary | Elementary | 7.5 | 76 | 7.6:1 |
| 5 | Mt Olive Elementary | Elementary | 7.5 | 227 | 11.3:1 |
| 6 | Austin East High/Magnet | High | 7.5 | 666 | 10.4:1 |
| 7 | Knox Adaptive Education Center | K-12 / Other | 7.5 | 41 | 3.7:1 |
| 8 | Maynard Elementary | Elementary | 7.5 | 124 | 6.9:1 |
| 9 | Pleasant Ridge Elementary | Elementary | 7.5 | 297 | 11.9:1 |
| 10 | Ridgedale Alternative School | High | 7.5 | 75 | 3.3:1 |
About Tennessee School For Deaf Elementary School
Tennessee School For Deaf Elementary School leads our Knoxville rankings with a composite score of 7.5 out of 10. The school stands out for a supportive school environment (9.4/10). As a elementary school serving 42 students with a student-teacher ratio of 4.2:1, it offers a competitive learning environment.
Score Breakdown: How Knoxville’s Top Schools Compare
The gap between the top-ranked and third-ranked school in Knoxville is narrow, meaning families have several equally strong options. Our composite score weighs four factors: academic performance (test scores), student growth over time, equity (how well the school serves all student groups), and environment (class size, teacher ratios, and resources).
Choosing the Right School in Knoxville
The best school for your family depends on more than a number. Consider your child’s learning style, the school’s approach to instruction, extracurricular offerings, and practical factors like transportation and before/after care.
Our rankings identify the schools with the strongest measurable outcomes — use them as a foundation for your research, not a replacement for it.
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