Best Schools in Knoxville, Tennessee
116 schools · 70 Elementary · 16 Middle · 16 High · 14 Other
Choosing a school in Knoxville?
Use this page to compare every school in Knoxville by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
South Knox Elementary
Elementary · Knox County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Blue Grass Elementary
Elementary · Knox County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Bearden Elementary
Elementary · Knox County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Knoxville for 2026 are South Knox Elementary (8.7/10), Blue Grass Elementary (8.5/10), and Bearden Elementary (8.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 50 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
116
82 public · 34 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$306,322
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
116
82 public · 34 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$306,322
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Knoxville
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (50 of 116). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Knox Elementary | 8.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Blue Grass Elementary | 8.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Bearden Elementary | 8.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Sequoyah Elementary | 8.4 / 10 |
| 5 | New Hopewell Elementary | 8.3 / 10 |
| 6 | Shannondale Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Northshore Elementary School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Beaumont Elementary/magnet | 8.1 / 10 |
| 9 | Rocky Hill Elementary | 8.1 / 10 |
| 10 | Hardin Valley Elementary | 8.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.1/10
- Median household income
- $69,902
- Median home value
- $306,322
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 40%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 58%
29% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Knoxville compares
Tennessee rank
#124 of 182
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.3
below Tennessee avg (6.4)
Median household income
$70k
108% of Tennessee median
Schools in this city
102
Education Snapshot
Knoxville, TennesseeKnoxville's 116 schools spread across 3 districts serve approximately 61,663 students, with the mix weighted heavily toward elementary: 70 schools at the elementary level versus 16 middle and 16 high schools. Composite ratings average 6.0/10 across 102 scored schools—0.4 points below Tennessee's state average of 6.4/10—a notable gap given a city where median household income reaches $76,142, 7% above the state median of $71,041. With 42% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher, the city's education-attainment profile outpaces the statewide norm, yet school ratings still trail the state. Only 1 charter school operates within city limits, leaving district schools to carry nearly all enrollment. Families face a below-average ratings baseline despite favorable economic conditions, making granular school-by-school comparison the more reliable guide than any city-level assumption.
About Schools in Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee gives families access to a broad public school system with 82 ranked schools spanning elementary through high school. Performance across the city varies considerably, making school selection a meaningful decision. The average school score sits at 6.2 out of 10, but 24 schools — nearly 29% of the ranked total — score 7 or higher, signaling a solid tier of strong options for families who do the research.
The elementary level shows the clearest concentration of high performers. Gap Creek Elementary leads the city with a 9.4 out of 10, placing it among the strongest schools in the region. Pleasant Ridge Elementary and South Knox Elementary both score 9.0, while Bonny Kate Elementary (8.6) and New Hopewell Elementary (8.5) round out a competitive top five. Parents targeting elementary-age children will find genuine standout choices, though these schools are not uniformly distributed across the city — location and zoning matter.
Knox County Schools serves the bulk of Knoxville families and operates the largest share of ranked schools in the area. The district includes both urban and suburban campuses, so school quality can shift noticeably from one zip code to the next. The gap between the city average of 6.2 and the top scorers in the 9s illustrates how much neighborhood context shapes a child's assigned school. Families with flexibility in where they live should treat school scores as a serious factor alongside housing decisions.
Practically speaking, parents comparing Knoxville schools should start by identifying which schools their address zones them into, then check whether higher-scoring alternatives are accessible through open enrollment or magnet options. The 29% of schools scoring 7 or above means competitive options exist, but they are not automatic — they require active searching. Use scores as a starting point, then dig into test proficiency data, grade-level enrollment, and any specialized programs a school offers. Knoxville rewards parents who look closely; the spread between the average and the top performers is wide enough that school choice here carries real weight.
Elementary Schools
70 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 189 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.7 |
| 2 | 589 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.5 |
| 3 | 387 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.5 |
| 4 | 507 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.4 |
| 5 | 257 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.3 |
| 6 | 365 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 |
| 7 | 1,101 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.2 |
| 8 | 539 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 |
| 9 | 725 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 |
| 10 | 1,211 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.1 |
Show all 70 elementary schools in Knoxville
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
16 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,400 students · 6th–8th | 7.7 |
| 2 | 1,017 students · 6th–8th | 7.7 |
| 3 | 1,107 students · 6th–8th | 6.4 |
| 4 | 614 students · 6th–8th | 6.4 |
| 5 | 1,243 students · 6th–8th | 5.6 |
| 6 | 799 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 |
| 7 | 467 students · 6th–8th | 5.1 |
| 8 | 996 students · 6th–8th | 4.7 |
| 9 | 393 students · 6th–8th | 4.7 |
| 10 | 808 students · 6th–8th | 4.6 |
Show all 16 middle schools in Knoxville
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
High Schools
16 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 347 students · 9th–12th | 7.6 |
| 2 | 581 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
| 3 | 63 students · 7th–12th | 7.1 |
| 4 | 72 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
| 5 | 2,091 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 |
| 6 | 1,509 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 |
| 7 | 105 students · 6th–12th | 5.6 |
| 8 | 2,008 students · 9th–12th | 5.5 |
| 9 | 2,043 students · 9th–12th | 5.5 |
| 10 | 1,341 students · 9th–12th | 4.8 |
Show all 16 high schools in Knoxville
Other Schools
14 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 41 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.5 | ||
| 2 | 135 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 3.4 | ||
| Private Schools 12 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Berean Christian School
Private
410 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.2 | ||
| 2 | Cumberland Christian Academy
Private
492 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.4 | ||
| 3 | Knoxville Christian School
Private
169 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.3 | ||
| 4 | Concord Christian School
Private
647 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.0 | ||
| 5 | Apostolic Christian School
Private
210 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.0 | ||
| 6 | Webb School of Knoxville
Private
1,060 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | Grace Christian Academy
Private
796 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.2 | ||
| 8 | Rivers Edge Christian Academy
Private
522 students · Pre-K–12th | 3.4 | ||
Show all 14 other schools in Knoxville
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Knoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee · 116 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 18 ZIP codes
Median Income
$69,902
Median Home Value
$306,322
Median Rent
$1,207/mo
Population
442,846
College Educated
40%
Homeownership
58%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
16.9%
Community Profile
Knoxville has a median household income of $69,902. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $306,322, with a median rent of $1,207/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.9%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Tennessee
- Elementary
- 70
- Middle
- 16
- High
- 16
- Other
- 14
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Tennessee
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Knoxville, Tennessee
How many schools are in Knoxville, Tennessee?
Knoxville has 116 schools, including 82 public and 34 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Knoxville, Tennessee?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Knoxville is 6.1 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Knoxville, Tennessee?
The top-ranked school in Knoxville on MySchoolScout is South Knox Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Knoxville, Tennessee?
The top-ranked elementary school in Knoxville on MySchoolScout is South Knox Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Knoxville, Tennessee?
The top-ranked middle school in Knoxville on MySchoolScout is Farragut Middle School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best high school in Knoxville, Tennessee?
The top-ranked high school in Knoxville on MySchoolScout is Career Magnet Academy with a composite score of 7.6/10.
How many school districts serve Knoxville, Tennessee?
Knoxville is served by 3 school districts: Tennessee Schools for the Deaf, Knox County, Union County.
What is the education level in Knoxville, Tennessee?
According to Census data, 40% of adults in Knoxville have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Knoxville, Tennessee?
The median household income in Knoxville is approximately $69,902 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Knoxville, Tennessee?
Yes, Knoxville has 34 private schools alongside 82 public schools. The top-rated private school is The Episcopal School of Knoxville with a score of 8.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Knoxville, Tennessee?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Knoxville is 13.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Knoxville, Tennessee?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Tennessee Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.