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Average

#1158 of 1,785 schools in TN

Big Sandy School

School · Benton County

13305 Highway 69 A, Big Sandy, TN 38221

Enrollment

266

Student-Teacher

7.6:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#57 of 84

In district

#6 of 6

Benton County

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Big Sandy School

Big Sandy School serves 266 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Benton County, Tennessee, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranking #40 out of 1,796 Tennessee schools, the school places in the 98th percentile statewide—an impressive achievement for a rural institution. The school's standout feature is its remarkably low student-teacher ratio of 7.6 to 1, supported by 35 full-time equivalent teachers.

This intimate learning environment allows for individualized attention and strong relationships between educators and students, which likely contributes to the school's exceptional performance ranking. Located on Highway 69A, Big Sandy School serves a close-knit rural community where the median household income is $50,208 and median home value is $104,300. The surrounding ZIP code has a population of 3,042, with 9% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 18.5%.

Despite economic challenges that often face rural communities, the school has clearly found ways to excel academically. Big Sandy School operates in Tennessee's remote rural landscape, providing quality education to students in a setting where small class sizes and community connections create a supportive learning environment.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.6:1, Big Sandy School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Big Sandy School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.34 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30.4%
Math vs. State Avg-11.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.4 pts
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College Readiness4.3Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,334

Big Sandy School — Students at Big Sandy School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 28.9%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 28.1%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 8 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2025
Math
27.8%
ELA
30.4%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.0/10.

How Big Sandy School Compares

See how Big Sandy School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
35th percentile in TN
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Location

13305 Highway 69 A, Big Sandy, TN 38221

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Big Sandy School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Dorothy And Noble Harrelson School (rated 9.1/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Puryear), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lakewood Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Buchanan), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Paris Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Paris), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Big Sandy, see our Big Sandy schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Camden Central High School Camden 10.8 mi 6.4
Camden Jr High School Camden 10.9 mi 6.2
Camden Elementary Camden 11.0 mi 7.0
Briarwood School Camden 11.1 mi 6.0
CAMDEN UNITED CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Camden 12.0 mi
Lakewood Elementary Buchanan 11.6 mi 8.5
WESTON CLASSICAL SCHOOL Paris 12.4 mi
W G Rhea Elementary Paris 12.5 mi 6.5
Henry Co High School Paris 12.5 mi 6.0
Paris Elementary Paris 12.9 mi 8.3
E. W. Grove School Paris 14.2 mi 7.4
Lakeview Elementary New Johnsonville 16.7 mi 4.2
W O Inman Middle School Paris 14.5 mi 8.1
Central Elementary Bruceton 16.6 mi 7.6
Central High School Bruceton 16.6 mi 6.2
LAKESIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Paris 15.7 mi
Waverly Central High School Waverly 16.6 mi 6.3
Dorothy And Noble Harrelson School Puryear 19.5 mi 9.1
Tennessee Ridge Elementary Tenn Ridge 18.4 mi 6.8
Henry Elementary Henry 18.2 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38221 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,109

Median Home Value

$118,600

Median Rent

$661/mo

Population

3,046

College Educated

10.1%

Homeownership

69.1%

Avg Commute

33.9 min

Poverty Rate

18.6%

Median Age

53.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Big Sandy School has a median household income of $52,109. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $118,600, with a median rent of $661/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.6%. The average commute for residents is 34 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Maryville, TN 5.6
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS White House, TN 5.5
HIGHLAND RIM ACADEMY Cookeville, TN 5.5
JONATHAN EDWARDS CLASSICAL ACADEMY Whites Creek, TN 5.7
TIPTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Covington, TN 5.4
LANCASTER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Smyrna, TN 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Big Sandy School

What grades does Big Sandy School serve?

Big Sandy School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Big Sandy School?

Big Sandy School has an enrollment of approximately 266 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Big Sandy School?

The student-teacher ratio at Big Sandy School is 7.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Big Sandy School rank in TN?

Big Sandy School is ranked #1158 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is Big Sandy School's MySchoolScout rating?

Big Sandy School has a composite rating of 5.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Big Sandy School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Big Sandy School has 28.9% math proficiency and 28.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Big Sandy School a charter school?

No, Big Sandy School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Big Sandy School a Title I school?

No, Big Sandy School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (696/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
266
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Benton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Benton County
District Enrollment
2,130
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,411
District Rank
#6 of 6

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

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