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Very Good

#597 of 1,786 schools in TN

Top 33% in state

Big Sandy School

School · Benton County

13305 Highway 69 A, Big Sandy, TN 38221

Enrollment

266

Student-Teacher

7.6:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#597 of 1,786

In district

#3 of 6

Benton County

School environment

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Big Sandy School

7.2/10

School in Big Sandy · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Camden Central High School

5.8/10

10.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Camden JR High School

7.5/10

10.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Big Sandy School

Big Sandy School is a public school in Big Sandy, TN, part of Benton County. Big Sandy School serves approximately 266 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 7.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Big Sandy School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #597 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for Big Sandy School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.5
  • TN avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 7.6:1 students to teachers, Big Sandy School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Big Sandy School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.28 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.0Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37.5% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-14.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.3 pts
Overall Proficiency31% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)31% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected+0.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
College Readiness5.5Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate80%+
AP Participation6.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,411
Chronic Absenteeism16.5%

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

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 32.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 33.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 TCAP)

Based on 31 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
34%
ELA
35%
2010
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2011
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2015
ELA
30%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
25.3%
ELA
41.8%
2025
Math
25%
ELA
37.5%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How Big Sandy School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
67th percentile in TN
Academic
6.0/10
Average
Growth
8.7/10
Excellent
Environment
9.4/10
Excellent
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.4
Sports
3
2 boys' · 1 girls'
Advanced STEM
1/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
6.4% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics3sports offered
2 boys'·1 girls'·3 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses1 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 9.0/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Puryear), which scores notably higher. Another option is W O Inman Middle School (rated 8.2/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Paris), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Central Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Bruceton), which scores slightly 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 5.8
Camden Jr High School Camden 10.9 mi 7.5
Camden Elementary Camden 11.0 mi 7.4
Briarwood School Camden 11.1 mi 7.0
CAMDEN UNITED CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Camden 12.0 mi
Lakewood Elementary Buchanan 11.6 mi 6.6
WESTON CLASSICAL SCHOOL Paris 12.4 mi
W G Rhea Elementary Paris 12.5 mi 6.6
Henry Co High School Paris 12.5 mi 7.3
Paris Elementary Paris 12.9 mi 7.6
E. W. Grove School Paris 14.2 mi 4.2
Lakeview Elementary New Johnsonville 16.7 mi 5.8
W O Inman Middle School Paris 14.5 mi 8.2
Central Elementary Bruceton 16.6 mi 8.2
Central High School Bruceton 16.6 mi 6.8
LAKESIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Paris 15.7 mi
Waverly Central High School Waverly 16.6 mi 5.5
Dorothy And Noble Harrelson School Puryear 19.5 mi 9.0
Tennessee Ridge Elementary Tenn Ridge 18.4 mi 6.3
Henry Elementary Henry 18.2 mi 6.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Antioch, TN 7.3
MARGOLIN HEBREW ACADEMY Memphis, TN 7.5
Richard Hardy Memorial School South Pittsburg, TN 6.9
MARYVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Maryville, TN 6.8
AGATHOS CLASSICAL SCHOOL Columbia, TN 6.6
Frank Hughes School Clifton, TN 6.6

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 ranks #597 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is Big Sandy School's MySchoolScout rating?

Big Sandy School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Big Sandy School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Big Sandy School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.5%
4-Year Graduation
80%+

District

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

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