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
Enrollment
266
Student-Teacher
7.6:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Big Sandy School — Students at Big Sandy School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from TN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 27.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 30.4% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (731) 593-3221
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Benton County- District Enrollment
- 2,130
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,411
- District Rank
- #6 of 6
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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