Very Good
#359 of 1,785 schools in TN
Top 20% in state
Central Elementary
Elementary School · Carter County
252 Taylor RD, Johnson City, TN 37601
Enrollment
261
Student-Teacher
10.4:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
261
Student-Teacher
10.4:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Johnson City
#8 of 16
public schools
Tennessee elementary schools
#266 of 1,002
In district
#2 of 15
Carter County
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Central Elementary
Central Elementary serves 261 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Johnson City, Tennessee. This regular public school has earned impressive recognition, ranking #49 out of 1,796 schools statewide and placing in the 97th percentile — a testament to its strong educational program. With 25 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 10.4:1, allowing for more individualized attention and support.
The school's MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student success across its broad grade range, which is unusual for an elementary school as it extends through eighth grade. This configuration allows students to build lasting relationships with teachers and peers while maintaining continuity in their educational experience. Central Elementary draws from a diverse community in Carter County, where the median household income is $47,633 and about one-third of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding ZIP code area is home to over 38,000 residents, with median home values around $179,500. Located on Taylor Road in this mid-size suburban setting, Central Elementary serves families in an established Tennessee community that balances small-town character with suburban amenities.
Score Breakdown
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Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.1/10.
How Central Elementary Compares
See how Central Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 30.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 33.7% (2025).
Location
252 Taylor RD, Johnson City, TN 37601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Side Elementary (rated 9.7/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mountain View Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 2.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Harold McCormick Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Elizabethton), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Johnson City, see our Johnson City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Happy Valley Elementary Johnson City | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Happy Valley High School Elizabethton | 1.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Happy Valley Middle School Elizabethton | 1.3 mi | 6.1 |
| West Side Elementary Elizabethton | 2.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Mountain View Elementary Johnson City | 2.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Elizabethton High School Elizabethton | 2.8 mi | 7.2 |
| EAST TN CHRISTIAN HOME & ACADEMY Elizabethton | 3.0 mi | — |
| ASHLEY ACADEMY Johnson City | 3.4 mi | 6.8 |
| T A Dugger Junior High School Elizabethton | 3.4 mi | 6.5 |
| MUNSEY KINDERGARTEN Johnson City | 3.6 mi | — |
| MUNSEY PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Johnson City | 3.6 mi | — |
| ST MARY'S SCHOOL Johnson City | 3.7 mi | 7.1 |
| CENTRAL BAPTIST PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN Johnson City | 3.8 mi | — |
| North Side Elementary Johnson City | 4.0 mi | 9.7 |
| South Side Elementary Johnson City | 4.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Fairmont Elementary Johnson City | 4.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Harold McCormick Elementary Elizabethton | 4.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Siam Learning Center Elizabethton | 4.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Carter County Online Academy Elizabethton | 4.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Science Hill High School Johnson City | 4.6 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 37601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$49,658
Median Home Value
$187,000
Median Rent
$892/mo
Population
38,622
College Educated
32.5%
Homeownership
54.3%
Avg Commute
19.4 min
Poverty Rate
21%
Median Age
38.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Elementary has a median household income of $49,658. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $187,000, with a median rent of $892/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Barger Academy of Fine Arts Chattanooga, TN | 7.7 |
| Harold McCormick Elementary Elizabethton, TN | 7.7 |
| Jellico Elementary Jellico, TN | 7.7 |
| South Clinton Elementary Clinton, TN | 7.7 |
| South Haven Elementary Lexington, TN | 7.7 |
| WOODLAND PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOL Memphis, TN | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Elementary
What grades does Central Elementary serve?
Central Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Central Elementary?
Central Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 261 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 10.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Elementary rank in TN?
Central Elementary is ranked #359 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Central Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary has 21.4% math proficiency and 24.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Elementary a charter school?
No, Central Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Elementary a Title I school?
No, Central Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Johnson City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 261
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Carter County
- Phone
- (423) 547-4045
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Carter County- District Enrollment
- 4,630
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,526
- District Rank
- #2 of 15
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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