Average
#724 of 1,786 schools in TN
Top 41% in state
Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy
High School · Knox County
535 Chickamauga Avenue AVE, Knoxville, TN 37917
Enrollment
72
Student-Teacher
7.2:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
72
Student-Teacher
7.2:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Tennessee schools
#724 of 1,786
In Knoxville
#27 of 82
public schools
In district
#27 of 88
Knox County
School environment
8.6 / 10
Excellent
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Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy
High School in Knoxville · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Christenberry Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Tennessee Virtual Academy
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy
Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy is a public high school in Knoxville, TN, part of Knox County.
Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy serves approximately 72 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 7.2:1 student-teacher ratio.
Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #724 of 1,786 schools in TN.
Structured state assessment records for Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy show 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2015).
- This school 6.9 · Average
- District avg 5.2
- TN avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
At 72 students, Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Test scores at Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
At 7.2:1 students to teachers, Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy — Students at Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from TN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.8/10.
How Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy Compares
See how Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
535 Chickamauga Avenue AVE, Knoxville, TN 37917
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. L N STEM Academy (rated 7.2/10, 2.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Fulton High School (rated 3.7/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Knoxville, see our Knoxville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Christenberry Elementary Knoxville | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Tennessee Virtual Academy Knoxville | 0.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Tennessee Virtual Junior High School Knoxville | 0.9 mi | 2.6 |
| Fulton High School Knoxville | 0.9 mi | 3.7 |
| FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Knoxville | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Inskip Elementary Knoxville | 1.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Lonsdale Elementary Knoxville | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Beaumont Elementary/Magnet Knoxville | 1.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Belle Morris Elementary Knoxville | 1.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Whittle Springs Middle School Knoxville | 1.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Maynard Elementary Knoxville | 2.2 mi | 4.3 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Knoxville | 2.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Emerald Academy Knoxville | 2.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Sterchi Elementary Knoxville | 2.3 mi | 5.0 |
| L N STEM Academy Knoxville | 2.6 mi | 7.2 |
| West View Elementary Knoxville | 2.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Gresham Middle School Knoxville | 2.7 mi | 4.3 |
| SMART KIDS ELC Knoxville | 2.4 mi | — |
| Fountain City Elementary Knoxville | 2.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Green Magnet Math And Science Academy Knoxville | 2.6 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 37917 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,232
Median Home Value
$189,100
Median Rent
$1,063/mo
Population
25,738
College Educated
31.3%
Homeownership
48.1%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
19.3%
Median Age
39.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CONCORD ACADEMY Memphis, TN | 7.1 |
| Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School Knoxville, TN | 7.1 |
| MORRIS WILSON CAMPUS SCHOOL Arlington, TN | 7.2 |
| E B Wilson Gallatin, TN | 6.6 |
| WAYNE ACADEMY DAVIDSON COUNTY Nashville, TN | 6.5 |
| Gary Hardin Academy Sevierville, TN | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy
What grades does Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy serve?
Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy?
Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy has an enrollment of approximately 72 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy is 7.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy rank in TN?
Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy ranks #724 of 1,786 schools in TN.
What is Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy has 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2015).
Is Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy a charter school?
No, Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy a Title I school?
No, Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy is not currently a Title I school.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 72
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Knox County
- Phone
- (865) 525-0069
- 4-Year Graduation
- 87.0%
Resources & Links
District
Knox County- District Enrollment
- 60,604
- Schools in District
- 94
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,187
- District Rank
- #27 of 88
Other Schools in This District
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