E K Baker Elementary

E K Baker Elementary serves 322 students from pre-K through 8th grade in Athens, Tennessee. The school earns a composite score of 9.0 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — with a 9.1 academic score and a standout 9.9 growth score. That growth number signals something concrete: students here are advancing at a rate that separates E K Baker from nearly every other school in the state.

The statewide data confirms it. E K Baker ranks #48 out of 1,785 public schools in Tennessee, outperforming 97% of schools statewide. Among elementary schools specifically, it places #43 of 1,002 — landing in the top 5% of the state's entire elementary tier.

Within Athens, the school holds the top spot out of the city's four public schools. E K Baker runs at a 14-to-1 student-teacher ratio across its 322-student population. It operates as a regular public school with no selective admission, so families in the district access this level of performance without an application or lottery.

For parents comparing elementary options, few schools in Tennessee combine high academic output and exceptional student growth the way E K Baker does — and fewer still do it while ranking first in their city.

Located in a rural area, E K Baker Elementary 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.