Needs Improvement
#1710 of 1,785 schools in TN
Forks River Elementary
Elementary School · Smith County
611 Cookeville HWY, Elmwood, TN 38560
Enrollment
220
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
220
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Tennessee elementary schools
#961 of 1,002
In district
#9 of 9
Smith County
About Forks River Elementary
Forks River Elementary is a regular public school nestled in the rural area of Elmwood, Tennessee. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, making it a small but comprehensive K-8 institution. With an enrollment of 220 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1, Forks River Elementary offers personalized attention to each child's learning needs.
The academic performance at Forks River Elementary reflects areas where the school is focusing on growth. According to MySchoolScout data, the school ranks in the 18th percentile among Tennessee schools, with an overall rating of 3.4 out of 10 and a specific academic score of 4.3 out of 10. In core subjects like ELA/Reading (35% proficiency), Math (39%), Science (38%), and Social Studies (52%), the school is demonstrating that there are opportunities for improvement, particularly in literacy and science.
Despite its challenges, Forks River Elementary provides a supportive environment where students receive individualized care from dedicated teachers. The school's remote location contributes to its unique character and sense of community, fostering close relationships between families and educators.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Forks River 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.
Score Breakdown
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Forks River Elementary — Students at Forks River Elementary score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.9/10.
How Forks River Elementary Compares
See how Forks River Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 33.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 30% (2025).
Location
611 Cookeville HWY, Elmwood, TN 38560
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Forks River Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Defeated Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Carthage), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gainesboro Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Gainesboro), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cornerstone Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Baxter), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Elmwood, see our Elmwood schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gordonsville High School Gordonsville | 4.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Gordonsville Elementary School Gordonsville | 4.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Smith County Middle School Carthage | 4.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Carthage Elementary Carthage | 4.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Smith County High School Carthage | 5.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Defeated Elementary Carthage | 8.2 mi | 9.0 |
| New Middleton Elementary Gordonsville | 7.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Union Heights Elementary Carthage | 11.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Baxter Primary Baxter | 13.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Upperman High School Baxter | 13.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Cornerstone Elementary Baxter | 13.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Upperman Middle School Baxter | 13.6 mi | 7.3 |
| DeKalb West Elementary Liberty | 16.0 mi | 5.4 |
| CHANCE TRANSITIONAL SCHOOL Bloomington Springs | 13.7 mi | — |
| De Kalb County Adult High School Smithville | 16.9 mi | — |
| DeKalb Middle School Smithville | 17.0 mi | 4.4 |
| De Kalb County High School Smithville | 17.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Gainesboro Elementary Gainesboro | 14.9 mi | 8.9 |
| Northside Elementary Smithville | 17.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Jackson County High School Gainesboro | 16.5 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 38560 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,221
Median Home Value
$202,700
Median Rent
$783/mo
Population
1,639
College Educated
13.8%
Homeownership
68.4%
Avg Commute
47.6 min
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Median Age
33.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Forks River Elementary has a median household income of $65,221. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $202,700, with a median rent of $783/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. The average commute in the area is 48 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Rural Vale Elementary Tellico Plains, TN | 3.6 |
| Circles Of Success Learning Academy Memphis, TN | 3.7 |
| Doe Elementary Mountain City, TN | 3.5 |
| South Side Elementary Reagan, TN | 3.8 |
| Pine View Elementary Rockwood, TN | 3.9 |
| T Lawson Early Childhood Education Center Sevierville, TN | 3.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Forks River Elementary
What grades does Forks River Elementary serve?
Forks River Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Forks River Elementary?
Forks River Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 220 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Forks River Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Forks River Elementary is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Forks River Elementary rank in TN?
Forks River Elementary is ranked #1710 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is Forks River Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Forks River Elementary has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Forks River Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Forks River Elementary has 39.1% math proficiency and 34.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Forks River Elementary a charter school?
No, Forks River Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Forks River Elementary a Title I school?
No, Forks River Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (376/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 220
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Smith County
- Phone
- (615) 897-2676
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Smith County- District Enrollment
- 3,033
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,329
- District Rank
- #9 of 9
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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