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Average

#782 of 1,786 schools in TN

Top 44% in state

Forks River Elementary

Elementary School · Smith County

611 Cookeville HWY, Elmwood, TN 38560

Enrollment

220

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#782 of 1,786

In district

#4 of 9

Smith County

School environment

8.3 / 10

Excellent

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Forks River Elementary

6.8/10

Elementary School in Elmwood · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Gordonsville High School

6.3/10

4.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Gordonsville Elementary School

6.6/10

4.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Forks River Elementary

Forks River Elementary is a public elementary school in Elmwood, TN, part of Smith County. Forks River Elementary serves approximately 220 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Forks River Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #782 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for Forks River Elementary show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 7.2
  • TN avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

Forks River Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.84 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.0Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.3% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency30% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-5.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.8 pts
Overall Proficiency32% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected-11.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,329
Chronic Absenteeism4.5%

Forks River Elementary — Students at Forks River Elementary score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 46.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 42.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 TCAP)

Based on 30 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2010
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
45%
ELA
55%
2025
Math
33.3%
ELA
30%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Forks River Elementary Compares

See how Forks River Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
56th percentile in TN
Academic
5.0/10
Average
Growth
7.3/10
Very Good
Environment
8.3/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
4.5%

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. Gainesboro Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Gainesboro), which scores notably higher. Another option is Defeated Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Carthage), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cornerstone Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 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 6.3
Gordonsville Elementary School Gordonsville 4.6 mi 6.6
Smith County Middle School Carthage 4.4 mi 5.2
Carthage Elementary Carthage 4.7 mi 7.3
Smith County High School Carthage 5.1 mi 6.7
Defeated Elementary Carthage 8.2 mi 8.8
New Middleton Elementary Gordonsville 7.8 mi 7.5
Union Heights Elementary Carthage 11.0 mi 6.4
Baxter Primary Baxter 13.4 mi 5.7
Upperman High School Baxter 13.4 mi 4.8
Cornerstone Elementary Baxter 13.6 mi 8.5
Upperman Middle School Baxter 13.6 mi 5.3
DeKalb West Elementary Liberty 16.0 mi 6.9
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 5.0
De Kalb County High School Smithville 17.1 mi 4.2
Gainesboro Elementary Gainesboro 14.9 mi 9.0
Northside Elementary Smithville 17.5 mi 6.6
Jackson County High School Gainesboro 16.5 mi 5.5

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bargerton Elementary Lexington, TN 6.8
Bethpage Elementary Bethpage, TN 6.8
Big Ridge Elementary Maynardville, TN 6.8
Compass Community School Binghampton Campus Memphis, TN 6.8
HOLY ROSARY ACADEMY Nashville, TN 6.8
Lobelville Elementary Lobelville, TN 6.8

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 ranks #782 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is Forks River Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Forks River Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Forks River Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Forks River Elementary has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
4.5%

District

Smith County
District Enrollment
3,033
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,329
District Rank
#4 of 9

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