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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.9Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.02 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Math vs. State Avg-5.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.8 pts
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-10.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,034

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 →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.1%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 34.7%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 8 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
32%
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: 1.9/10.

How Forks River Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.6/10
4th percentile in TN
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
1.9/10
Below average
Environment
5.7/10
Above average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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