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Very Good

#469 of 1,785 schools in TN

Top 26% in state

Gary Hardin Academy

High School · Sevier County

2540 Boyds Creek RD, Sevierville, TN 37876

Enrollment

90

Student-Teacher

7.5:1

Score

7.5

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sevierville

#5 of 11

public schools

Tennessee high schools

#64 of 361

In district

#9 of 27

Sevier County

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Gary Hardin Academy

Gary Hardin Academy serves 90 students in grades 6-12 as a public high school in Sevierville, Tennessee. This small school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 7.5:1 with 12 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and close student-teacher relationships that many larger schools cannot provide. The academy has earned strong recognition statewide, ranking #200 out of 1,796 Tennessee schools and placing in the 89th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10.

This impressive performance demonstrates the school's commitment to educational excellence despite its modest size. Located on Boyds Creek Road, Gary Hardin Academy serves a community where the median household income is $56,957 and median home values reach $243,200. About one in five residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 12.7% in this ZIP code of over 32,000 residents.

The school's intimate environment fosters strong connections between students and staff, creating opportunities for individualized learning approaches and mentorship. Gary Hardin Academy operates in Sevier County's rural setting, providing students with a close-knit educational experience in the scenic foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains region of East Tennessee.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 90 students, Gary Hardin Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Gary Hardin Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.5:1, Gary Hardin Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.56 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics3.7Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.1%
Reading vs. State Avg-16.7 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-19.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College Readiness7.9Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,077

Gary Hardin Academy — Students at Gary Hardin Academy score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

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 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 13.0%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 5 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
5%
2025
ELA
24.1%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How Gary Hardin Academy Compares

See how Gary Hardin Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
74th percentile in TN
Academic
3.7/10
3.7/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Location

2540 Boyds Creek RD, Sevierville, TN 37876

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gary Hardin Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Seymour High School (rated 8.7/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Seymour), which scores notably higher. Another option is Carter High School (rated 6.3/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Strawberry Plains), a more accessible option. Additionally, Northview Senior Academy (rated 4.6/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Kodak), a more accessible option. For more schools in Sevierville, see our Sevierville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Boyds Creek Elementary School Sevierville 0.8 mi 9.0
Northview Intermediate School Kodak 3.7 mi 6.7
Northview Primary Kodak 3.8 mi 4.4
Seymour Intermediate Seymour 4.9 mi 6.2
Seymour High School Seymour 4.9 mi 8.7
Seymour Primary Seymour 5.0 mi 8.4
Seymour Junior High Seymour 5.0 mi 6.2
Northview Senior Academy Kodak 5.0 mi 4.6
THE KING'S ACADEMY Seymour 5.3 mi 6.7
Northview Junior Academy Kodak 5.1 mi 5.5
Catlettsburg Elementary School Sevierville 5.2 mi 8.0
Gap Creek Elementary Knoxville 5.4 mi 9.4
SEYMOUR COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Seymour 6.3 mi 4.5
Carter Middle School Strawberry Plains 7.7 mi 4.7
Carter High School Strawberry Plains 7.8 mi 6.3
ALPHA EDUCATIONAL LEARNING CENTER Sevierville 7.1 mi
Parkway Academy Sevierville 7.2 mi
Sevierville Intermediate Sevierville 7.4 mi 5.8
Carter Elementary Knoxville 8.1 mi 5.8
T Lawson Early Childhood Education Center Sevierville 7.4 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 37876 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,513

Median Home Value

$257,800

Median Rent

$997/mo

Population

32,964

College Educated

21.9%

Homeownership

77.6%

Avg Commute

27.4 min

Poverty Rate

13.8%

Median Age

47.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gary Hardin Academy has a median household income of $58,513. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $257,800, with a median rent of $997/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.8%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Johnson Alternative Learning Center Nashville, TN 7.5
MADISON ACADEMY Madison, TN 7.6
The Academy at Hickory Hollow Antioch, TN 7.4
W.A. Bass Alternative Learning Center Nashville, TN 7.7
MORRIS WILSON CAMPUS SCHOOL Arlington, TN 7.2
NATCHEZ TRACE YOUTH ACADEMY Waverly, TN 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gary Hardin Academy

What grades does Gary Hardin Academy serve?

Gary Hardin Academy serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Gary Hardin Academy?

Gary Hardin Academy has an enrollment of approximately 90 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gary Hardin Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Gary Hardin Academy is 7.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gary Hardin Academy rank in TN?

Gary Hardin Academy is ranked #469 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is Gary Hardin Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Gary Hardin Academy has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Gary Hardin Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gary Hardin Academy has 25.0% math proficiency and 13.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gary Hardin Academy a charter school?

No, Gary Hardin Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Gary Hardin Academy a Title I school?

No, Gary Hardin Academy is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
16 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
18 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,616/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sevierville). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
90
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Sevier County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Sevier County
District Enrollment
14,435
Schools in District
33
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,911
District Rank
#9 of 27

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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