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Very Good

#332 of 1,785 schools in TN

Top 19% in state

Karns Elementary

Elementary School · Knox County

8108 Beaver Ridge RD, Knoxville, TN 37931

Enrollment

1,047

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Knoxville

#10 of 82

public schools

Tennessee elementary schools

#250 of 1,002

In district

#11 of 88

Knox County

Academic growth

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Karns Elementary

Karns Elementary serves 1,047 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Knoxville's Knox County. This regular public school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.6 to 1 with 67 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #1093 out of 1796 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 39th percentile among Tennessee schools.

While there's room for academic growth, the school serves a stable community with strong educational foundations. Karns Elementary sits in the 37931 ZIP code area, where families enjoy a median household income of $90,247 and median home values of $287,100. The community shows a solid commitment to education, with 45% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

The neighborhood maintains economic stability with a low poverty rate of just 6.4% among its 30,463 residents. As one of the larger elementary schools in the area, Karns Elementary provides educational services in a well-established suburban setting that offers families both convenience and community character. The school operates within a large suburban area that combines residential neighborhoods with access to broader Knoxville amenities and resources.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.1Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.46 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.1%
Math vs. State Avg+10.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.3 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected+0.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,538

Karns Elementary — Students at Karns Elementary score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

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 36.6%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 33.4%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 7 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
Math
36%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
24%
ELA
24%
2025
Math
49.7%
ELA
44.1%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How Karns Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
82th percentile in TN
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Location

8108 Beaver Ridge RD, Knoxville, TN 37931

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Karns Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Claxton Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Powell), with a very similar rating. Another option is THE EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF KNOXVILLE (rated 8.1/10, 5.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Amherst Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 2.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Knoxville, see our Knoxville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Karns Middle School Knoxville 0.2 mi 4.6
Karns High School Knoxville 1.3 mi 6.6
Ball Camp Elementary Knoxville 2.0 mi 6.8
GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Knoxville 2.0 mi 4.2
TATES SCHOOL Knoxville 2.9 mi 7.0
Cedar Bluff Middle School Knoxville 3.4 mi 4.7
Cedar Bluff Elementary Knoxville 3.5 mi 6.1
Amherst Elementary School Knoxville 2.9 mi 7.2
GRACE COVENANT BAPTIST ACADEMY Knoxville 3.7 mi
WEBB SCHOOL OF KNOXVILLE Knoxville 4.1 mi 5.5
Claxton Elementary Powell 4.3 mi 8.1
WEST END ACADEMY Knoxville 4.2 mi
CEDAR SPRINGS WEEKDAY SCHOOL Knoxville 5.1 mi
Powell Middle School Powell 4.5 mi 6.2
THE EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF KNOXVILLE Knoxville 5.2 mi 8.1
Ridgedale Alternative School Knoxville 4.5 mi 5.6
Bearden High School Knoxville 5.1 mi 7.6
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF WEST KNOXVILLE Knoxville 5.4 mi
WEST HILLS BAPTIST PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Knoxville 5.0 mi
Hardin Valley Middle School Knoxville 4.9 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 37931 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$91,284

Median Home Value

$317,100

Median Rent

$1,450/mo

Population

31,149

College Educated

44.8%

Homeownership

71%

Avg Commute

22.8 min

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

38.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Karns Elementary has a median household income of $91,284. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $317,100, with a median rent of $1,450/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Nolan Elementary School Signal Mountain, TN 7.8
Northshore Elementary School Knoxville, TN 7.8
Donelson Elementary Arlington, TN 7.7
Liberty Elementary Shelbyville, TN 7.7
Mosheim Elementary Mosheim, TN 7.7
Shelby Oaks Elementary Memphis, TN 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Karns Elementary

What grades does Karns Elementary serve?

Karns Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Karns Elementary?

Karns Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 1,047 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Karns Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Karns Elementary is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Karns Elementary rank in TN?

Karns Elementary is ranked #332 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is Karns Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Karns Elementary has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Karns Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Karns Elementary has 36.6% math proficiency and 33.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Karns Elementary a charter school?

No, Karns Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Karns Elementary a Title I school?

No, Karns Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,466/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
1,047
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
67
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Knox County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Knox County
District Enrollment
60,604
Schools in District
94
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,187
District Rank
#11 of 88

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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