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
Enrollment
1,047
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Karns Elementary — Students at Karns Elementary score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
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 7 test records from TN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.1/10.
How Karns Elementary Compares
See how Karns Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 36% (2019) to 49.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 44.1% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (865) 539-7767
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Knox County- District Enrollment
- 60,604
- Schools in District
- 94
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,187
- District Rank
- #11 of 88
Other Schools in This District
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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