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Below Average

#1467 of 1,786 schools in TN

Karns High School

High School · Knox County

2710 Byington Solway RD, Knoxville, TN 37931

Enrollment

1,341

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

4.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#1,467 of 1,786

In Knoxville

#59 of 82

public schools

In district

#66 of 88

Knox County

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Karns High School

4.8/10

High School in Knoxville · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ball Camp Elementary

7.4/10

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

Karns Middle School

4.2/10

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

About Karns High School

Karns High School is a public high school in Knoxville, TN, part of Knox County. Karns High School serves approximately 1,341 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Karns High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,467 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for Karns High School show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.2
  • TN avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

35% of students at Karns High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.4Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.72 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.4% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency48.2% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-17.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.4 pts
Overall Proficiency35% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected-12.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
College Readiness6.7Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate89%
AP Participation16.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,187
Chronic Absenteeism34.7%

Karns High School — Students at Karns High School score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 26.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 51.3% (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
32%
ELA
66%
2010
Math
41%
ELA
69%
2011
Math
50%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
58%
ELA
64%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
61%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
14%
ELA
38%
2016
Math
9%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
9%
ELA
36%
2018
Math
7%
ELA
38%
2019
Math
7%
ELA
38%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
34%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
34%
2025
Math
21.4%
ELA
48.2%

* 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: 2.4/10.

How Karns High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
18th percentile in TN
Academic
5.4/10
Average
Growth
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.0/10
Below Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.4
Sports
18
10 boys' · 8 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
89 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
16.2% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics18sports offered
10 boys'·8 girls'·24 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2710 Byington Solway RD, Knoxville, TN 37931

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Karns High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. THE EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF KNOXVILLE (rated 8.1/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hardin Valley Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hardin Valley Middle School (rated 7.7/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Knoxville, see our Knoxville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Ball Camp Elementary Knoxville 1.2 mi 7.4
Karns Middle School Knoxville 1.2 mi 4.2
Karns Elementary Knoxville 1.3 mi 5.2
GRACE COVENANT BAPTIST ACADEMY Knoxville 2.9 mi
TATES SCHOOL Knoxville 2.8 mi 7.0
Cedar Bluff Middle School Knoxville 3.1 mi 4.2
WEBB SCHOOL OF KNOXVILLE Knoxville 3.4 mi 5.5
Cedar Bluff Elementary Knoxville 3.2 mi 5.5
GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Knoxville 3.3 mi 4.2
THE EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF KNOXVILLE Knoxville 4.0 mi 8.1
Hardin Valley Middle School Knoxville 3.6 mi 7.7
Hardin Valley Academy Knoxville 3.6 mi 5.5
Hardin Valley Elementary Knoxville 3.9 mi 8.1
Amherst Elementary School Knoxville 4.1 mi 6.9
CEDAR SPRINGS WEEKDAY SCHOOL Knoxville 4.8 mi
MORNING STAR CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Knoxville 5.2 mi
Claxton Elementary Powell 5.2 mi 7.4
KNOXVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Knoxville 4.9 mi 6.3
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF WEST KNOXVILLE Knoxville 5.2 mi
Farragut Intermediate Knoxville 5.7 mi 7.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Sevier County High School Sevierville, TN 4.8
Stone Memorial High School Crossville, TN 4.8
Upperman High School Baxter, TN 4.8
Valor Flagship Academy Nashville, TN 4.8
Hunters Lane High Nashville, TN 4.7
Northwest High Clarksville, TN 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Karns High School

What grades does Karns High School serve?

Karns High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Karns High School?

Karns High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,341 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Karns High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Karns High School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Karns High School rank in TN?

Karns High School ranks #1,467 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is Karns High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Karns High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Karns High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Karns High School has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Karns High School a charter school?

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

Is Karns High School a Title I school?

No, Karns High School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,341
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
89
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Knox County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.7%
4-Year Graduation
89.0%

District

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

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