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Needs Improvement

#1720 of 1,785 schools in TN

Laurel Elementary

Elementary School · Johnson County

300 Gentry Creek RD, Laurel Bloomery, TN 37680

Enrollment

76

Student-Teacher

9.5:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee elementary schools

#967 of 1,002

In district

#5 of 8

Johnson County

About Laurel Elementary

Laurel Elementary serves 76 students from kindergarten through sixth grade in the small rural community of Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee. With just 8 full-time equivalent teachers, this intimate school maintains an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, allowing for personalized attention and close relationships between educators and students. The school has earned impressive recognition, ranking #117 out of 1,796 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 94th percentile with a solid MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10.

This strong performance reflects the school's commitment to quality education in a small-school environment where every student is known and valued. Located on Gentry Creek Road in Johnson County, Laurel Elementary serves a tight-knit community where the median household income is $46,203 and the poverty rate sits at 11.2%. The area's median home value of $342,000 suggests a stable residential community that values education and invests in their children's future.

Laurel Elementary offers families the advantages of rural education — small class sizes, individualized attention, and a strong sense of community — while maintaining academic standards that rank among Tennessee's top performers. The school sits in the heart of Laurel Bloomery, a small Tennessee community with just 454 residents who take pride in their local elementary school.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 76 students, Laurel Elementary 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, Laurel Elementary 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.

Located in a rural area, Laurel 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 Progress1.8Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.32 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.2%
Math vs. State Avg-27.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.6 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected-1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$7,229

Laurel Elementary — Students at Laurel Elementary score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 28.7%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 34.2%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 7 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
49.5%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2025
Math
12.1%
ELA
38.2%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Laurel Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.5/10
4th percentile in TN
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
1.8/10
Below average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Location

300 Gentry Creek RD, Laurel Bloomery, TN 37680

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Laurel Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Chilhowie Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby Chilhowie), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mabel Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Zionville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Watauga Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Abingdon), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Laurel Bloomery, see our Laurel Bloomery schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Damascus Middle Damascus 5.8 mi 6.4
MOUNTAIN YOUTH ACADEMY Mountain City 5.7 mi 6.7
Johnson Co High School Mountain City 6.4 mi 5.0
Johnson Co Middle School Mountain City 6.4 mi 4.2
Holston High Damascus 6.5 mi 8.2
Mountain City Elementary Mountain City 7.0 mi 3.4
Rhea Valley Elementary Meadowview 8.8 mi 5.9
Roan Creek Elementary Mountain City 10.7 mi 4.2
Doe Elementary Mountain City 12.4 mi 3.5
Meadowview Elementary Meadowview 14.0 mi 7.2
Glade Spring Middle Glade Spring 14.7 mi 7.0
Patrick Henry High Glade Spring 14.9 mi 7.7
Watauga Elementary Abingdon 13.3 mi 7.4
Mabel Elementary Zionville 16.8 mi 8.4
Blue Ridge Elementary Warrensville 14.4 mi 6.2
Abingdon High Abingdon 15.3 mi 6.3
Chilhowie Middle Chilhowie 17.2 mi 8.6
E.B. Stanley Middle Abingdon 15.5 mi 8.3
Chilhowie High Chilhowie 17.4 mi 6.4
Chilhowie Elementary Chilhowie 17.9 mi 8.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 37680 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$45,942

Median Home Value

$367,100

Population

594

College Educated

3.5%

Homeownership

74.9%

Poverty Rate

16%

Median Age

33.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Laurel Elementary has a median household income of $45,942. It is a community where 4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $367,100. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Arrow Academy of Excellence Memphis, TN 3.7
Clairfield Elementary Clairfield, TN 3.2
Kenton Elementary School Kenton, TN 4.3
Little Milligan Butler, TN 4.3
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Loretto, TN 4.5
Coker Creek Elementary Tellico Plains, TN 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Laurel Elementary

What grades does Laurel Elementary serve?

Laurel Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Laurel Elementary?

Laurel Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 76 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Laurel Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Laurel Elementary is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Laurel Elementary rank in TN?

Laurel Elementary is ranked #1720 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is Laurel Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Laurel Elementary has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Laurel Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Laurel Elementary has 28.7% math proficiency and 34.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Laurel Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Laurel Elementary a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Elevated (902/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
76
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Johnson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Johnson County
District Enrollment
4,788
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,198
District Rank
#5 of 8

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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