Below Average
#1581 of 1,785 schools in TN
Little Milligan
Elementary School · Carter County
4226 Hwy 321, Butler, TN 37640
Enrollment
89
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
89
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Tennessee elementary schools
#897 of 1,002
In district
#15 of 15
Carter County
School environment
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Little Milligan
Little Milligan serves 89 students in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Butler, Tennessee, offering an intimate educational environment with a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio and 7 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public elementary school has earned recognition as a strong performer, ranking #282 out of 1,796 schools statewide and placing in the 84th percentile among Tennessee elementary schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10. The school's small size allows for personalized attention and close student-teacher relationships, creating a family-like atmosphere where every child is known and supported.
Located on Highway 321 in Carter County, Little Milligan serves a rural community where the median household income is $49,965 and homes have a median value of $118,700. The surrounding area has a population of 3,517 residents, with 16% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 12.6%. Little Milligan provides elementary education in Tennessee's beautiful rural landscape, where students can benefit from both quality academics and the close-knit community character that defines small-town schooling in the region.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 89 students, Little Milligan 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.
Located in a rural area, Little Milligan 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
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Little Milligan — Students at Little Milligan score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TN EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from TN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.6/10.
How Little Milligan Compares
See how Little Milligan performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 12% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 32% (2021).
Location
4226 Hwy 321, Butler, TN 37640
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Little Milligan may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Valley Forge Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Elizabethton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Freedom Trail Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Elk Park), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bethel Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Sugar Grove), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Butler, see our Butler schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Unaka Elementary Elizabethton | 7.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Cloudland Elementary School Roan Mountain | 8.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Cloudland High School Roan Mountain | 8.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Unaka High School Elizabethton | 8.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Hampton Elementary Hampton | 8.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Hunter Elementary Elizabethton | 8.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Hampton High School Hampton | 9.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Doe Elementary Mountain City | 10.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Bethel Elementary Sugar Grove | 9.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Valley Forge Elementary Elizabethton | 9.6 mi | 8.8 |
| Cranberry Middle Elk Park | 12.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Freedom Trail Elementary Elk Park | 12.0 mi | 8.7 |
| ELIZABETHTON ACADEMY Elizabethton | 10.2 mi | — |
| East Side Elementary Elizabethton | 10.4 mi | 7.5 |
| RAINBOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Elk Park | 12.5 mi | — |
| Harold McCormick Elementary Elizabethton | 11.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Siam Learning Center Elizabethton | 12.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Carter County Online Academy Elizabethton | 12.1 mi | 5.5 |
| T A Dugger Junior High School Elizabethton | 11.9 mi | 6.5 |
| EAST TN CHRISTIAN HOME & ACADEMY Elizabethton | 12.1 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 37640 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$47,404
Median Home Value
$154,400
Median Rent
$674/mo
Population
3,343
College Educated
16.1%
Homeownership
84.3%
Avg Commute
40.9 min
Poverty Rate
16.5%
Median Age
54
Community Profile
The community surrounding Little Milligan has a median household income of $47,404. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $154,400, with a median rent of $674/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.5%. The average commute in the area is 41 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Kenton Elementary School Kenton, TN | 4.3 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Loretto, TN | 4.5 |
| Sharps Chapel Elementary Sharps Chapel, TN | 4.5 |
| Coker Creek Elementary Tellico Plains, TN | 4.6 |
| LENOIR CITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lenoir City, TN | 4.6 |
| LESTER COON ADVENTIST SCHOOL Apison, TN | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Little Milligan
What grades does Little Milligan serve?
Little Milligan serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Little Milligan?
Little Milligan has an enrollment of approximately 89 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Little Milligan?
The student-teacher ratio at Little Milligan is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Little Milligan rank in TN?
Little Milligan is ranked #1581 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is Little Milligan's MySchoolScout rating?
Little Milligan has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Little Milligan?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Little Milligan has 17.0% math proficiency and 29.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Little Milligan a charter school?
No, Little Milligan is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Little Milligan a Title I school?
No, Little Milligan is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (937/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 89
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Carter County
- Phone
- (423) 768-4400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Carter County- District Enrollment
- 4,630
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,526
- District Rank
- #15 of 15
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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