Excellent
#104 of 1,785 schools in TN
Top 6% in state
Mary Hughes School
Elementary School · Sullivan County
240 Austin Springs RD, Piney Flats, TN 37686
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Tennessee elementary schools
#89 of 1,002
In district
#3 of 15
Sullivan County
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Mary Hughes School
Mary Hughes School is a public elementary school in Piney Flats, TN, part of the Sullivan County. The school serves approximately 352 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 94.2th percentile among TN schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 40% proficiency in math, 0 points above the state average and 31% in reading/language arts, 10 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $84,894, where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Mary Hughes School 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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Mary Hughes School — Students at Mary Hughes School score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
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: 9.7/10.
How Mary Hughes School Compares
See how Mary Hughes School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 36% (2019) to 55.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 26% (2019) to 45.6% (2025).
Location
240 Austin Springs RD, Piney Flats, TN 37686
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mary Hughes School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Side Elementary (rated 9.7/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Johnson City), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lake Ridge Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Johnson City), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mountain View Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Johnson City), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Piney Flats, see our Piney Flats schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bluff City Elementary Bluff City | 4.5 mi | 6.5 |
| ST MARY'S SCHOOL Johnson City | 5.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Lake Ridge Elementary Johnson City | 5.0 mi | 8.8 |
| Central Elementary Johnson City | 6.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Siam Learning Center Elizabethton | 5.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Carter County Online Academy Elizabethton | 5.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Fairmont Elementary Johnson City | 6.3 mi | 7.1 |
| West Side Elementary Elizabethton | 6.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Elizabethton High School Elizabethton | 6.2 mi | 7.2 |
| T A Dugger Junior High School Elizabethton | 6.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Happy Valley Elementary Johnson City | 7.2 mi | 7.1 |
| EAST TN CHRISTIAN HOME & ACADEMY Elizabethton | 6.7 mi | — |
| Mountain View Elementary Johnson City | 7.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Indian Trail Middle School Johnson City | 6.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Happy Valley High School Elizabethton | 7.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Happy Valley Middle School Elizabethton | 7.4 mi | 6.1 |
| North Side Elementary Johnson City | 7.2 mi | 9.7 |
| CENTRAL BAPTIST PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN Johnson City | 7.3 mi | — |
| Towne Acres Elementary Johnson City | 6.8 mi | 7.3 |
| MUNSEY KINDERGARTEN Johnson City | 7.3 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 37686 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,894
Median Home Value
$306,300
Median Rent
$1,117/mo
Population
9,149
College Educated
36.1%
Homeownership
77.9%
Avg Commute
24.2 min
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Median Age
45
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mary Hughes School has a median household income of $84,894. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $306,300, with a median rent of $1,117/month. The local poverty rate of 5.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Cherokee Elementary Johnson City, TN | 8.7 |
| Crab Orchard Elementary Crab Orchard, TN | 8.7 |
| Hancock County Elementary Sneedville, TN | 8.7 |
| Mt Carmel Elementary Mt. Carmel, TN | 8.7 |
| North Sumner Elementary Bethpage, TN | 8.7 |
| Park View Elementary Cookeville, TN | 8.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mary Hughes School
What grades does Mary Hughes School serve?
Mary Hughes School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Mary Hughes School?
Mary Hughes School has an enrollment of approximately 352 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mary Hughes School?
The student-teacher ratio at Mary Hughes School is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mary Hughes School rank in TN?
Mary Hughes School is ranked #104 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is Mary Hughes School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mary Hughes School has a composite rating of 8.7 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 Mary Hughes School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mary Hughes School has 39.5% math proficiency and 31.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mary Hughes School a charter school?
No, Mary Hughes School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mary Hughes School a Title I school?
No, Mary Hughes School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 352
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Sullivan County
- Phone
- (423) 354-1835
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sullivan County- District Enrollment
- 8,082
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,468
- District Rank
- #3 of 15
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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