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Very Good

#328 of 1,785 schools in TN

Top 18% in state

Nolan Elementary School

Elementary School · Hamilton County

4435 Shackleford Ridge RD, Signal Mountain, TN 37377

Enrollment

727

Student-Teacher

17.7:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Signal Mountain

#2 of 2

public schools

Tennessee elementary schools

#248 of 1,002

In district

#8 of 80

Hamilton County

Academic performance

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Nolan Elementary School

Nolan Elementary School serves 727 students in grades PreK through 5 in Signal Mountain, Tennessee, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10, the school ranks #106 out of 1,796 Tennessee elementary schools, placing it in the 94th percentile statewide. The school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement across all core subjects.

Students excel particularly in science, with 89% scoring proficient or above, while 82% reach proficiency in mathematics and 76% in English Language Arts and reading. These strong results reflect the dedication of 41 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain a manageable student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1. Families choosing Nolan Elementary benefit from the school's location in an affluent, well-educated community.

The surrounding 37377 ZIP code area has a median household income of $111,228 and a low poverty rate of just 5.8%. With 59% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and median home values of $438,200, the neighborhood reflects a community that highly values education. Nolan Elementary School sits in a rural setting near the town of Signal Mountain in Hamilton County, offering students a peaceful learning environment while remaining accessible to the greater Chattanooga area.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Nolan Elementary 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.46 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.9Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency86.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency84.6%
Math vs. State Avg+46.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+43.8 pts
Overall Proficiency85%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected+44.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile99th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,002

Nolan Elementary School — Students at Nolan Elementary School score 85% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 81.7%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 75.5%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 7 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
84%
ELA
71%
2021*
Math
75%
ELA
71%
2025
Math
86.1%
ELA
84.6%

* 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: 7.9/10.

How Nolan Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
82th percentile in TN
Academic
9.9/10
9.9/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Location

4435 Shackleford Ridge RD, Signal Mountain, TN 37377

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nolan Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Normal Park Museum Magnet School (rated 7.9/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Chattanooga), with a very similar rating. Another option is ST PETERS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Chattanooga), with a very similar rating. Additionally, THE BRIGHT SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Chattanooga), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Signal Mountain, see our Signal Mountain schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Signal Mountain Middle/High School Signal Mountain 0.4 mi 8.0
Thrasher Elementary School Signal Mtn 2.0 mi 5.9
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Signal Mountain 2.8 mi 6.0
Red Bank Elementary School Chattanooga 4.1 mi 5.3
Red Bank High School Chattanooga 4.1 mi 5.1
Red Bank Middle School Chattanooga 4.2 mi 4.3
BAYLOR SCHOOL Chattanooga 5.2 mi 5.4
Alpine Crest Elementary School Chattanooga 5.5 mi 6.5
SCHOLZE CENTER Chattanooga 6.5 mi
Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts Chattanooga 6.5 mi 7.4
ST PETERS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Chattanooga 6.0 mi 7.8
Normal Park Museum Magnet School Chattanooga 6.7 mi 7.9
THE BRIGHT SCHOOL Chattanooga 6.6 mi 6.9
Rivermont Elementary School Chattanooga 6.4 mi 4.9
ST JUDE SCHOOL Chattanooga 6.3 mi 6.9
BEREAN ACADEMY Hixson 6.2 mi 5.1
Hixson Elementary School Hixson 6.6 mi 5.0
Lookout Valley Elementary School Chattanooga 8.0 mi 5.5
GIRLS PREPARATORY SCHOOL Chattanooga 7.7 mi 7.3
DuPont Elementary School Chattanooga 6.9 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 37377 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$115,959

Median Home Value

$483,800

Median Rent

$1,389/mo

Population

16,819

College Educated

59.8%

Homeownership

86%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

4.4%

Median Age

43.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Nolan Elementary School has a median household income of $115,959. It is a well-educated community where 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $483,800, with a median rent of $1,389/month. The local poverty rate of 4.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Alpha Elementary Morristown, TN 7.8
Rush Strong Elementary Strawberry Plains, TN 7.8
Soddy Elementary School Soddy Daisy, TN 7.8
Spring Hill Elementary Spring Hill, TN 7.8
Trenton Elementary Trenton, TN 7.8
Donelson Elementary Arlington, TN 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nolan Elementary School

What grades does Nolan Elementary School serve?

Nolan Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Nolan Elementary School?

Nolan Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 727 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nolan Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Nolan Elementary School is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nolan Elementary School rank in TN?

Nolan Elementary School is ranked #328 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is Nolan Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nolan Elementary School 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 Nolan Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nolan Elementary School has 81.7% math proficiency and 75.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Nolan Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Nolan Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Nolan Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (526/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Signal Mountain). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
727
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Hamilton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Hamilton County
District Enrollment
45,790
Schools in District
81
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,785
District Rank
#8 of 80

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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