Very Good
#507 of 1,785 schools in TN
Top 28% in state
Polk County High School
High School · Polk County
7200 Highway 411 North, Benton, TN 37307
Enrollment
446
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
446
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Benton
#1 of 4
public schools
Tennessee high schools
#70 of 361
In district
#2 of 7
Polk County
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Polk County High School
Polk County High School is a regular public high school located in the rural community of Benton, Tennessee. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 446 and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.9:1, with 28 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Polk County High School is ranked at number 873 out of 1796 schools in Tennessee, placing it around the 51st percentile statewide.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.5 out of 10, indicating that there is room for improvement in several academic areas. Test scores show 40% proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, 19% proficiency or above in Math, 55% proficiency or above in Science, and 43% proficiency or above in Social Studies. While the school has some areas where it can grow academically, Polk County High School provides a strong foundation for its students within a supportive rural community.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Polk County High 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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Polk County High School — Students at Polk County High School score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
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 8 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: 8.8/10.
How Polk County High School Compares
See how Polk County High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 17% (2019) to 27.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 46.4% (2025).
Location
7200 Highway 411 North, Benton, TN 37307
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Polk County High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Central High School (rated 7.1/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Englewood), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Walker Valley High School (rated 5.8/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Cleveland), a more accessible option. For more schools in Benton, see our Benton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Benton Elementary Benton | 2.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Chilhowee Middle School Benton | 2.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Polk Innovative Learning Academy Benton | 2.3 mi | 5.3 |
| SHENANDOAH RANCH ACADEMY Calhoun | 4.2 mi | — |
| South Polk Elementary Ild Fort | 9.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Mountain View Elementary Etowah | 9.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Calhoun Elementary Calhoun | 9.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Etowah Elementary Etowah | 10.2 mi | 5.4 |
| SHENANDOAH BAPTIST ACADEMY Cleveland | 9.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Charleston Elementary School Charleston | 9.9 mi | 8.3 |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Riceville | 11.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Taylor Elementary School Cleveland | 10.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Walker Valley High School Cleveland | 10.7 mi | 5.8 |
| LUDIC SPECTRUM CENTER Cleveland | 11.3 mi | — |
| Michigan Avenue Elementary School Cleveland | 11.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Park View Elementary School Cleveland | 11.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Riceville Elementary Riceville | 14.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Central High School Englewood | 14.1 mi | 7.1 |
| North Lee Elementary School Cleveland | 12.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Oak Grove Elementary School Cleveland | 13.1 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 37307 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,953
Median Home Value
$187,800
Median Rent
$683/mo
Population
5,340
College Educated
12.2%
Homeownership
82.7%
Avg Commute
29.9 min
Poverty Rate
11%
Median Age
40.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Polk County High School has a median household income of $74,953. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $187,800, with a median rent of $683/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.0%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Nashville School Of The Arts Nashville, TN | 7.4 |
| Cascade High School Wartrace, TN | 7.5 |
| Gatlinburg Pittman High Gatlinburg, TN | 7.5 |
| GIRLS PREPARATORY SCHOOL Chattanooga, TN | 7.3 |
| KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School Nashville, TN | 7.6 |
| Mt Pleasant High School Mt. Pleasant, TN | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Polk County High School
What grades does Polk County High School serve?
Polk County High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Polk County High School?
Polk County High School has an enrollment of approximately 446 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Polk County High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Polk County High School is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Polk County High School rank in TN?
Polk County High School is ranked #507 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is Polk County High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Polk County High School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Polk County High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Polk County High School has 18.7% math proficiency and 40.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Polk County High School a charter school?
No, Polk County High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Polk County High School a Title I school?
No, Polk County High School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Benton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 446
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (423) 299-0078
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Polk County- District Enrollment
- 2,131
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,066
- District Rank
- #2 of 7
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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