Skip to main content

Average

#776 of 1,786 schools in TN

Top 43% 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

6.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#776 of 1,786

In Benton

#2 of 4

public schools

In district

#5 of 7

Polk County

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Polk County High School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Polk County High School

6.8/10

High School in Benton · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Benton Elementary

6.6/10

2.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Chilhowee Middle School

7.5/10

2.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Polk County High School

Polk County High School is a public high school in Benton, TN, part of Polk County. Polk County High School serves approximately 446 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Polk County High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #776 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for Polk County High School show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 7.6
  • TN avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

Polk County High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.57 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.1% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.4% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-12.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.6 pts
Overall Proficiency37% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected+0.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
College Readiness8.9Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,066
Chronic Absenteeism20.6%

Polk County High School — Students at Polk County High School score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 31.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 45.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 TCAP)

Based on 30 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
22%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
27.1%
ELA
46.4%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Polk County High School Compares

See how Polk County High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
57th percentile in TN
Academic
6.6/10
Average
Growth
5.0/10
Average
Environment
5.9/10
Average
Sports
17
8 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.6%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics17sports offered
8 boys'·9 girls'·17 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Walker Valley High School (rated 6.2/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Cleveland), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Central High School (rated 6.2/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Englewood), with a comparable rating. 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 6.6
Chilhowee Middle School Benton 2.2 mi 7.5
Polk Innovative Learning Academy Benton 2.3 mi 3.5
SHENANDOAH RANCH ACADEMY Calhoun 4.2 mi
South Polk Elementary Ild Fort 9.7 mi 7.2
Mountain View Elementary Etowah 9.9 mi 6.0
Calhoun Elementary Calhoun 9.6 mi 6.9
Etowah Elementary Etowah 10.2 mi 7.4
SHENANDOAH BAPTIST ACADEMY Cleveland 9.6 mi 6.2
Charleston Elementary School Charleston 9.9 mi 7.4
VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Riceville 11.7 mi 5.4
Taylor Elementary School Cleveland 10.6 mi 6.8
Walker Valley High School Cleveland 10.7 mi 6.2
LUDIC SPECTRUM CENTER Cleveland 11.3 mi
Michigan Avenue Elementary School Cleveland 11.5 mi 8.0
Park View Elementary School Cleveland 11.8 mi 8.2
Riceville Elementary Riceville 14.1 mi 7.1
Central High School Englewood 14.1 mi 6.2
North Lee Elementary School Cleveland 12.6 mi 8.1
Oak Grove Elementary School Cleveland 13.1 mi 6.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Central High School Bruceton, TN 6.8
NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL Chattanooga, TN 6.8
Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute Jamestown, TN 6.7
Northview Senior Academy Kodak, TN 6.7
Smith County High School Carthage, TN 6.7
Clay County High School Celina, TN 6.9

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 ranks #776 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is Polk County High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Polk County High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Polk County High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Polk County High School has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.6%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%

District

Polk County
District Enrollment
2,131
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,066
District Rank
#5 of 7

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.