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Average

#826 of 1,785 schools in TN

Top 46% in state

Richard Yoakley School

High School · Knox County

4415 Washington PIKE, Knoxville, TN 37917

Enrollment

105

Student-Teacher

5.5:1

Score

6.5

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Knoxville

#31 of 82

public schools

Tennessee high schools

#138 of 361

In district

#36 of 88

Knox County

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Richard Yoakley School

Richard Yoakley School serves 105 students in grades 6 through 12 as an alternative high school in Knoxville, Tennessee. This specialized educational environment maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5.5:1 with 19 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for highly individualized attention and support that alternative school students often need to succeed. Despite its alternative designation, Richard Yoakley School demonstrates strong performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks impressively at #120 out of 1,796 schools statewide, placing it in the 93rd percentile among all Tennessee schools.

This ranking suggests the school effectively serves its student population and helps them achieve academic progress within its specialized program structure. The school's small size creates an intimate learning community where students can receive personalized guidance and support. With fewer than 20 teachers serving just over 100 students, educators can develop meaningful relationships with each student and tailor instruction to individual needs and circumstances.

Richard Yoakley School is located on Washington Pike in Knox County's 37917 ZIP code area, a mid-size city neighborhood where the median household income is $47,245 and median home values reach $165,400. The surrounding community includes diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, with 30% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 105 students, Richard Yoakley School 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.

While current test scores at Richard Yoakley School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5.5:1, Richard Yoakley School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.51 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics1.5Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency8.6%
Reading vs. State Avg-32.2 pts
Overall Proficiency9%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-37.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
College Readiness7.9Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,538

Richard Yoakley School — Students at Richard Yoakley School score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 7.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 7.9%
School
State
40.8%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2025
ELA
8.6%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How Richard Yoakley School Compares

See how Richard Yoakley School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
54th percentile in TN
Academic
1.5/10
1.5/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Location

4415 Washington PIKE, Knoxville, TN 37917

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Richard Yoakley School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Austin East High/Magnet (rated 6.7/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Central High School (rated 6.4/10, 2.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Fulton High School (rated 5.3/10, 2.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Knoxville, see our Knoxville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
BEREAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Knoxville 0.8 mi 7.2
Spring Hill Elementary Knoxville 0.7 mi 5.1
Fair Garden Family/Community Center Knoxville 1.8 mi 5.7
Austin East High/Magnet Knoxville 2.1 mi 6.7
Whittle Springs Middle School Knoxville 1.7 mi 5.0
Belle Morris Elementary Knoxville 2.0 mi 5.8
Holston Middle School Knoxville 1.8 mi 6.3
Shannondale Elementary Knoxville 2.4 mi 6.5
KNOXVILLE BAPTIST CHRISTIAN Knoxville 2.5 mi
Chilhowee Intermediate Knoxville 2.2 mi 6.4
NATURES WAY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Knoxville 2.6 mi 6.2
Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Technology Academy Knoxville 2.7 mi 5.0
SMART KIDS ELC Knoxville 2.9 mi
Central High School Knoxville 2.5 mi 6.4
Fulton High School Knoxville 2.7 mi 5.3
GARDEN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Knoxville 2.7 mi 7.7
Tennessee Virtual Academy Knoxville 2.7 mi 3.8
Tennessee Virtual Junior High School Knoxville 2.7 mi 2.3
Vine Middle/Magnet Knoxville 3.3 mi 4.9
Ritta Elementary Knoxville 3.2 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 37917 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,232

Median Home Value

$189,100

Median Rent

$1,063/mo

Population

25,738

College Educated

31.3%

Homeownership

48.1%

Avg Commute

21.8 min

Poverty Rate

19.3%

Median Age

39.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Richard Yoakley School has a median household income of $51,232. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $189,100, with a median rent of $1,063/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.3%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Hollis F. Price Middle College Memphis, TN 6.4
Bradley County Virtual School Cleveland, TN 6.7
Coffee County Virtual Academy Manchester, TN 6.7
Holloway High School Murfreesboro, TN 6.8
Middle College @ Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TN 6.8
Smyrna West Alternative School Smyrna, TN 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Richard Yoakley School

What grades does Richard Yoakley School serve?

Richard Yoakley School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Richard Yoakley School?

Richard Yoakley School has an enrollment of approximately 105 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Richard Yoakley School?

The student-teacher ratio at Richard Yoakley School is 5.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Richard Yoakley School rank in TN?

Richard Yoakley School is ranked #826 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is Richard Yoakley School's MySchoolScout rating?

Richard Yoakley School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Richard Yoakley School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Richard Yoakley School has 7.5% math proficiency and 7.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Richard Yoakley School a charter school?

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

Is Richard Yoakley School a Title I school?

No, Richard Yoakley School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,466/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
105
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Type
alternative
Setting
Midsize City
County
Knox County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Knox County
District Enrollment
60,604
Schools in District
94
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,187
District Rank
#36 of 88

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

Related reading

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