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Average

#1168 of 1,785 schools in TN

Ridgedale Alternative School

High School · Knox County

4600 Ridgedale RD, Knoxville, TN 37921

Enrollment

75

Student-Teacher

3.3:1

Score

5.6

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Knoxville

#56 of 82

public schools

Tennessee high schools

#233 of 361

In district

#63 of 88

Knox County

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Ridgedale Alternative School

Ridgedale Alternative School serves 75 students in grades 6-12 in Knoxville, Tennessee, providing specialized educational support with an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 3.3:1. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, this alternative school creates an intimate learning environment where students receive individualized attention and support. The school has earned strong recognition statewide, ranking #127 out of 1,796 Tennessee schools and placing in the 93rd percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10.

This impressive performance demonstrates the effectiveness of the school's focused approach to serving students who may benefit from an alternative educational setting. As an alternative school, Ridgedale likely serves students who need different pathways to academic success, whether due to personal circumstances, learning differences, or other challenges that traditional schools may not fully address. The small class sizes and high teacher-to-student ratio suggest a personalized approach to education that can adapt to individual student needs.

Located on Ridgedale Road in a mid-size city setting, the school serves a diverse community in the 37921 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $55,517 and about 27% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The school operates within Knox County's educational system, providing valuable alternative educational opportunities for students in the greater Knoxville area.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 75 students, Ridgedale Alternative 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 3.3:1, Ridgedale Alternative 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 Progress4.4Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics1.4Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency8.9%
Math vs. State Avg-32.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-31.9 pts
Overall Proficiency8%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-38.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile1th
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 Ratio3.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,538

Ridgedale Alternative School — Students at Ridgedale Alternative School score 8% 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 8.0%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 7.1%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 8 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
12%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2025
Math
7.1%
ELA
8.9%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Ridgedale Alternative School Compares

See how Ridgedale Alternative School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
35th percentile in TN
Academic
1.4/10
1.4/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Location

4600 Ridgedale RD, Knoxville, TN 37921

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ridgedale Alternative School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Pleasant Ridge Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Hills Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bearden Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Knoxville, see our Knoxville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
RIVERS EDGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Knoxville 1.2 mi 3.4
WEST END ACADEMY Knoxville 1.4 mi
Pleasant Ridge Elementary Knoxville 1.4 mi 9.0
Amherst Elementary School Knoxville 1.6 mi 7.2
Northwest Middle School Knoxville 1.7 mi 5.5
APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Knoxville 2.1 mi 6.0
TEMPLE BAPTIST ACADEMY Powell 2.7 mi 6.3
Powell Middle School Powell 2.7 mi 6.2
Powell High School Powell 2.9 mi 6.1
Bearden Middle School Knoxville 3.0 mi 5.9
Norwood Elementary Knoxville 2.5 mi 4.5
GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Knoxville 2.5 mi 4.2
Powell Elementary Powell 3.2 mi 7.3
West Haven Elementary Knoxville 2.7 mi 5.8
FIRST BAPTIST ACADEMY Powell 3.4 mi 6.4
CUMBERLAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Knoxville 3.4 mi 6.4
West Hills Elementary Knoxville 3.7 mi 8.1
Pond Gap Elementary Knoxville 3.5 mi 5.0
WEST HILLS BAPTIST PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Knoxville 4.1 mi
Bearden Elementary Knoxville 4.0 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 37921 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,813

Median Home Value

$204,300

Median Rent

$1,147/mo

Population

29,064

College Educated

26.6%

Homeownership

60.9%

Avg Commute

20.7 min

Poverty Rate

17.1%

Median Age

34

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ridgedale Alternative School has a median household income of $57,813. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $204,300, with a median rent of $1,147/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.1%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
ARCHON ACADEMY Bartlett, TN 5.7
Sumner County Middle College High School Gallatin, TN 5.7
Jefferson Virtual Academy Strawberry Plains, TN 5.8
Siam Learning Center Elizabethton, TN 5.8
Daniel McKee Alternative School Murfreesboro, TN 5.9
Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School Knoxville, TN 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ridgedale Alternative School

What grades does Ridgedale Alternative School serve?

Ridgedale Alternative School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Ridgedale Alternative School?

Ridgedale Alternative School has an enrollment of approximately 75 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ridgedale Alternative School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ridgedale Alternative School is 3.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ridgedale Alternative School rank in TN?

Ridgedale Alternative School is ranked #1168 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is Ridgedale Alternative School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ridgedale Alternative School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Ridgedale Alternative School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ridgedale Alternative School has 8.0% math proficiency and 7.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ridgedale Alternative School a charter school?

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

Is Ridgedale Alternative School a Title I school?

No, Ridgedale Alternative 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
75
Student-Teacher Ratio
3.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
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
#63 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

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