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Average

#174 of 284 private schools in TN

Signal Mountain Christian School

Elementary School

808 KEY HULSE RD, Signal Mountain, TN 37377

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on TN statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

89

Student-Teacher

7.4:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Tennessee elementary schools

#73 of 106

About Signal Mountain Christian School

Signal Mountain Christian School serves 89 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. With 12 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 7.4:1, allowing for personalized attention and small class sizes that many families find appealing. The school has earned recognition with a MySchoolScout rating of 9.1 out of 10 and ranks #82 out of 284 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 72nd percentile among Tennessee schools.

This strong performance reflects the school's commitment to elementary education during these foundational years. Signal Mountain Christian School operates as a regular public school in Hamilton County, serving families in an affluent suburban community. The surrounding 37377 zip code area is characterized by well-educated families, with 59% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a median household income of $111,228.

The low poverty rate of 5.8% and median home values of $438,200 indicate this is an established, prosperous neighborhood. The school benefits from its location in Signal Mountain's large suburban setting, where families have chosen to invest in a community that values education and provides a stable environment for children's academic and personal development.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 89 students, Signal Mountain Christian 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 7.4:1, Signal Mountain Christian 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.

As a private school, Signal Mountain Christian School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$9,792
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$9,525
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.97x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
74%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$3.2M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 89 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Signal Mountain Christian School compares to the 2 public schools in Signal Mountain, TN

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.4:1
This School
vs
17.4:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
89
This School
vs
1,055
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.0
This School
vs
7.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 88.8% vs 0%
Black 2.2% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.2% vs 0%
Asian 1.1% vs 0%
Signal Mountain Christian School Signal Mountain Public Avg

All Schools in Signal Mountain

School Rating
Signal Mountain Christian School (this school) 6.0
Nolan Elementary School 7.8
Signal Mountain Middle/High School 8.0

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in TN.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C- 1.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,050
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 5.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 21%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B+ 6.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 89
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in TN

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 88.8%
Two or More 5.6%
Black 2.2%
Hispanic 2.2%
Asian 1.1%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

808 KEY HULSE RD, Signal Mountain, TN 37377

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Signal Mountain Christian School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Normal Park Museum Magnet School (rated 7.9/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Chattanooga), which scores notably higher. Another option is Nolan Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST PETERS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Chattanooga), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Signal Mountain, see our Signal Mountain schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Thrasher Elementary School Signal Mtn 1.7 mi 5.9
Red Bank High School Chattanooga 2.8 mi 5.1
Red Bank Middle School Chattanooga 2.9 mi 4.3
Nolan Elementary School Signal Mountain 2.8 mi 7.8
Alpine Crest Elementary School Chattanooga 3.2 mi 6.5
Red Bank Elementary School Chattanooga 3.6 mi 5.3
Signal Mountain Middle/High School Signal Mountain 3.2 mi 8.0
BEREAN ACADEMY Hixson 3.6 mi 5.1
ST PETERS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Chattanooga 4.0 mi 7.8
ST JUDE SCHOOL Chattanooga 4.2 mi 6.9
Hixson Elementary School Hixson 3.9 mi 5.0
Rivermont Elementary School Chattanooga 4.7 mi 4.9
DuPont Elementary School Chattanooga 4.7 mi 4.8
BAYLOR SCHOOL Chattanooga 5.4 mi 5.4
THE BRIGHT SCHOOL Chattanooga 5.5 mi 6.9
Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts Chattanooga 5.8 mi 7.4
Normal Park Museum Magnet School Chattanooga 6.0 mi 7.9
Hixson Middle School Hixson 5.0 mi 5.8
Hixson High School Hixson 5.1 mi 6.6
STEM School Chattanooga Chattanooga 5.8 mi 8.7

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 Signal Mountain Christian 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
ST DOMINIC CATHOLIC SCHOOL Kingsport, TN 6.0
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Smyrna, TN 6.1
Maynard Elementary Knoxville, TN 6.1
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Lawrenceburg, TN 5.9
CHRIST LIFE ACADEMY Lawrenceburg, TN 5.8
FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Knoxville, TN 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Signal Mountain Christian School

What grades does Signal Mountain Christian School serve?

Signal Mountain Christian School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Signal Mountain Christian School?

Signal Mountain Christian School has an enrollment of approximately 89 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Signal Mountain Christian School?

The student-teacher ratio at Signal Mountain Christian School is 7.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Signal Mountain Christian School rank in TN?

Signal Mountain Christian School is ranked #174 out of 284 private schools in TN.

What is Signal Mountain Christian School's MySchoolScout rating?

Signal Mountain Christian School has a composite rating of 6.0 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.

Is Signal Mountain Christian School a private school?

Yes, Signal Mountain Christian School is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Signal Mountain Christian School a religious school?

Signal Mountain Christian School has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (526/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
89
Gender Split
45% M / 55% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Christian, no specific denomination
School Day
6 hours
Days Per Year
175 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
HAMILTON
Data Year
2022–2023

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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