Average
#1011 of 1,785 schools in TN
South Fentress Elementary School
Elementary School · Fentress County
5018 Wilder RD, Grimsley, TN 38565
Enrollment
595
Student-Teacher
18.6:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
595
Student-Teacher
18.6:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Tennessee elementary schools
#631 of 1,002
In district
#3 of 5
Fentress County
Academic performance
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About South Fentress Elementary School
South Fentress Elementary School is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of Grimsley, Tennessee. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, South Fentress offers a comprehensive education to its 595 enrolled students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 18.6:1. The dedicated teaching staff includes 32 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support the diverse needs of their students.
South Fentress Elementary School has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10, ranking it at the 27th percentile among Tennessee schools with a state rank of #1304 out of 1796 schools. While academic performance shows areas for improvement—with 33% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 28% proficiency in Math—the school excels in Science (44%) and Social Studies (43%), demonstrating strengths in those subjects. South Fentress Elementary School stands as a cornerstone of the local community, providing educational opportunities to students in this remote rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, South Fentress Elementary 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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South Fentress Elementary School — Students at South Fentress Elementary School score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.3%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 6.5/10.
How South Fentress Elementary School Compares
See how South Fentress Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 32.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 42.4% (2025).
Location
5018 Wilder RD, Grimsley, TN 38565
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Fentress Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wilson Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Crawford), which scores notably higher. Another option is Burks Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Monterey), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pine Haven Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Jamestown), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Grimsley, see our Grimsley schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Clarkrange High School Clarkrange | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| HERITAGE ACADEMY Monterey | 10.0 mi | 7.0 |
| MONTEREY MENNONITE SCHOOL Monterey | 9.7 mi | — |
| Wilson Elementary Crawford | 9.6 mi | 8.9 |
| Fentress Co Adult High School Allardt | 11.3 mi | — |
| Allardt Elementary Allardt | 11.3 mi | 4.6 |
| York Elementary Jamestown | 12.8 mi | 6.5 |
| North Cumberland Elementary Crossville | 13.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute Jamestown | 14.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Pine Haven Elementary Jamestown | 14.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Stone Memorial High School Crossville | 18.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Monterey High School Monterey | 16.1 mi | 5.3 |
| INEZ WRENN SDA SCHOOL Crossville | 19.2 mi | — |
| Stone Elementary Crossville | 19.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Burks Elementary Monterey | 16.2 mi | 8.3 |
| The Phoenix School Crossville | 20.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Cumberland County High School Crossville | 21.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Glenn Martin Elementary Crossville | 21.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Sunbright School Sunbright | 18.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Pleasant Hill Elementary Pleasant Hill | 21.5 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 38565 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,458
Population
1,106
College Educated
5.4%
Homeownership
95.6%
Poverty Rate
7.5%
Median Age
47.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Fentress Elementary School has a median household income of $51,458. It is a community where 5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The local poverty rate of 7.5% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Avoca Elementary Bristol, TN | 6.0 |
| Briarwood School Camden, TN | 6.0 |
| Cane Ridge Elementary Antioch, TN | 6.0 |
| Dover Elementary Dover, TN | 6.0 |
| Fifth Consolidated School Dyersburg, TN | 6.0 |
| Glenview Elementary Nashville, TN | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Fentress Elementary School
What grades does South Fentress Elementary School serve?
South Fentress Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend South Fentress Elementary School?
South Fentress Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 595 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Fentress Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Fentress Elementary School is 18.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Fentress Elementary School rank in TN?
South Fentress Elementary School is ranked #1011 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is South Fentress Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Fentress Elementary 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.
What are the test scores at South Fentress Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Fentress Elementary School has 28.7% math proficiency and 34.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Fentress Elementary School a charter school?
No, South Fentress Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Fentress Elementary School a Title I school?
No, South Fentress Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,219/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 595
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Fentress County
- Phone
- (931) 863-3131
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fentress County- District Enrollment
- 2,280
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,594
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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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