Below Average
#1465 of 1,785 schools in TN
South Polk Elementary
Elementary School · Polk County
P. O. Box 100 RD, Ild Fort, TN 37362
Enrollment
341
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
341
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Tennessee elementary schools
#837 of 1,002
In district
#7 of 7
Polk County
Academic performance
7.4 / 10
Strong
About South Polk Elementary
South Polk Elementary is a regular public school nestled in the rural outskirts of Ild Fort, Tennessee. Serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students, South Polk offers an educational experience with a student body of 341 and a supportive teacher-student ratio of 17.1:1. The dedicated teaching staff includes 20 full-time equivalent teachers who work to foster academic growth among the diverse group of learners.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.7 out of 10, placing it in the 39th percentile statewide according to its state ranking at #1097 out of 1796 schools. While South Polk Elementary has room for improvement in academic performance, with proficiency rates of 39% in ELA/Reading and 44% in Math, the school is focused on student development across all subjects. South Polk Elementary stands as a pillar within its rural setting near Ild Fort, providing an essential educational foundation for young students.
The community values the school’s role in nurturing the minds of future leaders and innovators.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, South Polk Elementary 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
South Polk Elementary — Students at South Polk Elementary score 41% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)
Based on 7 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: 3.3/10.
How South Polk Elementary Compares
See how South Polk Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 39% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 43.2% (2025).
Location
P. O. Box 100 RD, Ild Fort, TN 37362
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Polk Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Michigan Avenue Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Cleveland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Park View Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Cleveland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Blythe-Bower Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Cleveland), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ild Fort, see our Ild Fort schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SHENANDOAH BAPTIST ACADEMY Cleveland | 5.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Taylor Elementary School Cleveland | 4.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Valley View Elementary School Cleveland | 5.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Polk Innovative Learning Academy Benton | 7.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Chilhowee Middle School Benton | 7.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Benton Elementary Benton | 7.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Park View Elementary School Cleveland | 7.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Michigan Avenue Elementary School Cleveland | 8.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Lake Forest Middle School Cleveland | 7.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Oak Grove Elementary School Cleveland | 8.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Polk County High School Benton | 9.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Waterville Community Elementary School Cleveland | 9.0 mi | 6.6 |
| LUDIC SPECTRUM CENTER Cleveland | 11.0 mi | — |
| Mayfield Elementary Cleveland | 10.5 mi | 6.1 |
| BOWMAN HILLS SCHOOL Cleveland | 10.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Blythe-Bower Elementary Cleveland | 10.2 mi | 6.8 |
| SHENANDOAH RANCH ACADEMY Calhoun | 12.0 mi | — |
| Bradley County Virtual School Cleveland | 10.7 mi | 6.7 |
| North Cleveland GOAL Academy Cleveland | 10.7 mi | — |
| Ocoee Middle School Cleveland | 10.8 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 37362 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$49,432
Median Home Value
$116,600
Median Rent
$717/mo
Population
3,409
College Educated
13.4%
Homeownership
92%
Avg Commute
25.7 min
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Median Age
43.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Polk Elementary has a median household income of $49,432. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $116,600, with a median rent of $717/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Beacon College Preparatory Memphis, TN | 4.8 |
| DuPont Elementary School Chattanooga, TN | 4.8 |
| G.R. Stuart Elementary Cleveland, TN | 4.8 |
| Hattie Cotton Elementary Nashville, TN | 4.8 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Jackson, TN | 4.8 |
| Maynardville Elementary Maynardville, TN | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Polk Elementary
What grades does South Polk Elementary serve?
South Polk Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend South Polk Elementary?
South Polk Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 341 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Polk Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at South Polk Elementary is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Polk Elementary rank in TN?
South Polk Elementary is ranked #1465 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is South Polk Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
South Polk Elementary has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Polk Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Polk Elementary has 44.3% math proficiency and 39.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Polk Elementary a charter school?
No, South Polk Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Polk Elementary a Title I school?
No, South Polk Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,209/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 341
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (423) 338-4512
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Polk County- District Enrollment
- 2,131
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,066
- District Rank
- #7 of 7
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
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.