Average
#1037 of 1,785 schools in TN
Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School
High School · Tennessee Schools for the Deaf
2725 Island Home BLVD, Knoxville, TN 37920
Enrollment
63
Student-Teacher
3.3:1
Score
5.9
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
63
Student-Teacher
3.3:1
Score
5.9
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Knoxville
#46 of 82
public schools
Tennessee high schools
#191 of 361
In district
#2 of 2
Tennessee Schools for the Deaf
School environment
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School
Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School serves 63 students in grades 7-12 in Knoxville, offering specialized education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. This unique public institution stands out with an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 3.3:1, supported by 19 full-time equivalent teachers who provide individualized attention that's particularly crucial for students with hearing differences. The school has earned impressive recognition, ranking 12th out of 1,796 schools statewide and receiving a strong 7.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating, placing it in the 99th percentile among Tennessee schools.
This outstanding performance reflects the school's specialized approach to deaf education and its commitment to helping students achieve academic success through tailored instruction methods. As a specialized institution, Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School provides essential services that extend far beyond traditional academics, focusing on communication skills, independence, and preparation for post-secondary success. The small enrollment allows for highly personalized learning experiences that address each student's unique needs and learning style.
The school is situated in Knox County's 37920 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $58,430 and 34% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating a supportive community environment in Knoxville's mid-size city setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 63 students, Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper 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, Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper 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
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Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School — Students at Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)
Based on 5 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: 4.8/10.
How Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School Compares
See how Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 5% (2019) to 5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2021).
Location
2725 Island Home BLVD, Knoxville, TN 37920
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. L N STEM Academy (rated 8.5/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Austin East High/Magnet (rated 6.7/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Fulton High School (rated 5.3/10, 3.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Knoxville, see our Knoxville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee School For Deaf Elementary School Knoxville | 0.0 mi | 6.3 |
| MEAD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Knoxville | 0.4 mi | 7.0 |
| South Doyle Middle School Knoxville | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Technology Academy Knoxville | 1.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Dogwood Elementary Knoxville | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
| South Knox Elementary Knoxville | 1.7 mi | 9.0 |
| Vine Middle/Magnet Knoxville | 1.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Austin East High/Magnet Knoxville | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| KNOXVILLE BAPTIST CHRISTIAN Knoxville | 2.2 mi | — |
| SMART KIDS ELC Knoxville | 2.1 mi | — |
| Green Magnet Math And Science Academy Knoxville | 2.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Fair Garden Family/Community Center Knoxville | 2.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Mooreland Heights Elementary Knoxville | 3.0 mi | 4.8 |
| L N STEM Academy Knoxville | 2.7 mi | 8.5 |
| BEREAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Knoxville | 3.6 mi | 7.2 |
| FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Knoxville | 3.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Belle Morris Elementary Knoxville | 3.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Chilhowee Intermediate Knoxville | 3.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Emerald Academy Knoxville | 3.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Fulton High School Knoxville | 3.6 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 37920 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,348
Median Home Value
$231,300
Median Rent
$1,092/mo
Population
43,509
College Educated
34.2%
Homeownership
60.1%
Avg Commute
22.4 min
Poverty Rate
17.5%
Median Age
35.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School has a median household income of $61,348. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $231,300, with a median rent of $1,092/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.5%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Daniel McKee Alternative School Murfreesboro, TN | 5.9 |
| Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy Knoxville, TN | 6.0 |
| Jefferson Virtual Academy Strawberry Plains, TN | 5.8 |
| Siam Learning Center Elizabethton, TN | 5.8 |
| Smyrna West Alternative School Smyrna, TN | 6.1 |
| ARCHON ACADEMY Bartlett, TN | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School
What grades does Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School serve?
Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School?
Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School has an enrollment of approximately 63 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School?
The student-teacher ratio at Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper 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 Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School rank in TN?
Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School is ranked #1037 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School's MySchoolScout rating?
Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School has 6.7% math proficiency and 10.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School a charter school?
No, Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School a Title I school?
No, Tennessee School for the Deaf Upper School is not currently a Title I school.
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
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 63
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 3.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Type
- special_ed
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Knox County
- Phone
- (865) 579-2500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tennessee Schools for the Deaf- District Enrollment
- 134
- Schools in District
- 3
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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