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#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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics1.4Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Math vs. State Avg-34.2 pts
Overall Proficiency8%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-37.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile1th
College Readiness7.9Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment10.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio3.3:1

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%).

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 6.7%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 10.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 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
5%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2025
Math
5%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.9/10
42th percentile in TN
Academic
1.4/10
1.4/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
10.0/10
Above average

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.

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
7th – 12th
Enrollment
63
Student-Teacher Ratio
3.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Type
special_ed
Setting
Midsize City
County
Knox County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Tennessee Schools for the Deaf
District Enrollment
134
Schools in District
3
District Rank
#2 of 2

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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