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Needs Improvement

#1688 of 1,786 schools in TN

The Howard School

High School · Hamilton County

2500 South Market ST, Chattanooga, TN 37408

Enrollment

1,501

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

3.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#1,688 of 1,786

In Chattanooga

#42 of 47

public schools

In district

#75 of 80

Hamilton County

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The Howard School

3.6/10

High School in Chattanooga · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Howard Connect Academy

6.5/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Battle Academy for Teaching and Learning

7.9/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About The Howard School

The Howard School is a public high school in Chattanooga, TN, part of Hamilton County. The Howard School serves approximately 1,501 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. The Howard School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,688 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for The Howard School show 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.8 pts below district
  • This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 6.4
  • TN avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

58% of students at The Howard School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.2Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.5 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.8Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency14.4% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-31.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.4 pts
Overall Proficiency11% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected-29.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
College Readiness3.9Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate67%
AP Participation4.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,785
Chronic Absenteeism57.8%

The Howard School — Students at The Howard School score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 14.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 16.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 TCAP)

Based on 29 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2010
Math
32%
ELA
18%
2011
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
14%
2013
Math
32%
ELA
17%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
0.5%
ELA
12%
2016
Math
0.5%
ELA
12%
2017
Math
2%
ELA
9%
2018
Math
4%
ELA
15%
2019
Math
4%
ELA
15%
2020*
Math
3%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
7.5%
2025
Math
8%
ELA
14.4%

* 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: 5.2/10.

How The Howard School Compares

See how The Howard School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.6/10
6th percentile in TN
Academic
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.2/10
Average
Environment
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.4
Sports
12
6 boys' · 6 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
99 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
57.8%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
4.4% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics12sports offered
6 boys'·6 girls'·12 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2500 South Market ST, Chattanooga, TN 37408

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering The Howard School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences Upper (rated 8.2/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy (rated 8.2/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GIRLS PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chattanooga, see our Chattanooga schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Howard Connect Academy Chattanooga 0.1 mi 6.5
Battle Academy for Teaching and Learning Chattanooga 0.7 mi 7.9
CHATTANOOGA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chattanooga 1.1 mi 3.8
Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy Chattanooga 1.2 mi 3.7
Tommie F. Brown Academy Chattanooga 1.3 mi 5.1
Chattanooga Charter School of Excellence High Chattanooga 1.4 mi
MONTESSORI SCHOOL Chattanooga 1.6 mi 6.9
Clifton Hills Elementary School Chattanooga 1.7 mi 7.5
Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences Upper Chattanooga 1.8 mi 8.2
Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences Lower Chattanooga 1.8 mi 8.6
Chattanooga Charter School of Excellence Chattanooga 1.7 mi 3.6
Chattanooga Charter School of Excellence Middle Chattanooga 1.8 mi 3.0
Montessori Elementary at Highland Park Chattanooga 1.9 mi 4.6
Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy Chattanooga 1.9 mi 8.2
Chattanooga Preparatory School Chattanooga 2.0 mi 3.6
East Side Elementary School Chattanooga 1.9 mi 7.4
GIRLS PREPARATORY SCHOOL Chattanooga 2.5 mi 7.3
East Lake Academy Of Fine Arts Chattanooga 2.4 mi 5.6
Orchard Knob Middle School Chattanooga 2.3 mi 4.5
East Lake Elementary School Chattanooga 2.6 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 37408 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$91,000

Median Home Value

$460,000

Median Rent

$1,338/mo

Population

3,029

College Educated

58.6%

Homeownership

32.9%

Poverty Rate

8.6%

Median Age

31.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
South Doyle High School Knoxville, TN 3.6
Fulton High School Knoxville, TN 3.7
John Overton High Nashville, TN 3.7
North Side High School Jackson, TN 3.8
Northeast High Clarksville, TN 3.8
Shelbyville Central High School Shelbyville, TN 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about The Howard School

What grades does The Howard School serve?

The Howard School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend The Howard School?

The Howard School has an enrollment of approximately 1,501 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at The Howard School?

The student-teacher ratio at The Howard School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does The Howard School rank in TN?

The Howard School ranks #1,688 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is The Howard School's MySchoolScout rating?

The Howard School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at The Howard School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, The Howard School has 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is The Howard School a charter school?

No, The Howard School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is The Howard School a Title I school?

No, The Howard School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
48 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
58 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,501
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
99
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Hamilton County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
57.8%
4-Year Graduation
67.0%

District

Hamilton County
District Enrollment
45,790
Schools in District
81
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,785
District Rank
#75 of 80

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